On socks (and snow update)
Nov. 20th, 2008 10:03 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenayI think that I am now officially a sock knitting addict (no laughing, ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
catspaw_sgjd). The trick appears to be finding a pattern that works and then poof, you're an addict.
A few weeks ago I bought New Pathways for Sock Knitters by Cat Bordhi, hoping that it would finally give me the secret of properly fitting socks. She discusses sock architecture in a way that actually makes sense and provides a useful set of charts and so on to help you calculate the perfect fit. The book includes lots of gorgeous sock designs as well as several basic architectures that you can put your measurements into and knit from to create plain socks or design your own. Just to show you how easy it can all be, the first instructions in the book are knitting little test socks that demonstrate the main concepts she's discussing, one toe-up sock and one cuff-down.
My first venture was knitting the toe-up test socks, Little Coriolis. They were so easy and turned out beautifully! The bit that really made me fall in love was the heel: wrap and turn works much better for me than knitting a long heel flap and then picking up stitches along the edge. The other thing that I love is the idea that you can put the arch increases anywhere around the sock rather than having a gusset down each side.
Currently I am working on my first ever pair for myself. I'm using the Master Riverbed design, where all the increases are along the sole, and I'm about four rows away from finishing the heel. Then it's just knitting up the leg and I'm done. I tried on the sock so far last night (trying on is something that I didn't do with my first socks - it's definitely a good idea) and I am feeling slightly amazing. It's the perfect length! It's maybe half an inch too loose, which I think is because my gauge swatch wasn't accurate enough and I'm knitting slightly looser than I measured. Something to remember for my next pair. Anyway, slightly loose isn't as much of a problem as two inches too long can be! The sock is much less traumatic than my first sock attempt and I'm loving it. I can't wait to wear them. I've made notes on round counts and lengths so that I can make sure the second sock is the same size.
Next up, I am going to knit one of the simpler designs (Fountain Foxglove) that has some pretty purl/knit detailing and then I'd like to take a stab at one of the lace designs (called Milkmaid something). I've seen a completed pair of those ones and they're gorgeous. I've got the yarn for the first pair, but I may have to make a huge sacrifice and go to the yarn store in Mahone Bay to buy something special for the lace socks. Oh, the hardship.
historyterry, at some stage I shall be asking you for some foot measurements so that I can build you a custom pair of socks that will actually fit properly.
My aim for the rest of this year is to get this pair of socks done, get my sister's blanket done and try to finish the Fountain Foxgloves. Then in January I have some knitting to do for a friend who's baby is due in February before I start knitting the pretty tunic I want to make for myself and hopefully knitting those lacy socks, too. It's very possible that when the baby stuff is done I will be entirely selfish and just knit things for myself for a few months. I certainly have enough ideas in the queue on Ravelry. Most of this year's output seems to have been for other people and darnit, I want to actually wear something that I've made!
In other news, I am safely at work unlike the people that I passed with cars in ditches. Also unlike my colleague who smashed his car into a house 800 metres from home.
Most of my team, however, have been stuck on the Cobequid Pass all night because they were trying to drive to Moncton for a course. The latest update was that they have just got back to Truro (there were 1500 cars backed up on the pass, takes a long time to dig out and move that many cars) where they are taking a break with coffee and food and washrooms before trying to finish the trip back. The director has given them the rest of the week off to recover.
Somehow, even though they're getting some extra paid time off, I'm still feeling grateful that I didn't get sent on that course and end up stuck in the moutains during a big snow storm.
Apparently this weather was completely unexpected. I feel less stupid about being surprised by it now :-)
catspaw_sgjd). The trick appears to be finding a pattern that works and then poof, you're an addict.A few weeks ago I bought New Pathways for Sock Knitters by Cat Bordhi, hoping that it would finally give me the secret of properly fitting socks. She discusses sock architecture in a way that actually makes sense and provides a useful set of charts and so on to help you calculate the perfect fit. The book includes lots of gorgeous sock designs as well as several basic architectures that you can put your measurements into and knit from to create plain socks or design your own. Just to show you how easy it can all be, the first instructions in the book are knitting little test socks that demonstrate the main concepts she's discussing, one toe-up sock and one cuff-down.
My first venture was knitting the toe-up test socks, Little Coriolis. They were so easy and turned out beautifully! The bit that really made me fall in love was the heel: wrap and turn works much better for me than knitting a long heel flap and then picking up stitches along the edge. The other thing that I love is the idea that you can put the arch increases anywhere around the sock rather than having a gusset down each side.
Currently I am working on my first ever pair for myself. I'm using the Master Riverbed design, where all the increases are along the sole, and I'm about four rows away from finishing the heel. Then it's just knitting up the leg and I'm done. I tried on the sock so far last night (trying on is something that I didn't do with my first socks - it's definitely a good idea) and I am feeling slightly amazing. It's the perfect length! It's maybe half an inch too loose, which I think is because my gauge swatch wasn't accurate enough and I'm knitting slightly looser than I measured. Something to remember for my next pair. Anyway, slightly loose isn't as much of a problem as two inches too long can be! The sock is much less traumatic than my first sock attempt and I'm loving it. I can't wait to wear them. I've made notes on round counts and lengths so that I can make sure the second sock is the same size.
Next up, I am going to knit one of the simpler designs (Fountain Foxglove) that has some pretty purl/knit detailing and then I'd like to take a stab at one of the lace designs (called Milkmaid something). I've seen a completed pair of those ones and they're gorgeous. I've got the yarn for the first pair, but I may have to make a huge sacrifice and go to the yarn store in Mahone Bay to buy something special for the lace socks. Oh, the hardship.
historyterry, at some stage I shall be asking you for some foot measurements so that I can build you a custom pair of socks that will actually fit properly.My aim for the rest of this year is to get this pair of socks done, get my sister's blanket done and try to finish the Fountain Foxgloves. Then in January I have some knitting to do for a friend who's baby is due in February before I start knitting the pretty tunic I want to make for myself and hopefully knitting those lacy socks, too. It's very possible that when the baby stuff is done I will be entirely selfish and just knit things for myself for a few months. I certainly have enough ideas in the queue on Ravelry. Most of this year's output seems to have been for other people and darnit, I want to actually wear something that I've made!
In other news, I am safely at work unlike the people that I passed with cars in ditches. Also unlike my colleague who smashed his car into a house 800 metres from home.
Most of my team, however, have been stuck on the Cobequid Pass all night because they were trying to drive to Moncton for a course. The latest update was that they have just got back to Truro (there were 1500 cars backed up on the pass, takes a long time to dig out and move that many cars) where they are taking a break with coffee and food and washrooms before trying to finish the trip back. The director has given them the rest of the week off to recover.
Somehow, even though they're getting some extra paid time off, I'm still feeling grateful that I didn't get sent on that course and end up stuck in the moutains during a big snow storm.
Apparently this weather was completely unexpected. I feel less stupid about being surprised by it now :-)
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no subject
Date: 2008-11-20 10:12 pm (UTC)I am so pleased you didn't get stuck in the snow with the others. It must be awful for them.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-22 05:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-21 09:04 am (UTC);-)
I've heard a lot of good things about Cat Bordhi's book (and found her tuts on youtube awfully good) - I think I should see about getting a copy :-)
Toe-up though :-( I get in a terrible fankle with those :-((( Definitely a heel flap and gusset gal, here *g*
Edited for pressing 'post' too quickly :-(
no subject
Date: 2008-11-22 05:40 pm (UTC)