Finally!! These lovely socks have been on my sock needles since last winter……..can you believe it?? They whispered to me every now and then………..sat there making me feel guilty and even then they were ignored. I am great for whipping thru the first sock, but then my cheating heart gets me into trouble, when the boredom sets in with the second one. Although I love the socks……I am happy that they are finished.
Pattern: Marguerite’s Old Shale Socks
Yarn: Lang Jawoll
Needles: Size 1 bamboo dpts.
Even though I have some pretty yummy sock yarns waiting to be knit, I made myself finish the 2 pair that had sat most of the summer, before I would allow myself to contemplate the next sock.
(I am trying to stay focused……trying, I tell ya)
I wavered over which sock yarn to start on next, but at the end of the day, this lovely Opal Silk yarn won out. After seeing these socks on Tracy’s blog, I allowed myself to set on a mission to find this yarn, as it is not available in the states (not that I could find anyways)
Now the question: This opal yarn recommends using a 2.5mm (US2) needle and the pattern has you cast on 60 stitches, which is what Tracy followed. One thing I really really hate is to be able to feel the stitches on the bottom of my feet, so I almost always knit with #1’s. Do you think that the opal yarn with #2’s would make the stitches loose enough to feel? Would I be better off using #1’s and 72 stitches? A conundrum……..I’m looking forward to hearing what has worked best for you all when using Opal yarn. I love this yarn so much that I want to be sure that I love the socks too 🙂
The Woolen Rabbit 
I had originaly thought I’d knit my Opals on size 1.5 but since they were in use, I used my 2’s. And after washing, they were perfect. The yarn blossomed a bit in washing. I do so love them. Have my second pair on the needles, also on 2, because it did work so well the first time.
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Oh no! You’re a Princess and the pea! I would use 1’s and 72 because you want them to wear forever;-)
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I used 1’s on another self patterning sock yarn and it changed the pattern. Next to socks knit on 2’s it was a different yarn. I’m using 2’s on my current Opal wip.
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hi darlink…. did you miss me?
I am glad that you doggie had the worm removed before any real trouble.
We are talking more seriously about a dog. ( we’ve had some robberies in the neighborhood, and Bernie works 1.5 hours away)
I hope you missed me, I did so miss you…..I come here to be soothed!
vi
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Hmm. I always do opal on 1’s and 72. Of course, with the doktorfisch socks, it was too wide. Go figure. Just when you think you have things figured out!
Is that koigu? KOIGU SOCKS? I drool.
Love all your opal! Enjoy them. And I hate to say it, but swatch.
Icky.
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What a surprise to see your Old Shale socks finished. They look great. Hope you enjoy wearing them.
I’ve knit a lot of Opal, but never the Opal silk. The few Opals I knit on 2s blossomed and are OK, but the also stretched out when washed.
Most of my Opals are knit on 1s, which gives a very nice fabric and wears forever. With the silk content, I would definitely use the 1s.
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Nice socks and so artfully displayed! 🙂
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I think you would be fine with the 2’s, and done a lot faster, too!
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Kim Kim Kim. You know you won’t be happy with the stitches on 2’s. Do the ones. No question. Don’t listen to those people, they’re LA-zeee.
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Look at all those different answers! Now that’s really got you going hasn’t it? 😉
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I’m a fan of using zero’s on Opal. I love a tight gauge and feel that it makes for a longer wearing sock.Of course,you should know that i’m a loose knitter. Do a swatch if you are not sure.
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