Monkey See, Monkey Do
by Vickie

I really love being a member of Ravelry. It has opened up so many doors where my knitting is concerned. I think I belong to about 16 or 17 groups. I would belong to more but there just isn't time to keep track of all of the conversations so what I have is manageable.

Since learning to knit some where around five years ago, I made it my goal to learn how to knit socks. I took lessons, well a class and then have done everything else after that on my own. I knit cuff down socks and love doing them. Recently I have been attracted to some more fancy patterns that happen to be toe up socks. Since I don't do them yet...I am a wee bit limited but only until I take a toe up class.

So when I found a more fancy pattern that was a cuff down, I decided to step outside my comfort zone and try something new. I have to say that I am thrilled with the way they turned out. Many of you have already done these but it's my first time making them.

I made them with Rio de la Plata in the colorway of Chinchillia. They have flecks of dark brown, pink and with different shades of beige. I usually knit on #1 dpns but this time since the cast on amount was only 64, I had to use #2 dpns. I was surprised that going up a needle size did not make my socks bulky. I didn't want really huge bulky socks that I can't get into sneakers or clogs. Fat socks are only good for me when I don't have to be a grown up and wear shoes.

This is my very first pair of Monkey socks. I love their bumps and twists and turns. They look so much harder than what they really are.

Here are two shots that show the color variations in the yarn that made it perfect for this kind of a pattern. The yarn was so easy to use and hopefully it will be easy to wash and dry. I am not into hand washing my socks no matter how wonderful they are!
Not only are there the regular Monkey socks (that have the purl stitch) but someone has come up with another take on the Monkey socks, called No Purl Monkeys. The texture looks a little more smooth but from what I have been told by someone who has made them, they go faster. As if that is not enough...now there is another version called Micro Monkeys. I am going to try and do both patterns when I get a chance.

The designer, Cookie A has now even got a book with her sock patterns about to be published sometime around April. I pre-ordered the book and the delivery date is around the beginning of April. I am excited to get another sock book where I can knit them cuff down and I like her designs.

There will be other posts about socks since I belong to this group. I have to knit at least one pair of socks a month for 2009. This should be fun!