Sock Madness notes
Hows about a little bit of fair isle for round 2 of Sock Madness?
While the pattern refers to “black” and “contrast color” that is just to identify the color relative to the images in the pattern. You do not have to use black for your main color yarn. Your yarn color choices are up to you. However, you must use the main color for the cuff, heels and toes per the pattern.
The pattern allows for the use of multiple contrast colors but each contrast color used must be used for the full repeat of the pattern. There will be an example in the second post of this thread.

Yarn selection suggestions:
You will need at least two colors of yarn: a solid black and a brightly contrasting colored yarn (can be either a solid color or multicolored). As an alternative and for a striking different look, multiple contrasting solid colors can also be used in addition to the black, each one used for a single repeat of Pattern 2 (some good stash busting potential!).

Materials:
Yarn: (as shown) Malabrigo Sock, 100% Super wash Merino: 195 Black, 300 yds. or 68 g.
Malabrigo Sock, 100% Super wash Merino: 866 Arco Iris, 180 yds. or 40 g.

Submission Requirements:
1.The minimum size required for competition players is the Large (72 sts) size.
2.Minimum rounds of ribbing is 12.
3.Minimum repeats for length on the leg is 4. And minimum repeats for length on the foot is 4. For a total of 8 pattern repeats required per sock. You must mark your pattern repeats on at least one sock.
4.ALL required photos must be added to your project page. Never attach photos to your email unless specifically asked to do so by a mod.

Photo Requirements:
1.Your progress photo.
2.Your photo showing the socks on adult feet, or with blockers/faux feet and a measuring device showing they are at least the 9”/22.9cm minimum length (obviously this photo could be combined with 3 or 4 below).
3.A side view photo where all of (the side that is up of) both socks are visible in one photo.
4.A full front view -- we need to see clearly all of the fronts of both socks in one photo.

Designer Notes
Traditional ethnic patterns intrigue me and I am always on the lookout for new ones that can be adapted for knitting. I came across this pattern (in a larger stitch count version) thirty years ago in a Dover reprint publication of 17th century Transylvanian needlepoint patterns. I was immediately interested in this particular pattern with its strong diagonal lines plus alternating dark and light triangles. To get the pattern down to a manageable size that is suitable for socks, I had to shrink it down to a 12 stitch repeat that is worked in a standard Fair Isle manner. Since my contrasting yarn color-way reminded me of a deeply shaded forest glade and the pattern is a very old one, I have named these socks: Echoes from a Transylvanian Forest.

This top down sock employs two different Fair Isle patterns. A standard heel flap is made with side gussets. Stitch count is generous to allow for the natural pulling in of a Fair Isle fabric—no need to size up. Since they are knit throughout with 2 strands they are thick and cushy.

My notes:
Fair isle? ME????
Stranding has never been my forte.
Black? ME????
My vision is not what it used to be…

April 5.
Okay, so I don’t have to knit with black, and I am relieved. I chose my colors tonight and cast on. I don’t have any idea if I have the right number of stitches. Every time I tried to count to 72, I fell asleep, so that will just have to wait till morning.

April 8.
I came to a grinding halt yesterday. I had a question. Today, with some research time in the question thread:
It is okay to change needle size as I please, according to this post.
And so, I am making an executive decision today, at this moment. I am the captain of my soul socks! This is the master plan:
Size 1: Cuff
Size 2: Leg
Size 1: Heel, gusset, foot and toe

Time to start knitting again!!!!

Another point of interest:
The extra black stitch should be at the edges of the sole stitches, next to the instep. It will alternate back and forth from the beginning of the sole to the end of the sole as you work the gusset stitches.
Another statement of same issue:
While you are working the gusset, at the end of every round you’ll find that you’ll have two MC stitches at one end of the sole or the other. You will always have at least one MC stitch on either end of the sole.This “extra” MC stitch will get decreased away in the last gusset round (the one with the single decrease).

April 9.
At the end of the day, there are four foot repeats, and a row of black (well, white) stockinette in preparation for knitting the toe tomorrow.

Whew!!!

April 10.
The first sock is done! There is a lifeline where I planned to rip back to shorten the sock (it looks so very large!) but, when teowyn tried on the sock, she said that it didn’t seem too large after all. Unlike the Tardis, it is Bigger on the Outside.

I spent some time texting with Katherine in Germany today, sharing pictures with her.

She says, “Sometimes I wear my cotton anklets inside my socks anyway so I don’t have to wash the wool as often. Then my house crocs go on top of it all and that system has been working very well. You’d be proud of me, I’ve been fighting off this sore throat, so it hasn’t gotten bad at all. Just a mild congestion.”

Me: “The stranding makes it smaller on the inside than it looks on the outside.”

Katherine: “ Oh neat, like a comfy hug.”

Me: “Teowyn says that a comfy hug just about describes it.”

Katherine: “They are looking great.”

April 11.
Zipping along! I’m going to bed with half of the heel flap already done on the second sock.

April 13.
Finished the photo shoot at about 1:15 a.m. on April 13, following a marathon that included 4 episodes of Continuum, Fantasic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Dr. Strange.