Basic gusset heel socks in Studioloo Bootsie (elephantgirl)
I just finished these socks in my favourite basic sock pattern, gusset heel basic socks by Wendy Johnson. They were made from impulsively purchased Studioloo Bootsie (yarn spun and dyed by a local artist) in elephantgirl. I loved watching the colours materialize, although I did hope they would pool a little more organically. Admittedly, the stockinette got a little tedious, but I’m a dedicated sock knitter. There’s something very satisfying about wearing a handmade pair, especially in this unseasonably cold and wet weather.
Whenever I drop in to a yarn store without a specific project in mind, I’m inevitably drawn to yarn like this; there’s something irresistible about the skeins of soft, gorgeous, striped, multi-coloured sock yarn. Nearly every impulse purchase in my stash is a single skein of sock yarn in several saturated hues.
The problem (other than the obvious cost): what to do with them? When I buy them, I tell myself I will find a choose a challenging new sock pattern, but in reality, most textures look muddy in multi-coloured yarn. There are some rare exceptions, like Cookie A’s fab wedge socks, but there’s only so many pairs of those I can make. And so I have a number of flat socks and an even larger number of gorgeous, unused stashed skeins. What are your favourite patterns for multi-coloured sock yarn? I’d love to hear your suggestions for this part of my stash!
Some of my sock stash: (left to right) Studioloo Bootsie in Birthday Cake, Cascade Heritage Paints in Wild Roses and stashed yarn of unknown origins
Knit three together 
Ohh, I love the colors! I gravitate towards sock yarn too. I use it to make hats, shawls and mitts. Wingspan and Ishbel are next on my list.
I’ve never thought about mitts in yarn this weight, but they’d look so great!
Love those colors!!! I haven’t tried these yet, but Skew socks look super interesting!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/skew
I also love to make baby hats and booties with my sock yarn 🙂
Thanks for the pattern suggestion!! I just put those Skew socks in my queue…
I adore multi-coloured sock yarn, I can definitely relate to your dilemma. I tend to stash them, admire them and wonder what I can do to show them off. I have yet to try socks, there’s something about walking on hours of work that makes me whimper.
I recently found a lovely mitt pattern that’s simple, fitted and not bulky. The pattern was made using a lovely multi-coloured yarn which inspired me to finally put some of mine to good use. I just completed my own set. Here’s the pattern I found: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/firecracker-gloves
That’s a great pattern – although my crochet skills aren’t nearly there… something to aim for!