Mum's Day Socks

My mother seems to like my handknit socks (would she tell me otherwise?), so this is her second year to receive socks for Mother's Day (pair #1). I love how these socks came out. They fit well, the coral color is beautiful, and the lace pattern is airy enough for spring-into-summer weather.

For these socks I loosely followed Charlene Schurch's pattern for ribbed lace in her book, Sensational Knitted Socks. To dress up the k1pi rib at the top of the leg, I used a Channel Island cast-on. (I think Beth Brown-Reinsel gives the best description of this cast-on in her classic book, Knitting Ganseys.) The heel is Eye of Partridge, which has an interesting look to it and should wear well.

This was my first time using Louet's Gems. I love it! It is incredibly soft and has a good stretch. And the best part is, I bought two skeins thinking I'd need both, but used only one (with less than a foot to spare!), which means I can make myself a pair, too!

Stats:
Ribbed Lace socks (an 8-stitch repeat) in Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks
Louet Gems fine/sport weight (100% Merino wool), machine washable & dryable (although I always air dry flat)
2 circs, size 2, 48 sts
Next time: make the plain stockinette-stitch toe area a little longer