R.I.P. - Pretty Comfy Socks

After one year's washer and dryer abuse (yeah, the first time was a mistake ... and then afterwards, what the hack, I keep putting them into the machines!), my first pair of hand-knitted socks finally succumbed:
Skill-wise, these socks have much room for improvement ... the short-row heels are heinous indeed! But I do have sentimental attachment to them. And to be honest, the lace pattern is pretty. So, though they won't be able to keep my feet comfy, I think I'll keep them in my sock closet for some time before throwing them out (can you tell I'm a pack rat? ;))

But I am not sad at all! I have a new favourite. It's a bit of cliche knitting a lace leaf pattern in green ... but if it comes out lovely, why not? :)

Details:
Pattern and Modifications: Embossed Leaves Socks designed by Mona Schmidt (IK Winter 2005)
I kept seeing this lovely pattern around the knitting blogisphere and finally, I have to make myself a pair.
As I told you before, the twisted rib cuff is not very stretchy and doesn't look good, so I just did a simple k1p1 ribbing with German twist cast on.
I think the pattern would come out best with solid or near solid colour yarns, though I've seen gorgeous ones with multicoloured yarns too. I especially like the toe decrease which was done in a way that the leaves' shapes were kept:
Bonus, no need for grafting ... just thread through the last 8 stitches ... ta-da and it's done!

Yarn: Cascade Fixation (98.3% Cotton, 1.7% Elastic) Col: 5606
I love this elastic cotton yarn. You'll get very comfortable cushy socks ... though they tend to be a bit thick. If you avoid washing them in machine, the socks would keep their softness. I think I did better with keeping the yarn not too stretched nor too relaxed while knitting this time.

Gauge and Needles: Not sure about the gauge. I used US1.5 DPNs and cast on 64 stitches.

Start date: 05-10-2006
Finish date: 05-17-2006

A quick update on the Leftover Tank. I am not a very good judge in colour combination ... so I am really not sure if the way I mix the colours would come out well ... but no matter what, I am going to wear this tank when it is finished. :) One day while knitting it, I suddenly had a case of panic attack ... fearing that it would be too small! So, I had to measure it against the smallest top I have in the closet:
Seems okay [phew!] Since I grew up with the conventional wisdom that horizontal stripes would make one put on pounds visually, I added some slight waist shaping ... can you see it?