Sock-a-Long Challenge

Finished these this weekendbut it was quite a journey. I changed a lot: gauge, heel, toe. Details of the changes and some other pictures are on my blog. Merely a Suggestion

Still working on the first pair of the challenge and am planning another pair with stash yarn. The Sewing Bird has a shipment from Lorna's Laces on the way, so the stash yarn may just stay in the stash.

I finished my first challenge sock while I was in Oregon. The reverse engineered heel-flap fits wonderfully!

This is the Hedera sock from knitty.com (see link in the sidebar). It was written cuff down, but I'm a toe-up convert. So my challenge was to convert the pattern from cuff-down to toe-up and maintain the heel flap. I'd only ever done short row heels on my toe-up socks, but prefer the fit of a heel flap, so to figure out how to do this is insanely gratifying. I started the second one on the plane ride home and I'm just now getting to the gusset increases.


I've also started another pair of socks - Anastasia by Mintyfresh. I'm doing them in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in the colorway Country Garden. The challenge? Knit a pair of socks for a size 11 foot on US size 1 needles in time for Christmas. Heh. The pattern is written for an 8 1/2" circumference foot, but is easily modified for a wider foot by simply adding a stitch or two between YO's. Also, the YO's give a certain amount of stretch to the sock, and negative ease helps bring out the pattern more.

The yarn is a treat to work with. I love the way the handpainted yarn changes colors so quickly. No patterning to it, just an ebb and flow of color. It's gorgeous. This pattern is also toe-up. I have split the yarn in half (using a kitchen scale and ballwinder) and will be able to continue up the cuff until I run out. This method is also advantageous for knitting socks for larger feet so as to ensure enough for the pair. No one wants to get halfway down the foot of the second sock only to run out of yarn. And with handpainted yarn, really, no two are alike so you're better off using only the one hank.

If you plan on making the Jaywalkers for your challenge sock, there's something you need to know. The nature of the stitch pattern does not allow for any "stretch" or "Give" when the sock is put on. So, even though you may have an 8 1/2" circumference foot, you may want to make the larger size anyway. And the thing is, you won't even know they're too tight until you get ready to start the heel. So a shorter cuff is also helpful in ensuring a good fit.
I would recommend a yarn like Knitpicks Dancing, or Cascade Fixation. Both have some great stretch to them that this pattern can only benefit from. And pick something variegated or self-striping! This pattern shows that off well, as you see.

I am knitting socks using one of Candace Eisner Strick's Austrian Traveling stitches patterns. The work isn't terribly hard, but it is slow going. I'm counting on this public declaration to get me through the second sock. I'm using Louet's Gem Merino in a solid red. i chose a solid so the stitch pattern will show to its maximum.

The challenge:
Use a tubular cast on
Complete the Austrian Travel st down the front and back of the sock
Use the non stop heel which I discovered on line and in an old mag. You increase for the gusset and then turn the heel.
Use two circular needles.

I have already abandoned the circular needles. Two hard on my hands. I've now got the socks on four dpns and have the sts set to divide the pattern by needle. Makes some of it mindless. I'll post pictures soon.

Jane Prater

(Sorry, I've fixed all the links now. Stupid html not copying right from word.)

OK, so I thought I'd show off some of my socks to get us all started. That, and hey, I like to show off my socks.



Top Row: Jaywalkers by Grumperina
Simple Socks from Socks Soar on 2 Circular Needles
Wendy's Generic Toe-up Socks
Middle: Sixth Sense Socks from the yahoo group 6-Socks KAL
Generic Toe-Up socks again in Fortissima 1776
Best Foot Forward Socks from Knit Socks! (The sock shaped sock book)
Bottom: Fuzzy Feet from Knitty
Detail on the garter stitch short row heel used in the sixth sense sock
Detail on the Best Foot Forward sock. (A good example of when a good pattern can be thwarted by busy yarn.)

(Note, the jaywalker and Generic Toe-Up sock pattern are linked in the sidebar as are the Fuzzy Feet.)

If you are a guild member, you should have received your invitation to the blog this morning. Please make sure it didn't find it's way into your SPAM filter or trash. Find it, and accept.

As discussed at the August 1st meeting of the Charlotte Knitting Guild we have started a Sock Knit-a-long whereby all members interested in knitting socks are to choose a pattern to challenge their skill level (all the way from first timers to veterans). We'll post progress pictures, ask and answer questions, and give the various tips and tricks we pick up along the way.

If you look in the sidebar there, you'll see I've provided a plethora of links to various patterns, resources and tutorials. If you have a link you'd like me to add, let me know.

For you first timers, coming from experience, I highly reccommend Knitty's Fuzzy Feet for your first attempt at socks. They're felted slippers, done from the cuff down on size 10.5 dpns. All the steps of the basic sock are there, and if it doesn't look that fabulous when you're done - no worries! They're getting felted anyway!