Dad's Christmas Socks

Pattern: Gentleman's Winter Stocking from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Lisa Souza Sock Yarn in Gendarme
Needles: #1 Birch Brittany DPN's for main body, #1 Metal Susan Bates for Heel
Pattern Notes and Details: I began knitting these for my Dad using a pattern I had made up relying on my vast (eh hemmm) knowledge of designing socks. I knit the first one and knew I wasn't pleased, but I loved the way the yarn striped. Once I got my hands on Nancy Bush's book, I knew this was the perfect pattern for this yarn. I had to knit them a little shorter then she called for, because my yarn supply was about 100 yards less than required. I am also not 100% convinced that they are long enough in the foot, but the beauty of the United States Postal Service is that it works both ways, and yarn (as you knitters know) can be knit and re-knit and re-knit, as nauseum. I knit the heels on these on slightly smaller Metal DPN's because I am a loose knitter when not in the round (which is just another in a long line of reasons I prefer to knit in the round.) My favorite part of this pattern is the false seam on the back and through the heel. Just a simple purl stitch at the start of each round, but it really paid off in the detailing. I think my Dad will love the socks overall, but I know he will appreciate the use of the Gendarme yarn, as a solider himself. Another off the Christmas Knit List. I believe (but don't really believe, if you know what I mean) that leaves me with a mere 3 gifts to knit by Christmas, in addition to the plethora I have in various states of completion. A pair of Gentleman's socks for my brother in a yarn aptly called "Wild Things", a cranberry red scarf for a 6'4" man (good Lord) and something for my Mother in that lovely alpaca the color of the Bermudian sea. Obviously, I saved the easiest for last. Sigh. Oh, and newsbreak, I can't find my Father-in-Law's Zig-Zag Scarf...maybe the knitting fairies stole it. Double Sigh.