Paton's – Ink, Yarn & Beer

F.O.

I’ve been knitting in between playing with three different – no, four different – cameras. I’ve got some mitts I’m working on for Josh, a shawl out of Noro, and I just finished the Flip Flop Socks in Paton’s Socks in the City booklet.

These toe socks were not really hard to do, but I think that the instructions were rather peculiar. The yarn colors are also odd, making me think of the colors of rayon dresses of the 30s and 40s, but these odd colors I find quite appealing. Out of all the stripes that Paton’s has in this series of sock yarn, I really like this one the best. It is called “Summer Moss Jacquard” and about 2/3 of two balls are used altogether.

One of the criticisms I have about the pattern is that they measure the foot length from where the heel is turned, and where the gusset joins. I just measured my usual 7.5 inches before beginning the toe. Another criticism is that the little toes are only an inch long – if I were to have followed those instructions, I would not be happy. They should say something to the effect of “knit until 1/4 inch shy of length of second toe, then begin decreases.” Something like that. And the big toe needs to be custom fit as well. There are other oddities in the pattern as well, which I ignored, and met with success anyhow.

This yarn seems to want to pill a bit, but it could just be that I need to wash them so that any little fuzzies can go bye-bye. I’ve never had any complaints about Kroy sock yarn – it is a workhorse of a yarn and very reasonably priced. These days it seems that solid colors are hard to come by, whereas about ten years ago, patterned yarn was far more of a challenge. Obviously, fads come and go.

Self-striping yarn is always fun to work with – it keeps me visually entertained during plain knitting. What will the next round bring? However, self-striping yarn is not something to use with cables or lace, unless you want to get specific effects. For instance, Mini Mochi is a self-striping yarn, but the stripes are miles apart, so lace or cables can be seen, and not lost in the pattern of the color. If you use narrower striped yarn, patterns which create ripples can be fun, as then the lines of color undulate.

These socks, despite pattern issues, were really a lot of fun, and an easy, quick knit. Below are my own socks! Not as elegantly photographed, but still pretty good . . .

A Foray into Toe-Up Socks, iii

Moving along here. I’m not so sure about this sock, but I shall persevere. Ever onward! After all, this is Toe-Up Sock #1. Let us honor it, rather than destroy it. I shall plod to the end of my perceived design, but rather than bind off permanently, allow myself the option of ripping – after the mate is begun. Here is evidence of my hard work, done while watching Season 1, Discs 8 and 9, of The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The toe fits rather nicely. You can see how the poor yarn has been thrashed by being ripped out and knitted up about five times. It fits comfortably. The lace pattern is a stretchy lace rib, which I figure should give some shape to the sock if I don’t like the heel – and some give it is tight. I have a very high arch, so went this route deliberately. Some texts and websites state that the short-row heel may not be the best for my kind of foot. Looking at the sock in profile, I rather agree. Still, it is comfortable on the foot, but perhaps the real test will be if I wear it with shoes.

Here is the sock, sans foot. The heel is very pointy! You can see it in the shadow of the picture above, and in the one below.

I turned the heel, using a short-row technique, no gussets, and with help from the following video, which was extraordinarily clear:

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think! I’d love to hear from you.

A Foray into Toe-Up Socks, ii

I will say, the Kroy sock yarn I’ve been knitting and frogging, knitting and frogging, has held up great! It is some I’ve had in my stash for ages, and was made in Canada.

In my last post, I showed you a picture of a toe I’d started. It did not last long. I ripped it out and began again when I realized I had totally messed up on the design of the sock pattern. I miscalculated my stitches, and ripped back partially, but the poor yarn was so frazzled I finally just raveled the entire sock toe. And began again. This time I got it.

Here is the beginning of the pattern, if you would like to follow along. If I like it enough, I will write up the pattern and post it.

WIP: Toe Up Sock #1

Using Turkish cast-on, cast on 8 stitches. Work 2 rounds on 2 needles (see videos mentioned in other post for more details).

Round 3, on needle 1: k1, kfb, k2, place marker, knit to second-to-last stitch and in it kfb, k1. Total of 10 stitches. On needle 2: k1, kfb, k2 more stitches. Total of 5 stitches. You now will have 3 needles. Get new needle, and continue on: k2, kfb, k1. Total of 20 stitches spread over 3 needles, 5 on needle 1 (heel needle), 10 on needle 2 (instep), and 5 on needle 3 (heel).

Note: Placing the marker will be in the center of the instep needle is a great way to reference the number stitches – the instep needle should have twice as many stitches as each heel needle, with the marker making in the center being an easy way to make sure you are on track.

If you want to use 4 needles, divide stitches evenly over needles.

Round 4: Knit

Round 5: at the end of needle one, closest to the instep needle, you will begin your toe increases by kfb in the second to last stitch. Needle 1: k3, kfb, k1. Needle 2: k1, kfb, k to second-to-last stitch and kfb in that stitch, k1. Needle 3: k1, kfb, k to end of needle. 6 stitches on each heel needle, 12 stitches on instep.

Round 6: knit.

Round 7: Increase as for round 5.

Repeat rounds 6 and 7 until you have 14 stitches on each heel needle, and 28 stitches across instep. Total of stitches is 56.

Next round: knit

Next round: k 14 on needle 1; increase as before on instep needle, k 14 on needle 3. Total of stitches: 14 on heel needles, 30 stitches on instep.

Next round: knit.

Next round: k 14 on needle 1, increase as before on instep needle, k 14 on needle 3. Total of stitches: 14 on heel needles, 32 stitches on instep needle.

Next round: knit

Next round: Begin pattern on instep needle, ending k2. Place markers to divide each pattern repeat. There will be 5 pattern repeats. Thusly, K 14 on needle 1; follow Chart A being sure to end k2 on needle 2 (32 st); k 14 on heel needle 3. Continue in pattern.

And that is all for now!

I’ve just begun, but plan on stopping about 3 inches short of my usual foot length for socks, which is 9 inches. I plan on knitting 6 inches from the cast on toe. Let’s see what happens!

Reasons for Toe-Up Socks

The usual preferences given for toe-up socks are being able to try on the sock while knitting, and to be able to use the yarn to the last bit. Let’s add to this to the list: it’s a great place to hide mistakes if you don’t want to rip!