This was a really fun test-knit for me as Katie invited me to knit one sock toe-up and the other sock cuff- down. It really goes to show how talented Katie is as a designer as she was able to provide two great options for interested knitters. On top of that, the sock has the perfect retro vibes that instantly make me think of staying cozy on cold winter nights.

• 105g / 213m of Haven Fibre Arts Eco DK – a DK weight (3) yarn (colour A: Longing)
• 10g / 25m of Estelle Yarns Superwash Merino DK – a DK weight (3) yarn (colour B: Black)
• Size 4 (3.50mm) knitting needles (I used Knitter’s Pride 100cm circulars)
• Size 5 (3.75mm) knitting needles (I used Knitter’s Pride 100cm circulars)

Pattern (Size XS) by Katie at Songbird Handmade

These socks have the perfect amount of slouch, and they owe it all to the Fisherman’s Rib stitch. It makes each stitch feel more plush, as you’re really only knitting into every second row. This might sound daunting and time consuming, but because these are DK weight socks, they still knit up very quickly, and you can soon settle into a rhythm for the stitch pattern. I wasn’t sure how the stitch would work for both the toe-up and cuff-down variations, but it tuns out it makes very little difference. If you look closely, you can see that the knit stitch forms a ‘V’ on the toe-up, but is inverted to look like an arrow on the cuff-down. It can make for a fun ‘Spot the Difference’ challenge!

I am trying really hard to use stash yarn and stay away from buying new yarn, so I ended up choosing this green and black pairing from my stash. It’s not a colour combination that I would normally gravitate toward, but it did grow on me by the end. To be truthful, it reminded me of Halloween and Frankenstein’s monster, but when paired with black leggings and an oversized sweater, these socks helped to make the perfect cozy day outfit. Do you have go-to outfits for different moods? I think as winter settles in, I will find myself reaching for these socks more and more.

As always, testing for Katie is a fantastic experience, as she facilitates a great group chat and is quick to respond to questions or concerns. It is also so nice to see everyone else’s projects and the colours they choose, as I always feel like I have colour indecision. How do you like to choose yarn for projects? Do you stash dive first or is that a perfect opportunity to go yarn shopping? I’d love to hear about your thought process.

Until next time, happy crafting!