Fly fishing on the west coast means a lot of time spent standing in cold water. When sports socks get wet, they get cold and clammy – making for a frustrated and cold fisherman. But when you have a knitting wife, there must be a solution!
Mr. Kate has never asked for socks before, as he rarely wears them in the house. So when I took this project upon myself I wasn’t sure what he would think. Once he got to try it on as the leg was being knit, he couldn’t wait for me to finish.
I used Possum Merino from New Zealand. This is a possum/merino/silk/nylon blend which is quite reasonable in price and gives good yardage, I was able to do two socks, men’s size 12, from one and a quarter skeins. The yarn is available at Fun Knits, although it is not on the website currently.
The yarn was lovely, but it took me a while to get into the groove with it. The suggested needle size made way too floppy a fabric, so I had to experiment with gauge. I settled on a 2.5mm needle. The pattern is my own, 2×2 rib for one inch, 7 inches of 3×1 rib, a short row heel and a stockinette foot.
I am very happy to be finished with them, but judging from the expression on his face, they may not be the last pair of large socks I make.
Rocks, Waves, Beach 
Your done for now. It did not take long for Husband to move from really liking hand knit socks, to wearing ONLY handknit socks.
By: Terri on November 5, 2009
at 1:36 pm
socks look great!
hooray for possum yarn!!
By: melissa on November 5, 2009
at 2:48 pm
They look great Kate!
I too have recently received a request for another pair or two of the ridiculously long mans work socks….gah the things we do to ourselves :)
By: Rona on November 5, 2009
at 10:15 pm
These look great…warm and cozy! No wonder they make him happy!
By: Rachel on November 6, 2009
at 8:49 am
Such a nice gift. He’s going to get spoiled…
By: Liz on November 6, 2009
at 2:42 pm