Hugs and Kisses Baby Socks

Pattern: Better-Than-Booties Baby Socks by Ann Budd from Interweave Knits Summer 2005 (and also available for free here.)
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino
Needles: Addi Turbo Size 2

I made these for a co-worker who is expecting her first baby in late July. This project took me about a month, mostly because I kept putting off working on it. They knit up quickly, but the pattern uses short-row heels and toes, which I don't especially like doing so it was always too easy to put it off until another day.

I used a different bind-off than called for in the pattern. I tried the zig zag bind off, but it made the toe area really flare out. After completing the short row toe, you have two parallel needles of stitches, and the instructions have you knit one from the front needle, then one from the back, alternating in this way while binding off. Of course, this puts those two needles of stitches all in a row, hence the flaring. I undid the bind-off and used a regular 3-needle bind-off and I think it looks a lot better. If you look at the picture, the bind-off is that horizontal row that divides the cable panel from the toe.

The cable panel is really adorable and very easy. Their were other variations on this pattern including one with a basketweave cable panel and one that was plain stockinette. They are all extremely cute so I will keep this in mind for the next time I need to knit something for a baby (short rows or not).

The yarn feels nice knit up but it's really splitty so working with it is not as wonderful as I had expected, and the cable cast-on was a real bitch. But I'd probably use it again as it comes in very nice colors and is very soft, as well as machine washable - a must for a new mom, as far as I'm concerned.

If you have a Ravelry account, also check out this adorable sweater that one of my co-workers knit for the baby. There was also a totally cute hat with ear flaps and a pair of booties with ribbons woven in around the cuff. The mom-to-be is also a knitter, so I'm sure she'll have some great things for him as well. This is one lucky baby!