3/12/13 Finished. I really like these socks, but feel a little sad. The weather is warming up and these are not socks one wears in warm weather, as the double strands of yarn mean these socks are extra toasty. They feel great on my feet and legs, though.

The difference in stockinette stitch v. the stranded pattern is enough that the gauge is a milliscrunch off in the toe and heel, but not enough so that if I were to make similar socks again that I’d go through much in the way of contortions to try to figure out how to maintain pattern in a short row. Possibly a challenge for another day.

3/9/13 Finished the first sock and couldn’t be more pleased. I decreased the top width by about a third when I finished the skull patterns and before I started the ribbing, and that seems to be enough to keep the sock up without garters. Happiness!

3/7/13 These socks are working out quite well and are making me so happy I could pop. I tried one on and showed it to my husband, who said that it looked like they were the stacked skulls of my enemies. Hence the change in name.

I need awesome knee socks, and I’ve been trying to get up the guts to make socks using stranded colorwork.

The pattern used on the front panel and the sides was inspired by the We Call Them Pirates hat and mittens.