I so often read about people loving variegated yarns on the hank, but hating it, when it's knitted up. The reason for the hate seems to be related to the pooling effect when the fabric gets globs of colours gathering together. It appears that there is some sort of magic number of stitches per inch that would prevent this from happening, but due to the nature of hand processing, this magic number varies from skein to skein. So knitting with variegated yarns not only requires a certain amount of persistence but also requires an openness to accepting the pooling effect. You can get around this by using 2 skeins, but when working socks, 2 skeins just isn't that practical.
After 4 goes at this sock, I think that I've cracked one of the magic numbers for this skein. It's Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock in Jaypond. I'm going to admit that I prefer this colour knitted up far more than on the skein. I've tried out a variety of patterns from a very simple lace to the Unst sock from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road. All these designs gave too much pooling. In the end, I went up a needle size and worked a simple rib with a baby cable. What can I say but oooooh, I think I'm hitting my stride, so better not slow down.
The salmon goes really well with the blues and greens. I was a bit put off by it when I started but now I really like the way that it adds a dash of excitement to the fabric. These are still going into the Christmas pile, but I've found myself suddenly a falling behind schedule and also longing for some socks for me. (must be because the nights are getting colder)
I'm only behind schedule because I keep ripping, dissatified with the pooling, the effect of the lace patterns with the yarn, etc. Knitting gifts can be so fraught, esp. when making things for knitters. You want to make something really nice because the recipient is a knitter and would appreciate it, but then the paranoia starts setting in what if it isn't good enough? What if she'll think that I didn't bothering choosing more expensive yarns or a more appropriate style or worst, what if the recipient would rather have the yarn and make it herself?
Givin these thoughts means I'm considering giving up and just sending chocolate ;-) Now that's food for thought.
Must knit and party less.... !
Sock looks great! I love the colors. And I really like your blog redesign. Very nice.
Posted by: Martha at December 15, 2004 08:39 PMFunny you should write about this now. I have just started my first pair of socks using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn colour 74 'Mother Lode'. The pooling is really bad (72 sts), but it is somehow slowly moving left making a spiral down the cuff and ankle. The heel and gusset looks good, but the pooling starts again after the gusset decreases. This is my first knitting in six weeks. A bad tennis elbow has kept me from knitting. Your sock looks great, wish I had your patience with ripping and starting over...
Posted by: Sissel at December 15, 2004 12:45 AMPolly, I think the socks are really pretty and you certainly do seem to have found the magic number, something I don't think I have ever achieved with variegated yarn without using 2 balls at a time - but then, I don't knit socks!
Posted by: Lesley at December 14, 2004 09:21 PMYour socks look great Polly. I enjoy knitting socks with variegated yarns, but I had a lot of trouble with pooling while knitting with Lorna's Laces. I'm sure the recepient will appreciate the time taken over them, especially if they are a fellow knitter.
Posted by: Mary at December 14, 2004 03:13 PMMmm, more chocolate whilst knitting, that's the answer. A. xx
Posted by: Amelia at December 14, 2004 02:17 PMThe unpredictability is part of the draw for me with sock yarn,but then again although i CAN do the math I often choose not to. I spent a ludicrous amount of time knitting a pair of socks for my extremeties exchange partner earlier this year and knit four socks before I was happy to send Olga her gift. My own DELIGHT at receiving something made especially for me is enough to sustain me under the pressure to complete my still quite long list of gifts for his christmas. I am very much looking forward to taking something for myself away at New Year but I wil also have my son Sam's imminent birthday to be knitting for.
Posted by: Kirstie at December 13, 2004 11:51 PMI'm just finishing socks in Lorna's Laces Childsplay colourway. I was a bit disconcerted because I used the first part of the skein for baby socks that were beautiful. Then cast on 54 sts for adult socks and these weird psychedelic acid colours emerged,pooling all over the place.But I've decided I want them for myself anyway.I'm with whoever said (above) that the colours will do their own thing once you're past the gusset. Interesting to read your thoughts on the subject.
Posted by: Tessa at December 13, 2004 05:32 PMPooling....what an interesting post with interesting pictures. I suppose that magic number is thought of when Lion Brand made that magic sock yarn, yes? I haven't knitted anything with variated yarn (can you believe it?), so this is something to think about.
Knitter would be totally understand because if they wouldn't know your thought process like their own ;)
Very pretty! Love Lorna's Laces yarn. Pretty colorway!
Posted by: Eilene at December 13, 2004 04:17 PMThe socks are fabulous, Polly. I've found that even when I can avoid pooling or flashing on the leg of my socks, the yarn begins to pool after I complete the gusset decreases and begin working the foot. I've never tried my theory that an afterthought heel would remedy this.
Posted by: Susan at December 13, 2004 04:00 PMPolly, please do not fret! your socks are beautiful, and they would still be beautiful if the colors were pooling all over. I think it really does not matter, anybody would love them and a knitter most of all.
But i do know what you (and Kay) are talking about, knitting for knitters can be more stressful than knitting in general. why do we do this to ourselves?
as for myself, this year no holiday knitting and lots of chocolate...
party less??? that is blasphemy!
that said I have a pair of mountain colors socks that have teh berry patch as I called it: Pooling ALL over the back of my calf.
Posted by: stinkerbell at December 13, 2004 10:06 AMThe sock looks beautiful Polly. If the recipient is a knitter and the worst comes to the worst, couldn't you just give her/him the pattern, yarn and needle and call it a kit ?!
Posted by: Heather at December 13, 2004 09:42 AMafter my weekend i'd have to say "knit more, party less", as i am also very behind on my schedule. christmas is NEXT WEEK. ooops.
Posted by: kris at December 13, 2004 09:23 AMSuch a pretty colour combination. Alison from The Blue Blog also had trouble with some pooling on socks, although the last ones she made looked fantastic. They were a gorgeous blue with a flash of orange in them which zigzagged through. I agree with the other comments, anything knitted would be greatly received. A knitter appreciates the care and time taken in such a gift.
Posted by: Tracy at December 13, 2004 09:05 AMI love your socks, the colours are wonderful and you definitely seem to have cracked the pooling gremlin. How could anyone not be thrilled to bits with anything you knit for them? But I know what you mean about knitting for a knitter, I never think my work is good enough for another knitter especially when they are a better knitter than me. But it is the thought and love that counts.
Posted by: Louise at December 13, 2004 08:49 AMI had this experience with the last exchange---worrying about yarn and pattern choices and being stuck in indecision over what to make for a knitter--which meant long delays and no fun knitting the thing. I kept telling myself this was silly. It IS silly. A knitter appreciates knitting. Period. It's not a contest. (And if it WERE a contest, who are we kidding, you'd be in the winners circle, blanketed in roses!) (But it's NOT a contest!)
Christmas knitting can just suck the joy out of it! Falalalalalalalal! Kay
Posted by: Kay at December 13, 2004 05:45 AMI have also noticed the stitch you are useing can also affect how a varigated yarn looks once knitted up. Most seem to look better in stockinette then in garter stich to me. Of course that could be to do with the "magic number" also.
Posted by: dorothy at December 13, 2004 03:45 AM