Project details:
Socks Pattern: Magknits Jaywalker by Grumperina (except for the toes).
Toes Pattern: Spun Magazine's Geisha sock by Kate Atherley (only the toes).
Yarn: Lang Jawoll Superwash 75% wool, 18% nylon, and 7% acrylic from Yarn Market
Gauge: 38 sts over 4 inches / 10 cm in zigzag pattern stitch, 32 sts over 4 inches / 10 cm in circular stockinette stitch
Needles: 2 of Addi Turbo US #1 circs 16"
What I might want to change the next time I knit this:
- more number of stitches for thumb toe and fewer for the rest of the toes.
- fewer rows in the toe-section for the 4 toes.
- US#0 (a size smaller) for the ribbing and heel flap.
What I like about this pattern: The fit is good and the chevron pattern looks great on socks.
What I dislike about this pattern: For someone with a cranky shoulder, the chevrons in the pattern induce much strain and pain too, need I add? The knitting is slow owing to the chevrons grabbing more rows and stitches than stockinette gauge. The knitting is painful in the increases and the decreases.
Notes on knitting technique: Knitting 2 socks on 2 circs rocks! There is no scope for the second-sock-syndrome, and the symmetry is to die for.
Notes on split toe: I used the instructions of the Geisha socks without tweaking any of it since my gauge matched with that in the pattern. To achieve this with 2 circs, I first moved the non-thumb-toe stitches of both socks onto stitch holders and completed the thumb toes of both. And then I resumed with the other segment of toes.
7 comments:
Lovely! I'm still struggling with my first "real" sock (not a tube sock) -- I think the foot is too wide and I should frog it before doing the heel (they are toe-up socks). How much smaller around than your foot do you knit your socks?
Thank you. I only wish the non-thumb-toes didn't turn out as pointy as they did - the photo hides this coz I tucked the sharp corners under ;).
I followed the jaywalker pattern for 8" circumference size - and for the first time ever, without tweaking any of it. The pattern has no detectable negative ease. I suspect the chevron knit fabric is resilient and provides a good fit over a wider range of foot widths than the stockinette.
Carry of KnitWit has a podcast on ease: http://autumnbreezedesigns.com/blog/2006/06/10/knitwit-20-on-ease/. I had given it a listen a while back. It might be a good idea to first knit a real-size tube swatch with negative ease of anywhere between 5 and 15% and try that before starting off on the socks. Do post your findings for us to learn from! :)
Thanks for your comments! It's nice yarn, but thicker than usual sock yarn, I guess, so some advice is not usable (such as, "knit x stitches around for a medium women's sock"). And it's good that I just checked the site here:
http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/itemid_5420135/yarn_display.aspx since I had forgotten what it said there about the gauge being incorrect on the band. Since I started this casually at camp, I had neglected that all-important step of checking gauge. Too much relaxation, I guess.
I have only made tube socks before, but toe-up seems like the way to go for me. And for those who like heel flaps, I've even found a pattern for toe-up heel flap socks. But I like the look of the short-row heel. I'm very opinionated for someone on my first real sock, huh?
I'll check out the podcast before I re-start the sock -- thanks.
Thanks for your comments! I bit the bullet and ripped. Also, thank you for the podcast link, which was very helpful. I have started over from the increases with what I calculate to be 10% ease (with toe-up, the sock basically is the swatch). So far, so good, although it's a bit early to tell for sure.
Thanks for your comments! I bit the bullet and ripped. Also, thank you for the podcast link, which was very helpful. I have started over from the increases with what I calculate to be 10% ease (with toe-up, the sock basically is the swatch). So far, so good, although it's a bit early to tell for sure.
I meant to say, 10% negative ease, of course.
Thanks for the great links! I'm going to have to try Widdershins at some point, love the name, too.
It's funny, I've been reading The Knitting Fiend's tutorials on socks, and she says at one point that "try on as you go" is the great thing about cuff-down socks, and so many people say that's the great thing about toe-up socks. She has so many patterns and "sock-u-lators" for toe-up socks, though. Guess I'll have to try both.
I've been going crazy on my sock and am ribbing it, might be able to show it tomorrow.
Post a Comment