This is less of a pattern and more of a story. If you’re just here for the photos and pattern – scroll down; for those who want the story, read on:
I’ve pretty much figured out that I’m a product knitter. I like FO’s. I don’t like having WIP’s. I mean, I love casting on and getting a ton of projects going – but I want the project done so I can use it or gift it or have it do something instead of sit on my needles, because that means I can’t use those needles until the project is done. The vicious circle continues.
These socks are a gift to a friend of mine, Seed. I had originally planned to make her a shrug, but that was completely frogged to save my sanity. She was okay with that and looked forward to her new socks, which were going to be simple stockinette. At the time, I only did stockinette socks because I just wasn’t ready for lace patterns.
My friend selected pretty sock yarn and I took her measurements, but I had a queue so she had to wait a bit. There was another pair that I was in the middle of that I had promised before Seed’s socks, so I had to make good on that promise. However, that turned into my first non-stockinette pattern – the Wyvern. It turned out really well, but I had some logistics to work out and that took some extra time.
Then my brother-in-law came visiting and I was determined to gift him a pair of socks before he left – also in a pattern, but blissfully easier (and in 11 days; I am not a fast knitter so this was a speed marathon). Seed was gracious and patient through all this furious sock-making.
Of course, now finished with those, I couldn’t possibly return to Seed’s project and give her plain stockinette! Somehow, that just wasn’t enough for me any more – but I didn’t want anything too crazy because (1) I wasn’t about to lose my mind for what was supposed to be a relaxing hobby and (2) I didn’t want to detract from the fun variegation in the yarn. Not that I didn’t try to, at first.
There was a simple ribbed lace pattern I thought would be fun and brain-engaging and something new to learn, but all those yarn-overs changed the colours of the sock. It became darker and I lost some of the variegation; it was looking plain and the lace just looked like I slipped one too many stitches on accident. I went on two repeats of that 8-row pattern and wasn’t happy at all, starting to tink it.
After the second night of undoing what I did, I realised that it was taking me longer than necessary. This was painful. It stressed me out that this was becoming more of a chore than a joy. This isn’t why I knit. I am a product knitter – but I love the process of turning string into a 3-dimensional, wearable, functional object. So, I sucked it up and frogged the entire sock. I needed to start fresh.
I tried again, wanting to incorporate the seed stitch (it was thanks to Seed I actually learned of the seed stitch) – but still keeping it simple. I decided that I was going to have seed stitch stripes on stockinette for the tops of her socks. I also wanted to give her a bit of a treat for her feet, so I decided on Princess Soles (purls on the outside of the sock while the wearer has the knitting against their skin). It meant a heck of a lot of purling and I discovered that I purl very tightly so I think either side is ridiculously smooth, anyway, but never mind.
I saw the rows of seed stitch as little speed bumps on an otherwise very smooth sock. I was instantly reminded of dinabugg's Speedbump Scarf - and then it really hit me. I had been knitting this all wrong. Again, it had turned into "knitting as a chore/work" instead of knitting as fun and interesting and magical.
I realised that I wasn't just giving Seed a tangible reminder to slow down and enjoy life (because I'm always telling Seed this "take care of yourself well" stuff) - but myself as well. These socks took me longer than I anticipated (about a month), but I actually really loved the physical act of knitting them up and watching the veriegated yarn make patterns in the socks. I had a great time making these and the meaning behind them is something I need to remind myself of because if you're not taking care of yourself - well, then, what the heck are you doing?
Thanks to dinabugg for the name idea - I know I wouldn't have come up with this by myself
concept by me, named by dinabugg
I do my socks toe-up, but this isn't rocket science and you can do them however you like. Have fun and enjoy the process of making these socks because that's the whole point.
Materials used:
1 long (47"?) circular needle, size US2/2.75mm
1 skein of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino
I calculate my measurements via the Universal Toe-Up Sock Formula on Knitty.com like so:
- measure the ball of the foot (for foot circumference)
- multiply foot circumference by 0.9 to get the sock circumference
- get my gauge (just do the swatch - you don't want to suffer later!!!)
- multiply sock circumference by gauge and then you know how my stitches you need to increase to
I use Judy's magic cast on and, depending on the shape feet, will cast on anywhere between 16 and 20 stitches to either have a pointed or rounded toe. It's a bit tricky at first, but you can use dpns or 2 circulars (or 1, in my case). If you're doing socks one at a time, you don't have to worry about the second half of those directions, either.
Decide which will be the top of your foot and which will be your sole.
For the top of your foot:
2 rows of seed stitch
row 1 *k1, p1* (repeat until the end)
row 2 *p1, k1* (repeat until the end)
repeat rows 1 & 2 once more to make 2 rows of seed stitch
row 3 thru 10 k1 across (stockinette stitch)
For the soles:
Princess Sole aka reverse stockinette stitch (purl all sole stitches)
After completing the heel, you can now switch to using the seed stitch speed bump pattern entirely around the leg, or leave it only on the top of the foot while the back is knit or ribbed.
I did a small 1" cuff of 2x2 rib and then cast off as follows:
K2, insert LH needle into the front and k2tog which will give you one stitch on the RH needle
K one more stitch and repeat the above until you have no more stitches left
Stretch every few stitches of your cast off to keep it loose (I stretched every other stitch because I have a tendency to pull far too tightly)
Weave in your ends - and wear or gift your lovely new socks!
Recent Comments