they really are gorgeous socks, your pal will love them!

Hey thanks! I love love love the leaves... I'm so happy to see other people giving them some love and can't wait to fix the friggin' hole in mine so I can get to the toe, I've been looking forward to it for so long.

Oh, and the garter ridge along the side of the heel flap is supposed to maintain the look of the purl columns in between the leaves, I believe....

they're very pretty. I prefer the garter ridge to the slipped stitches on the heel flap.

I've never liked the look of the garter stitch edge on a heel flap (and it seemed most of the examples in the first Sensational Knitted Socks book had it).

I have deep heels, so short row heels don't work alone for me... but I love to do them, so my standard pattern is one with a mini gusset and short row heel... then you get a bit of that gusset you like, too.

And I agree with you... it is way cool how some of those ribs turn into the stems of the leaves.

These are really pretty socks. Impressive. I've only tried the simplest of socks, but I think I need to try something more exciting.

I'm not fond of the garter edge on the heel flap either. How about an eye of the partridge heel or a slip stitch. I like both because they add a little texture as well as added durability to the heel area. But the leaves are just lovely.

Gorgeous socks! Must try this pattern with some of the sock yarn I'm accumulating these days...all in an effort to find just the RIGHT yarn for my sockpal's socks.

Gorgeous socks! Must try this pattern with some of the sock yarn I'm accumulating these days...all in an effort to find just the RIGHT yarn for my sockpal's socks.

I have knit 2 pairs of those socks because I love the pattern so much but I never really thought about the heel before. Now that you mention it, I think a short row heel might be much nicer. I'll guess I'll have to do a 3rd pair.

Yes, those white socks look great! I never thought of buying plain white sock yarn before...

Where did you find that lovely leaf sock pattern? I would love to knit this in some CTH Loden that I have. Thanks!

Johanna, it's Embossed Leaves from Interweave Knits Winter 2005 and also in the new book, Favorite Socks.

It's really beautiful!!! I think it would work nicely with a ribbed heel flap if you want to try that.
God Speed to the second sock!

Gorgeous! Who did you say your pal was . . .? (j/k)

did you block these after all?! I agree with you on the heel, it is a little off for the rest of the sock . . .looking forward to what changes you may make!

That is truly beautiful. I see what you mean about the heel, but it's really not that bad. Doesn't take away from the gorgeous pattern.

No, Asa, you're absolutely right, it isn't bad at all. The whole pattern is really awesome! I just keep thinking that that heel could use something more.

Ooo, I'm knitting those too!--though not for my sock pal. Thanks for the advice, I think I will change that heel, and I'm glad to hear someone else thinks that cast on is not worth it.

Beautiful. Can't wait to see a finished pair!

I believe a friend told me that the cast on was an error and she gave me a link to it once... I just don't remember where the link is now! I believe it might be on the pattern designer's blog.

Ugh, seriously, Allison?! I like the slip stitch thing in the first two rows, but didn't understand why it had to start with the k1, p1 cast on. It would make sense that it's an error. It looks totally fine with a normal cast on - I know this because I did it when I started the second sock and forgot that there was a special cast on and then had to rip it out so that it would match the first sock!! Aaack!

Love the Leaves! That is my most favorite sock pattern! I wore a pair into the LYS once and a lady sitting there knitting took one brief glance at my feet (I had on long pants, btw) and said, "Oh, I love your Embossed Leaves in that colorway!" She could only see the heel and a tiny peek of the leg, but she recognized them!

oh yea, i didn't do the special cast on either. it was too fiddly for me.

I remember seeing a comment on someone's post on the http://www.favoritesockskal.blogspot.com/ about not using the suggested cast on. So I just used my normal long tail cast on and it looks the same to me.

I just turned the heel, and have to cut the yarn, which means I have to find some scissors.

So pretty, and such a great color for spring leaves in Boston! Those socks are also on my list of to-dos!

Hello Alison,

just because it's been mentioned quite often: I did NOT use that "special cast-on" that's given in the pattern, I did a two-strand tubular cast-on. That's why you slip stitches in the first two rows and then start knitting. I don't know why Knits insisted on using that particular cast-on, I myself have never even tried it.

I am happy you like the pattern - the green yarn you're using is very pretty and 'leafy'.

Greetings from Montreal,

Mona

Aha Mona, thanks for letting us know that the special cast on was an add on. As a designer, I definitely understand that stuff like that happens.

Thanks for your beautiful pattern. I want everything I make now to have that leaf pattern on it! (Seriously, proof coming in a post very soon!) The socks are gorgeous and a real joy to knit. Thank you!!