Thimbleanna » Curious Cables

Curious Cables

January 24, 2010 on 10:21 pm | In Knitting | 54 Comments

A month ago, I read this post over at Karen’s and saw the prettiest cable socks ever! I commented and asked Karen if the pattern was available on Ravelry. Not yet, she said — it’s her own pattern and would I like to test it for her? Would I??? I jumped at the chance, as I’m a BIG fan of cables.

So, I set about test knitting and had the best time. I had big plans to be able to take the sock pictures in our pretty snow, but it’s been raining here and the snow is almost all gone. I was able to muster up enough for a little bitty snowman. With a little bitty hydrangea hat.

But I digress — we’re talking socks here! Karen’s pattern is beautifully written. It has several pictures (her socks are a much prettier blue than mine) and she writes the instructions for the cables three different ways — row-by-row, on a graph, and formula-like — so no matter what kind of “learner” you are, she has you covered.

The yarn I used is a Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock hand-dyed yarn in Cookies’ Deep Dark Secret colorway. I wanted a plain yarn so the cables would really stand out.

Thanks to MyDadLovesMeBestSister for being the sock model. We were taking pictures on top of this wall, then decided to hang her feet over the wall. When we did that, Mr. Snowman yelled “Wait for Me!” and jumped over the side. He managed to cling to the edge for approximately 7.3 seconds.

Poor little guy — he’s all melted now. But, the cables are still around and if you love them like I do, you can get Karen’s pattern here, on Ravelry. (And in case you’re wondering, I don’t get a bonus or anything — I just think these socks are darn cute!)

Oh, and I have one more teeny little recommendation for you. The Young Victoria. We saw it this afternoon and I loved it. It made me cry. Did I tell you, I loved it?

XOXO,
Anna

54 Comments

Gorgeous socks! And I just signed up for Ravelry because I want to be a sock knitting machine like Isabelle’s “K!”

Comment by molly — January 24, 2010 #
Great post Anna! I love those socks; they’re so pretty and I love cables, too.

I also love the little snowman and I’m so sad he’s melted. :( Poor little fella.

Ahhh… you make me laugh.

I so wanted to see Young Victoria and kept trying to make plans to go (there is a $6 matinee on Sundays) but it isn’t here any longer. DVD, I guess…

Comment by Rachel — January 24, 2010 #
Love the socks Anna. Again I wish I could knit. They look so warm and cozy. Very cute little snowman too. Poor guy.

Comment by Sharon — January 24, 2010 #
Can I say “ditto” to Sharon’s comment. Oh how I wish I could knit!!!

Comment by Julie Isa — January 24, 2010 #
gorgeous socks! I’ve only ever made one pair of socks, and they were not a great success, but I just might have to try again!

Comment by What Comes Next? — January 24, 2010 #
I love those cable socks!!
I have knitted lots of things, but never socks.

Comment by Miriam — January 25, 2010 #
I have socks waiting for me to finish. I’ve never done cables…too scary for me. Yours are beautiful.

Comment by wendy — January 25, 2010 #
Gorgeous pictures and socks! So clever! Did I say I love the colour?

I’ve got my head around knitting hats, but socks…?

Comment by nicolette — January 25, 2010 #
Wow Anna, thanks for the kind words!! Your socks turned out gorgeous :D You’re a great test knitter, too. I have to disagree with one thing, I think your socks are the prettier ones!

Comment by Karen — January 25, 2010 #
I love those socks… and I’m off to find the pattern! Thanks for the film recommendation – it’s one I’ve not seen.

Comment by Gina — January 25, 2010 #
Love the socks – had to join Ravelry to be able to get to that page. Dearie me – I can see more time being spent on the computer now!!

Love the snowman – poor wee thing. :o(

We saw The Young Victoria last year when it came out here and I cried too.

Comment by Anne — January 25, 2010 #
Oooh, and I bet they’re really warm too. It’s definitely handknit sock season!

Comment by dottycookie — January 25, 2010 #
Gorgeous! And your sock model has lovely feet…I can’t get over how imaginative you got taking pictures of her socked feet…very clever! LOL

Comment by Sew Create It - Jane — January 25, 2010 #
Just beautiful socks! Now all I would need to do is learn to knit.

Comment by Jackie — January 25, 2010 #
You did a great job on those socks. We have not even had enough snow this winter to make your little snowman – so cute.

Comment by Teresa — January 25, 2010 #
I’ve never knitted cables but have watched demos on some knitting shows on TV and think that someday I’ll be giving it a try. Got too many UFOs for the time being so not right away.

Comment by Connie W — January 25, 2010 #
Cute socks – you know I’ve dabbled in the sock making side of knitting, not sure it’s for me – but I do appreciate a great pair of socks, lol and your model is doing a lovely job. Mrs. Snowman looks like she’s ready to hit the town with her party hat – stylin :)

Hugs – Karen

Comment by Karen — January 25, 2010 #
I love this post! For so many reasons! The snowman, the yarn, the pattern, the humor. And to the commenters who say “I wish I could knit”, I say: “You can!” and “I wish I could teach you!” If you bring cupcakes, I’ll make a pot of tea and we’ll sit in the sunny window and knit and natter!
WendyBee

Comment by WendyBee — January 25, 2010 #
Very beautiful socks! I love cables and think solid colors are best for them, knit pretty good work Anna and Karen. Oh and your little snowman is sooooo cute. I’ve wanted to build a snowman the last couple of snows,but, ack too much work ~ too many hills, never though of a little guy, thanks Anna!!!

Comment by Shawn ; ) — January 25, 2010 #
The socks look so warm and cosy!! And you’re right……..the dark blue shows up the cables really well. I’d love to knit some socks and I will give it a go one day but I’m sure I’d end up with loose holes everywhere. I tried circular mittens once but I could only work it out to knit them inside-out!?
Teresa x

Comment by Teresa — January 25, 2010 #
You did make good on your promise to your sock friends! They look lovely, Anna. Have you learned to knit with one hand and blog with the other? Now that would be a good skill to have. LOL!

Comment by Cassie — January 25, 2010 #
Love those cabled socks! They are so gorgeous not even that adorable miniature snowman could steal my attention away. I’m still trying to understand basic sock construction and not ready for cables, but some day I will. I love your creativity in the way you take photos.

Comment by Stacy — January 25, 2010 #
Socky doo dah! Those are beautiful. If I were a mini snowman I would definitely want a hydrangea hat.

Comment by Emma — January 25, 2010 #
great sock pictures.
love your snowman and his little hydrangea hat!!
and MDLMBS has some cute sock model feet goin’ on there… don’ let your crazy BIL get wind of that, he might be worried about some handsome, sock knitter, in need of a new sock model whisking her off her sock model feet and carrying her away..
i’m going to go now, and work on my socks, and my mini rock-man with his little palm frond hat.

Comment by brigette — January 25, 2010 #
Love the socks and baby snowman. those socks are gorgeous. Awesome job, Anna!

Comment by Jen — January 25, 2010 #
gorgeous socks— as for the snowman , you should have stuck him in the freezer :-)

Comment by periwinkle — January 25, 2010 #
Your photoshoot was the best! Well, and your socks, of course.

Comment by Ali — January 25, 2010 #
Hi Anna,
Utterly gorgeous socks!! I love the shade of blue you have chosen – it looks very rich.

Comment by sandra — January 25, 2010 #
Cables are super cool, yes, but they are HARD. Good on you for getting these socks together so damn fast and testing out that pattern. They’re super hot!

Comment by finnyknits — January 25, 2010 #
Gorgeous socks Anna! and that snowman was too darn cute *smile* toni xxx

Comment by toni — January 25, 2010 #
Love your socks Anna!!! Very clever you :o). I’m knitting a pair of socks too …. I’ve done a whole row so far and I’ve only been working on them on and off (ok, mostly off) for 6 months :o).
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Comment by Joy — January 26, 2010 #
You are the sock master for sure Anna. They turned out fabulous. And I was just wondering, did the snowman get a proper burial? And one more thing, there wasn’t any harmful treatment of snowmen during your photoshot was there? Cause that one pic of him hanging on precariously sure looks like you were walking a fine line with humane treatment lol!

Comment by Penny — January 26, 2010 #
These socks are darling! I love all of the cables. That rice look great, too. And now I’m off to check out the Spanish rice recipe, since I can NEVER find a Spanish rice recipe that tastes like a mexican restaurant’s rice.

Comment by MichelleB — January 26, 2010 #
Iam so loving those pictures with all that blue and the cable socks are scrumptious. I have never actually made cable socks, they seem so time consuming. Love the little itty bitty snowman :)

Comment by Raina — January 26, 2010 #
Wow – those are seriously beautiful socks. I have never knitted any, I know I don’t have the brain for it, so well done you. x

Comment by Kitty — January 26, 2010 #
Hi Anna,
Your socks are wonderful… love the cables! And the color is beautiful.

Thank you so much for the card. It was such a lovely surprise! You put a smile on my face.

Your brown rice looks yummy and I think I have everything in the house to make it… maybe tonight!? I love rice!! Rice loves my hips!!

Now that mouse house is my kind of thing!! I want one!! Do you remember my fairy door that sat on the molding? It’s at our other house and I haven’t been able to go into that house yet… but soon! I’ll have to move it to this house so I can enjoy my fairies again.

Love to you Anna!
Joni

Comment by joni possin — January 26, 2010 #
Love them! Knitting is one craft I am not so adept at but this has made me want to give it another try…

Jennifer :)

Comment by Jennifer — January 26, 2010 #
Those are simply too pretty to hide in shoes! The color is perfect.

Comment by nanette — January 26, 2010 #
Pretty, pretty socks. Wish I could wrap my brain around knitting, but so far – no… You really did a great job. They are gorgeous!

Comment by Elaine/MuddlingThrough — January 26, 2010 #
Hate to inject a note of negativity, but speaking as the mother of a sock-making machine – do you actually need any more socks?

Or is that not the point?

(Do I need any more books, you ask???)

Comment by Isabelle — January 26, 2010 #
Oh, my! I have to learn how to knit socks! They are just beautiful. I cannot wait to see The Young Victoria. I’m sure the hubs will take me…….Ahahahahahaha! I’m just kidding. I’ll be going myself. ;)

Comment by Karin — January 26, 2010 #
OOOH, those socks are so scrumptious!!

Comment by meggie — January 27, 2010 #
They’re beautiful! I can wear wool socks for about a month and a half out of each year, but I don’t care, I always like to have at least one set of socks going. I don’t have any on the needles right now, so…I may have to make a small purchase..the pattern and some blue yarn.

You and Mr. Snowman did a wonderful job.

Comment by Caroline — January 27, 2010 #
Very pretty, you cable it beautiful xoxoxoxo Clarice

Comment by clarice — January 27, 2010 #
Lovely socks, lovely colour, lovely photographs! And a lovely teeny tiny wee snowman!
I have a recommendation for you – Japanese film “Departures” – winner of the 2009 Best Foreign Film Oscar and the one that made me cry last week – beautifully shot, great characters….

Next trip to Scotland, you’ll have a full list of my favourite cafes!

Comment by Di — January 27, 2010 #
Beautiful Socks!!!!

Comment by Jewels — January 27, 2010 #
What great socks – and that is a perfect pairing of yarn and pattern. That is some great sock photography too, I always think that’s really tricky to do. Of course maybe if I wasn’t trying to photograph my own feet………..

Comment by rohanknitter — January 27, 2010 #
Oh Anna you really are funny! I’m giggling away at Mr Snowman climbing over the wall to be in the photo! Problem is, it’s distracting me from the socks – they are beautiful by the way! Lucy x

Comment by Lucy Locket-Pocket — January 29, 2010 #
What pretty socks…I am a cable knit freak….I would wear it 24-7, if others wouldn’t think I had totally lost my mind.

Comment by Dandelion Quilts — January 30, 2010 #
Fabulous cable socks!
I want to see Young Victoria too!

Jody

Comment by Jody — January 30, 2010 #
Oooh, I loved that movie, too. Bonus was the husband liked it as well. He usually stays away from chick flicks.

And fabulous socks! I believe this is the year to get myself into a knitting class just to figure out socks. I’ve read a simple sock pattern several times and I can’t for the life of me, figure it out.

Comment by Jade — January 31, 2010 #
How and when do you get so much done??? I LOVE those socks!

Comment by Anne — February 1, 2010 #
these turned out just lovely, anna!
it’s been too long since i’ve been here! as usual, you’ve been up to some seriously cute stuff!
hope you’re doing well!
m-

Comment by melly- — February 2, 2010 #
Great socks, Anna! You really have an eye for posing!

Comment by May Kristin — February 8, 2010 #