Was there ever such a perfect match?

Was there ever such a perfect match of yarn and pattern as for these socks?

Well, probably, but to me, these come pretty close - especially for a variegated yarn such as this fabulous Koigu KPPPM which I bought in New York two years ago (I can't believe it was that long ago, to be honest...)(maybe it was three years ago?)

Details
Pattern: Bartholomew's Tantalising Socks, from New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One by Cat Bordhi. Followed the pattern pretty much to a T, except for making the leg a bit shorter to compensate for the relatively short yardage on the Koigu - I didn't want to get to the toe and find I didn't have enough yarn to finish them. I did, however, do the gusset decrease bit on the second sock different (it's the part on the bottom of the foot, after the heel turn) - but that was only because I misread the pattern! So it's plain stocking stitch (on the right below), instead of reinforced (k1, sl1, then purl back) (on the left below). I'm telling myself it's so I can make an informed decision about which I like better!

But it is a pointer to the only real flaw with the book, and which I've seen many others complain about - it constantly has you flipping back and forth between the pages with the actual pattern, and the pages with the "master" instructions. I can see why it is done this way, but it does make it a bit more of a pain to follow the pattern, and particularly to make a working copy to use rather than carrying the whole book - because if you forget to copy the "master" pattern you need, you are stuffed. At least until you get home and can look at the book. But that's a relatively minor quibble with what is otherwise a great book!

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, colour P108. I loved the orange and blue shades in this yarn and I'd always thought I'd do plain stocking stitch, until I found this pattern! The linen stitch is a perfect way to show off the colours.

Sticks: KP Harmony 2.75 mm fixed circ for the cuff part (which is knit flat for about 5cm before being joined to knit in the round, which gives the great "v" at the back of the socks), and then 2.5mm rosewood dpns (the gift in the first Wollmeise sock club package - love these rosewood sticks!)

Time: Sock 1 - 4-19 October 2008 - I remember knitting this one so quickly because I was so in love with it! I put off knitting the second sock because I had a heap of gift and swap knitting in the lead up to Christmas. So I sort of cheated, and made the second sock my first Personal Sock Club project - sock 2 was completed between 21 January 2009 (while watching the inauguration of President Obama) and 12 February 2009. As Bells has already noted, having the incentive of a new brown bag from the Personal Sock Club is great for getting socks finished! I haven't picked my new brown bag yet but will be doing so later today! I'm so excited!

What I learnt: Well, where do I start? Various Cat Bordhi techniques, but in particular her method of lifted increases, and her technique of hiding wraps - both very clever and which I've already used in other projects. I think she has videos of these on her website or youtube - check them out! And also, that there does exist great patterns for variegated yarns - you just have to choose carefully!