I haven’t quite finished the socks, but thought I would create a rough pattern for those who might like to have it. It is just too hot to knit wool socks, and as it is also summer, the urge to be outdoors and wandering around is far more attractive than sitting still.
I think that, overall, the socks are rather pretty. Will I become a toe-up convert? Not sure.
Given that, you may find it in the Patterns section of this blog! Or, just click here.
This weekend Anacapa Fine Yarns celebrates its 5th birthday. And what a party it is! On Saturday, Judy (my MIL) and I wandered over, planning on some damage occurring to the budgets. We got in a bit later than the 10:00 a.m. opening – not much later, just 30 minutes – and the place was packed!
Lois started this store after working in a large accounting firm for years, and the years of “taking care of the books” certainly showed in her foresight. Anacapa has been able to grow with the business. Lois is a cheerful, friendly person – sunny and funny – and greets many of her customers by name.
The store has a lot of floor space, natural light, good artificial light, and cosy feel. In the front is most of the yarn, with plenty of room for new shipments, books, buttons, needles and notions. There are knitting bags, bits of fluffy wool for spinners, and yarns for all budgets and tastes. In the far corner are the books, with a small, circular table where you can sit, knit, chat, and look at patterns. In the back is an even larger room, for classes, and more yarn (what else?). Lois has had trunk shows, authors, teachers, as well as monthly and on-going classes.
As the years have gone by, more yarn has come in, wonderful employees, and a group of friendly fans make this a great place for knitters to congregate. Customer service is always available, and I have never had a bad moment here – until I look at all the woolly seduction! Then – well – you know how that is! Choices! And some – just some – self-control!!
And the sale? Well, you can see how crowded it was. The line was verrrry long! Judy and I each got sock yarn. Judy got some grey-green-blue Koigu, and I got some ocean-blue-green. Judy also got a lovely sock yarn that was creamy with other colors dispersed through it. I also picked up a nice ball of manly Tofutsies for the esposo, and some – finally! – Mini Mochi in greens.
Anacapa is a gem of a yarn store, and if you are up in Ventura, California, don’t forget to visit. They are open 6 days a week – closed on Monday. The newsletter is published regularly – take a look and see what’s happening and who is showing up.
Happy 5th, Anacapa!
This past week I really have not done much of anything except munge around. The highlights of the week have been watching the very funny Betty la Fea – in English, and the American version – on DVDs from Netflix. What is there not to enjoy?
The second of the toe-up socks have been progressing over the past week. I’ve turned the heel using the Fleegle Heel, which is the reverse of a top-down sock gusset, but without the need to pick up stitches along the heel flap. The body of the sock measured 7 inches when I started the heel. Most toe-up recipes with gussets say to begin it 2 to 2.5 inches before the total length. I make my socks 9 inches long, so 6.5 to 7 inches would be fine – in theory!
Having turned the heel, before trying it on, just an eyeball of the sock told me that 7 inches was too long of a sock length. It should have begun at 6.5 inches, or maybe even 6. Another element of the heel was its angle, especially when compared to the short-row heel of the first sock. Additionally, I usually turn my sock heel on about a third of the total stitches, not the traditional one half. My gusset is a lot shorter as a result, and I am pleased with the way my top-down socks fit.
Still, the fit of this second sock, is not bad. The problem, in my opinion, is the tediousness of turning the heel. It was a lot easier to do, in some ways, than the short-row heel, but that is because the construction of the heel is one with which I am familiar. The heel flap construction of a top-down sock requires picking up stitches, but the Fleegle heel does not, so the overall product is a bit tidier, though longer in doing.
I may attempt to do this heel, if I do another toe-up pair of socks, on fewer stitches. It will be interesting to note at what point along the foot to begin a Fleegle heel with fewer stitches – I think the length of the sock may need to be a bit longer than when you use half of the total sock stitches. I also think I saw a reference to a Dutch heel for toe-up socks, which is not as fitted as this particular heel. Hmmm.
This second sock of this pair is made with only 54 stitches, not 60. The reason is that I don’t really think that 60 is good for the lace pattern here. The lace is stretchy, and doesn’t stretch out on my foot or leg. I’d make that for a large leg, and use 42-48 for a young girl or small woman.
Here, you can see the difference between the two socks, especially at the heel. The short-row heel sock is a bit too short, and the Fleegle heel sock is a bit too long. Still, I have no plans of ripping out either sock, and will wear them as a pair!
My inclination is to go with a Fleegle heel as preferred method, but use maybe a third of the stitches, instead of half. Also, fewer stitches for this lace pattern. The fact that knitting is stretchy allows for errors like this, and I can wear them before I decide I don’t like toe-up socks. Right now, I’m just now sure I like making them….
I’ve finished the first sock of this pair, and I can only say I am not too fond of it, as far as doing it, and as far its design. This being the first sock, and fraught with a high learning curve, it is understandable.
After turning the heel, I continued on with lace rib stitch for 6 inches, and then began the top pattern, which is a repeat of 7 stitches. To recap, the sock is a 6-stitch repeat, done on 60 stitches. I decided to increase 3 stitches, every 20th round. Then I began the pattern, which I will modify, and attach to posts about the second sock, which 1) should be nicer looking, and 2) have a gusset rather than short row heel, and 3) have a decrease of stitches (maybe) for the top border. Just so you know, the bind off is stretchy, done as k2, slip 2 stitches back to left needle, k2tog, k1, slip 2 stitches back to left needle, and continue until done. It was a nuisance to do, but the edge worked out rather nicely.
The top of the sock, as you can see, flairs out a bit. As this was the calf area, I figured it would be better to make it the 3 stitches bigger rather than 4 stitches smaller. Maybe I’ll change my mind on that, seeing how it doesn’t have any ribbing on the top. On my leg it looks like it will slide down toward my ankle, which is fine if I want a baggy sock around my ankle, but with this design, I don’t think so.
As far as the overall design of the sock, I’m not displeased, but not happy either. The vertical lines of the ankle and foot are in a nice contrast to the horizontal quality at the top.
At this point, I admit that I am still not sold on toe-up socks. This being my first one, I know I am far from any point of making a definitive statement. There is a lot more still to learn, and certainly I am doing that! And, that was the goal in the first place.
A Request
If you have any sock patterns that you think are just the BEST toe-up sock pattern, leave me a note and a link if there is one. Or email on Ravelry. I’d love to see other socks, and though I do have books on the subjects, the subject is far more vast than I first realized.
Eva’s Needlework, Thousand Oaks, CA
People of talent are found everywhere. In particular, I like Eva Wiechmann of Eva’s Needlework. She’s a creative designer, having a number of books out. She has a series of books out called Pursenalities – lots of purse patterns, knitted, crocheted, and felted. Her newest one is called Simple Stitches, which contains sweaters and tops. You can purchase these books at her online store.
If you are in passing through Thousand Oaks, check out her store. It’s the kind of yarn store I enjoy – jammed with stuff. She has an excellent selection of pattern books (in addition to her own). Samples from her books are on display, too, which gives the knitter a chance to see what they really look like.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 