single sock swaps

I participated in a little swap where you knit one sock, and then you send the sock, along with the leftover yarn, to your friend to knit the second sock.  Then there is a different person that will knit a sock for you.   Well I received my sock from my friend and I think it's gorgeous:

Even better?  It was the lovely Grumperina who knitted my sock for me:

The pattern is Leaf Lace Socks by Susan Lawrence from Vogue Knitting - The Ultimate Sock Book. The yarn was Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Poppy and while Grumperina used US #0 needles, I had to go up a couple of needle sizes to US #2 needles to get the same gauge:

This pattern was awesome - interesting enough to make it fun, easy enough to keep it fun.  Exactly the kind of pattern that I love to knit.  I love the picot cuffs, the pretty leaf pattern on the front of the sock, a difference lacy pattern on the back and the eye of partridge pattern for the heel:

I was so excited to get the first sock, that I finished the second one in a day.  Thank you so much Kathy!  You did a perfect job picking this for me.  I am so happy with it!:

I never really have a problem with Second Sock Syndrome.  In fact, I usually like working the second sock much more than the first since I've already figured out all the quirks and numbers from the first so the second sock goes much more smoothly.    After this little swap though, I totally get how fun it would be to just knit one sock and have someone else knit the second one for you.  Here's the one I'm sending to my friend:

The pattern is Uptown Boots from Interweave's Favorite Socks.  I knitted it with Koigu on US #2 needles:

Not as fancy as the one I got, but my friend wanted a pattern without a lot of lace so that her feet stayed warm in the cold winters that she gets.  I also sent her the book, a set of Harmony sock knitting needles and some chocolate.  I hope she likes it all:

Speaking of giveaways - I believe I have some yarn to giveaway.  Wow, thank you thank you thank you for leaving me  a whole heckuvalot of sweet comments in my last post!  I really appreciate it and do try to respond to everyone of them (except for e-mail addresses that don't seem to work - bummer!)  So my 4000th commenter was Merete.  She knits wonderful stranded sweaters, and fast too!  Kristie, who also knits quickly and beautifully, was randomly picked to win some yarn.  Yay!  Please go visit their sites and congratulate them for me.  Thanks again everyone!  You all sure make this blogging thing fun.   

Comments

[Sam]

Oooh, I think your recipient is very lucky indeed - a beautiful sock and a thoughtful bundle of goodies.

[grumperina]

It's a wonderful pair! I'm so glad I chose a pattern and yarn that you liked!

[Heather]

I was wondering who the lucky recipient of Grumperina's socks was going to be! It's so nice to actually find out.

I have my August Yarn Pirate Booty Club shipment waiting to turn into Uptown Boot Socks, they're making their way up the queue!

[Carrie]

What a great idea for a sock exchange! I love both of those patterns.

[adrienne]

Beautiful, beautiful socks!! What a great idea for a swap!

[Peggy]

The pink socks are very cute. She knit the perfect size! Your partner is going to love all her goodies.
Congrats to the winners!

[Miss Scarlett]

What a fun exchange! The socks for you are beautiful - I love that eye of partridge heel (though it looks more like peacock feathers to me). The tenacity to manage to replicate exactly the same sock - I find that quite impressive. I get a little headache just thinking about it...

Your friend is going to love her package - it's fantastic!

[carrieknits]

Both of your socks came out beautifully! I have to agree with you. I don't usually have second sock syndrome because I'm excited to have my pair finished and my second sock usually goes quicker (unless I didn't like the pattern, but then usually I didn't finish the firts sock anyways.

[Jeanne B.]

God, I LOVE that poppy color! That's the perfect pinky coral that I just love! Must get me some of that. Amazing socks, as always.

[Maud]

One would never think the socks are knitted on different sized needles! A beautiful pair. And the one getting your parcel will be a lucky one, it looks lovely!

[gilraen]

Awesome getting your sock to match Grumperina's so perfectly. :)

Georgeous swap parcel you sent on too, anyone would be delighted to get that sock etc :D

[Lin]

Great socks! Well done to the lucky winners of your draw too!

[Cybele]

What a great exchange! I've just joined my first ever swap and find it rather addictive - might find myself taking part in more.
I meant to comment on your last post: congratulations on your 4000th post! Your blog isn't only fun to read, I love looking at the photos too - they're a work of art in themselves.

[leslie]

i am so impressed that you already knit your mate!!! WOW!!! and yes, they are beautiful!
your pal is one lucky girl! love the sock and the entire package!

[Robyn]

Where did you find a single sock swap?

[Dipsy D.]

Your pal is certainly a very, very lucky girl!

[Elinor]

WHAT??? You're already done??? How do you do that??? The socks are beautiful - I admired the first one on grumperina's blog last week. And the socks you knit for your pal look pretty and warm too. I hope s/he likes them!

[stacey]

Wow, I am speechless. Your sock from the infamous Grumperina is positively gorgeous, interesting - and did I say gorgeous? Wow - nice. And the one you have made to send along is equally fabulous - what a great package you put together - the Harmony needles are so beautiful and generous!

[Stacey_CrimsonPurl]

Both pair of socks are lovely!
Of course your friend will love that wonderful package!! The needles alone would make me do flips! Haha! :op

I have seen that vogue ultimate sock book and its really nice!

[bellamoden]

Gorgeous socks! I can't believe you knit the mate in one day?!?! Dayyyyyyum. But of course, you were motivated!

[hpny knits]

the Uptown Boots sock looks great. I tried this and mine looked too open. I'll have to try it again.
you present a lovely package!

[Lisa]

I am still getting up the nerve to join another exchange. I was burned on one before so I am a little leery of doing another. You definitely had a couple of great experiences though, so maybe there's hope for me too! :)

[Ginger aka Beethoven]

Geez... you're so quick to knit up the socks!

Till now, Mum hasn't even done A sock!

[Nora]

Both socks are beautiful! Your pal is very, very lucky.

[Stacee]

I read about (what would be) your socks on Grumperina's blog just last week! I love them! Your pal is one lucky lady--I've had the uptown boot socks in my queue since I saw the book on your blog and HAD to buy it! :-)

[Kim]

Susan's patterns are always so nicely written and very pretty in the yarn that Grumperina chose.

VERY nice swap gift you sent!

[kim]

Lucky you - those socks are beautiful! And I'm sure your lucky pal will love her sock and goodies as well.

[Lolly]

The socks are just perfect! how fun to have a sock from Grumperina ;) and the one you made is lovely!

[Pensguys]

Oh, how fun!!!! How cool that Grumperina was your sock pal! And how lucky is your recipient. Those socks are high on my list too!

[Karen in Toledo]

What a wonderful swap!

Even bigger than that: Your beautiful blog is featured on Lime & Violet's Chum of the Day today!!!!
:-)

[Vicki]

I have serious problems with second sock syndrome, consider yourself lucky.

I love your sock photos; so beautiful.

[Marie]

How fun to have read about the sock on Grumperina's site and then to see it arrive and receive its mate here!

[robin]

That first pair of socks is especially pretty!

[Kristy]

You're such a fast knitter! Great job on the second sock.

Your swap pal is in for a treat!

[Jennie]

Fantastic sock exchange! Both you and Grumperina did such a beautiful job on the socks.
How sweet of you to make warm socks for your friend. :)

[KeanaLee]

Great package! Even greater socks, love them!

[Heather]

Lovely, lovely, how exciting to have La Grumperina knit a sck for you! And I can't believe (well, knowing you I can) that you finished #2 in a day!!

[monica]

Oooh, how cool that you got that sock! I'd last week.

[cactusneedles]

Great socks! How was the Uptown Boot sock to knit? It's been in my mind to knit for quite some time, but I haven't found the right yarn for them! Great job!!!

[Carolynn]

Great socks -- both received & sent! Swaps are so wonderful, aren't they?

[Stella]

Nice job matching gauge, Tiennie! I hope I can do as well. These pictures would make a great illustration of how differently people knit: "One of these socks was knit on 0s, and the other on 2s. Can you tell which?"

The color is fabulous and you both did a lovely job.

[nova]

I love how you non-chalantly say "I knit the second one in a day." You are too funny! Gorgeous socks!

[AJ]

Lucky you Tiennie! BEAUTIFUL socks! And your swap package to your pal is great! Especially the chocolate, LOL.

[Opal]

Beautiful socks! I feel the same way about the second sock too. All the kinks have been worked out and the knitting goes by so much more smoothly.

[Sheri]

Thanks for the sweet comment that you left on my blog about my Cobblestone Pullover. You are such an inspiration-and a terrific knitter.

[lynette]

i love your socks and saw the first one on Grumperina's blog. they look identical. what a great swap.

i think the sock you chose also is a wonderful pattern as well as the gifts you're sending. i'm sure they'll be much appreciated.

[Trish]

I remember seeing the first one on Grumperina's blog. :)
I like the sock you knit for your pal. I'm sure your she/he is going to love it.
I've never had second sock syndrome either. I always knit the second sock faster then the first.

[Sue]

What perfect socks. I love the uptown boot socks too, and the harmony needles look really great.

[~Kristie]

I won? Really? WOW!! And I thought just reading your blog was treat enough!

That is so cool that Kathy knitted your sock. I always find it interesting that gauge can vary that drastically. 0 to 2's? Wow!

Your sock swap person will LOVE what you've knit and pkg'd for her. Too fun.

[Ann]

The socks are lovely - love the poppy color of the Leaf Lace socks! This swap looks like a lot of fun.