Red Socks (Dalarna) Almost Done

Yarn - Rowan 4 ply soft - Washable - minimum machine action
Needles - size 1
Pattern - Dalarna - p 26-29 Nancy Bush - Knitting on the Road

I love this pattern, even though the "clocks" seem irregular and bumpy, and I have quite a few other irregularities in the tension - but I read somewhere (in one of Elizabeth Zimmerman's books I think) that after a few washings, the tension tends to even out -- so -- not to worry about it.

Nancy Bush went to weaving school in Dalarna, Sweden and was inspired to design these socks while there.

She says Dalarna is a most traditional place, where the "old ways" are carried on, from midsummer celebrations to twined knitting (or Tvaandstickning)

THESE are now down to the Kitchener. Then I am going to put them on and wear them myself.
They actually fit!

I have been knitting socks for one year. The first pair -- NOBODY could wear. The second pair were pretty good. I mailed them to Daniel, my son -- but the socks were lost in the mail.
The third pair - the yarn I used was DK and they turned out to be boot socks, too heavy for shoes. Sharon got those. The 4th pair are for Jaya, and they still need their kitchener stitches. they are gray and red. In between, I made some (5) slippers, (6)some flip flop socks (for Pearl, of course), and a felted bag, and the last pair of socks I started were the Dalarnas. My seventh pair.

I'm sticking to socks now. I LOVE the dp needles. (tried the circulars but haven't gotten the hang of it) I like the 6" dps the best. 5" is a little too short. And I work on both socks at once so they get finished at about the same time. It is just too overwhelming to get one finished and have to start all over at the beginning again for the second one!

The Rowan yarn's stockinette stitch has a different look. I can't figure out WHY -- but I ordered more of the Rowan in colors: Folly, Whisper and Rain. Folly will be the main color. It is a dark teal. Rain is a lighter teal and Whisper is a much lighter blue. (The color red I used -- its Rowan name is Honk.)

The hope I have is to try the pattern on page 14 called "Canada" It uses a technique called a "Latvian twist" which Nancy Bush learned from Lucy Neatby. The design is Estonian. It's called Canada because the design looks something like a maple leaf. It also uses a clock pattern down each side of the leg but is not the same as on the red socks. (Red socks (Dalarna's) clock was done over just 3 stitches - Canada's is done over six stitches.

The "maple leaf" pattern is a two color thing -- that's what scares me -- not knowing how to carry the colors so that they are 1. not too loopy on the back and 2. stretchy enough. Sharon talks about "trapping" the yarn -- ?

Is this a new product? The Triple-A Superior and Never-Fail Yarn Trap ? ? ? Does it come in different sizes?