Doggy School Lollipops

Pattern: Basic Sock - see below for details

Yarn: Opal sock yarn, 75% wool, 25% nylon

Color: Lollipop 1010

Needles: Addi Turbo #1

Gauge: 8 stitches/inch, 10 rows/inch

Sometimes, like now, I like to knit self-patterning socks in a basic pattern with an attempt to have some ribbing for good fit and some wide stockinette bands to show off the yarn stripes.

These socks are a Christmas gift for Gail the dog trainer. All I know is her shoe size, so I wanted to knit in as much fudge factor/ribbing as possible and still have them a little prettier than just plain ribbing all the way down the cuff.

Here is the ribbing formula I used:

• Cast on 64.
  
• k2p2 ribbing for 20 rows - starting with p, k2, p2 .... p so the ribbing matches up with the pattern to follow.
  
• Instep: p,k3,p,k3,p,k14,p,k3,p,k3,p (32 stitches)
  
• Heel side: k3,p,k3,p,k3,p,k8,p,k3,p,k3,p,k3 (32 stitches)
  
• Carry the instep pattern down the foot.

The **TOPIC TUESDAY** question on Opal Chatters List is:

Have any of you used socks as an extra gift by using the SOCK as the container for some other little goodies?

If so, how have you used your socks as "gift wrap".

What a great idea and so obvious once I read it. Now I can have fun finding little somethings to stick in Gail's Christmas socks. One sock can be from Sunny and the other from Pappy.

Sunny and Pappy have their doggy school Christmas parties four days apart.

Maybe I'll give her one sock per party and let her wonder what to do with the first one for four days before she gets the second one. Or would that be dangerous? She might throw the first sock out before knowing there's a second sock.

Maybe the socks need to stay together?

What do you think?