This Magic Moment

Every sock knitter knows that magic moment, when you turn the heel. It means that you've past the midpoint and are into the the home-stretch. I've made a bit more progress with the Johnny sock. I've even finished the gusset decreases.

I've modified the pattern slightly, by :

1. carrying the pattern down into the foot instead of doing a stocking stitch foot. It a personal thing, I find patterned leg + stocking stitch foot to be a bit disjointed, so unless it's a bumpy cable, I usually carry the pattern down. It's more effort, but I think worth it, especially, as handknitted socks do last a long time.

2. The cuff is a quarter of an inch shorter than the pattern states and the pattern repeat is slightly longer (instead of 48 rows in the pattern stitch, I did 56 rows) I'm making this sock to fit a UK 11 foot (approx. US 12), so I wanted the leg slightly longer so that the sock looks balanced with not worn. By balanced, I mean if you fold the socks are the heel turning, the length of the foot should be roughly equal to the length of the leg. That's alledgedly the proper length for a crew sock.

3. I've reduced the number of stiches on the foot by 4 to accommodate a snugger fit. I hate wearing baggy socks.

Ten Reason to Knit Socks

1. Very portable project, easily fits into you bag and if you knit on your commute, using short or circular needles, you are far less likely to stab someone other than yourself.

2. Most sock projects require a minimum of finishing, it's really cast-on, knit, and kitchener. If you've got a good ball of yarn, you may only have to sew in the cast on length and the kitchenered length of yarn

3. You can inject a bit of colour into your life. and you're absolutely spoiled for choice. There are so many interesting and fun yarns to try. Half the fun is watching the pattern develop.
self-patterning : Regia, Opal, Socka, Fortissima, Lang
varigated: Lorna's laces, Mountain Colours, Cherry Tree Hill, koigu
as well as the more mundane tweeds, greys, blacks, browns and blues
you might even want to pick up a few ounces of 'glow in the dark' yarn to make your socks more intersting on a camping trip.

4. Loads of free pattens on the web and once you 'get it' you'll be able to do the basics without a pattern.

5. It's a very useful garment, especially if you live in a cold climate, and handmade socks are thicker and more cushiony than the store bought ones. Perfect for outdoor activities.

6. Even with the basic top-down socks, there are quite a few technique involved (which can make it more difficult for the newer knitter). These techniques include short row shaping, long-tail cast-on, joining circular knitting, kitchener stitch, picking up stitches, and knitting in the round. Not to mention using double pointed or circular needles.

7. You will get a lot of attention from strangers. People always seem amazed that I am knitting with cocktail sticks. Older people are amazed that anyone under 70 knows how to knit socks and children are fascinated by the process. If you are gregarious, you can smile back knowingly and talk about you're knitting. If you've had a foul day, you can wield those double pointed needles threateningly at them and if they have any sense, they will back off.

8. Depending on the yarn and the pattern you pick, the knitting can be quick (if you need a quick win) or take weeks (if you are trying to eek out your yarn budget).

9. You can show off your socks in those clear Regia boots.

10. It makes a great gift, and people don't get self-conscious if they are asked what size shoe that they wear.

Interesting Tidbit
It's endearing for you to call your significant *mon chou* in French. Do that in English and well, does anyone's significant other want be be endearingly referred to as a vegetable?

Posted by atu at September 10, 2003 07:22 PM