Jan 21st, 2007
Sock-a-rama
Last Thursday my local knitting group had its monthly non-coffee-shop meeting, and one member taught the rest of us how to knit toe-up socks.
I have been looking forward to learning this technique for quite some time. I knit my first one-and-a-half socks last winter using the top-down technique in The Purl Stitch by Sally Melville. Melville’s instructions (and accompanying photographs) are usually quite clear and easy to understand, but for some reason the sock section didn’t quite “click” with me. For me, at least, it seems that this was something I needed to learn in person, so I could ask questions and work out my trouble spots before they become bad habits.
So here’s what I’ve done so far! I’m using some Simple Stripes yarn from KnitPicks that I bought on clearance last year. I’m really loving the colorway here: brown, mauve, tan…it’s right up my alley. As you can see, I’m knitting both socks at the same time. Pat, the person who taught this technique and a walking encyclopedia of knitting knowledge, very strongly suggested that everyone do this–partly to ensure that you don’t run out of yarn, partly so you don’t forget the little tweaks you do en route but never write down (what I learned in graduate school to call “headnotes”), and partly so you maintain momentum finish a whole pair of socks and don’t end up with One Sock Syndrome (or, in my case, One-and-a-Half Socks Syndrome).
As it turns out, another one of the group’s walking enclopedias of knitting (we are blessed with several!), Elizabeth, gave out sock yarn to everyone during the meeting. She has one of those yarn stashes that’s the stuff of legend and decided to take this opportunity to reduce it a bit (presumably to pave the way for future yarn purchases–heh!). I came home with this lovely ball of predominantly blue-gray-green Opal yarn, which I am looking forward to turning into a pair of socks…as soon as I finish this pair!
2 Responses to “Sock-a-rama”
Nice socks! Yes, I like knitting mine at the same time, too. It helps me keep my gauge even. Am working on a pair using Koigu, and I’m afraid there’s no going back, that stuff is so good!
Are you going to do a short-row heel? There’ a tutorial on the Misocrafty blog about ensuruing no holes, it’s the only way I do my short-row heels now.
BTW, Shedir is from the Breast Cancer Special Edition of Knitty. Try it!
Those look excellent! Late last night, I picked up the one sock I started on Thursday and tried to move forward with it. Well, it’s just not happening. LOL. I might be one of those people that has to knit it the other way. I just cannot move comfortably around all those dp needles bunched up together, and as a result I am super slow and lose tension. Also, the corners of the “triangle” do not meet. So I think this method is not for me.