First and foremost: Dear Claire, OMG the sock book was awesome. Our mailing place misplaced and we just now got it. Thank you thank you thank you!
Also thank you to the awesome person who sent the poodle mug! Sorry, I had the name written down, but somehow I can’t find it.
A few days ago I’ve got an email from Laura in which she pretty much challenged me to make the Monkey Socks. I said that they looked too scary and that there was a big gulf between socks with holes and whatever this complicated thing is. She said, and I quote,
Not complicated or skeery! I promise!
You already know how to knit and purl and yarn over and k2tog.. you can do this. It’s just putting it in the right order.
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Aha.
Well, once the challenge is issued and accepted, there is nothing left to do but to go for it. (Click on Images for larger version.)

Gordon's manly feet with the yarn wound and stuck into a plastic bag with corners cut and yarn ends threaded through. Doesn't tangle that way.
Reading the instructions:
Oh Dear God in Heaven, what is this? Why is this?
This will never work.
Six days later:
It wasn’t that hard once I knew what I was doing. The issue that I have with them is that on ssk, my stitches twist. It has to do with the way I was taught to knit (it’s a south-Russia variation of the Eastern), so I have to remember to untwist them after decrease. This, of course, didn’t dawn on me until the third repeat, sigh.
So there we go – Monkey socks in progress.









They look good!
Totally need to come up with new challenge socks for you now.
What book did you get?
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/2-at-A-Time-Socks/Melissa-Morgan-Oakes/e/9781580176910/?itm=1&USRI=two+socks
Ohhh nice. I’ve told myself no more knitting books until I knit things from the books I have, or I’d be sorely tempted.
pretty pretty!
Wow – they’s are gorgeous! And the yarn is gorgeous!
I can’t tell why they’re called monkey socks exactly, but I suppose it’s irrelevant.
Very nice!
The color is so pretty! I admire those who knit. I am sooo knitting challenged.
and such pretty feet you got
Oooh, pretty yarn. Pls post the finished products! x
Oooo I like these socks. I can’t knit. I desperately want to but 1. my cats eat the yarn and 2. every attempt stretches very wide
Is there where we comment that Gordon has nice balls?