I finished the socks I was working on. They're Ravenclaw socks--sort of. Knitpicks Essential comes in a color called "Shoreline Twist", which is a twist of dark blue and brown (which under certain lights could be called chocolate, but is serviceable as a Ravenclaw bronze).
I tried a few experiments with these. I love my handknit socks, but I wanted to see if I could get more cushion in them. I knit the bottom of the heel and the ball of the foot in heel stitch. It's definitely thicker, but I'm not sure if I'd call it more cushioned. I also knit the arch of the foot in ribbing, at the suggestion of someone over on LiveJournal. I have high arches, so the idea is that the ribbing will help the sock hug the arches better. (It'd be nice if I could figure out a way to knit in arch support, but no luck so far.)
If they look inside out, it's because they are. All of the heel stitch is more comfortable that way. I actually wear a lot of my handmade socks inside out--if the sole wasn't knit at a tight enough gauge, the purl bumps bother my feet.
It's good to get those finished--I've been working on them since September. Now my brain is clear to start on my Christmas knitting.
There's a problem with that, though--I also have this big research paper for Daoism I can really no longer ignore. I can't believe we've only got five weeks of class left. PANIC!
