My International Socks

I am calling these sock "My International Socks", and will explain why. 

The pattern that I used is called Hiking Socks by Blicknits on ravelry, who is from Germany. I really like to knit toe-up socks like these, because I decided I could use one ball of wool per sock, and just kept knitting until I ran out of wool. (No tricky trying to guess how much is needed for the foot length.) 

But in a few ways I veered off the pattern track. I did not use the cast-on technique for the toe, but decided to follow Arne and Carlos (knitters from Norway), who give advice on toes, and in particular sewing up toes, which you can see here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euf3Q-4xt2I  I am sure fellow knitters will have heard of them, but if not check them out. I love watching their videos, which are not just on knitting, with glimpses of beautiful clean Norwegian lakes and mountains.

When I got to the heel though, I somehow got in a pickle. I think that I just was getting muddled with the stitch counting, so after a few attempts I decided to use a different heel, called "The German Heel" which I found on Youtube by New Leaf Podcast, who I think is Dutch, although she sounds American.

Heel done, I continued on the pattern, which finishes with the Russian-bind-off.

Looking at the wool I used, which was Drops Fabel, I see it is also from Norway.

So you can see that the only English thing about these socks are the legs that are wearing them! How hard is it to photograph socks naturally. The minute you say I'm about to click toes start to flex and curl.

Just a reminder that there is still time join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for February. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.