norfolk ramblers -- lyos september 2009

Pattern: Norfolk Ramblers, by erqsome knits

Yarn: Oceanwind Knits Sock Merino (100% super­wash merino; 185 yds/50 g)

Needles: 2.25 mm

My granddad and his wife, the incomparable Diane, once rented a small cabin in Norfolk, right near the Broads and were so taken by it that they decided to buy a small cottage there, a ramshackle little getaway from the everyday. Avid walkers, they would plot out elaborate rambles across the countryside and swiftly grew to know every nook and cranny of the county. They were two halves of the same coin; Granddad-and-Di. They had been smitten with each other for nearly 40 years; it was the sort of love you aspire to. Earlier this summer, Granddad-and-Di became just Diane.

As any other knitter, I picked up my needles and numbly knit my way through this period. I knit and knit and eventually found I was knitting these socks for her.

‘Norfolk Ramblers’ incorporate the Ringwood pattern from Nancy Bush’s Gentlemen’s Half Hose, which I had made for my granddad’s 80th birthday back in May. To add a feminine touch, the Ringwood pattern is complemented by subtle lacy panels.

My two favourite features, however, are the round Welsh heel and the decorative toe. While you can take or leave the interlocking diamond pattern that adorns the toe (I do understand the concern surrounding dressing fragile lace around the tips of toes), I urge you to try out the Welsh heel, which cups the bottom of the heel for a perfect fit.

Diane has always been one of the strongest, most generous and caring people I know. While I can’t be with her all the time, I hope these socks will remind her that she is never far from my thoughts.

‘Norfolk Ramblers’ is the seventeenth pattern to be released under the Loumms Year of Socks. It’s available on Ravelry, as a free download, or you can download the pattern here.

Please note that while we’ve done our best to make sure there are no errors, we can’t guarantee there aren’t any. If you find something that looks amiss, get in touch! We’ll be posting updates if we find any, but we are always grateful for feedback of any sort.

Errata

Norfolk Crossing Chart A round 9 should read:
p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p3, k7, p2, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1.
Norfolk Crossing Chart A round 10 should read p1, k4, p1, k4, p3, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p3, k4, p1, k4, p1

Norfolk Crossing Chart B row 9 should read:
p1, k7, p2, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p2, k7, p1

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