After working on simple things, I wanted to work on a project with a bit more bite. Something pretty, a bit more challenging and bright, a colour that's going to make me want to put on my sunglasses.
I dug through my stash looking for a yarn more evocative of the riots of colour that you would find in the tropics like Barbados than under the grey skies of the British isles. A bit of colour would do it...snap me out of my winter doldrums.
I found this bright skein gifted to me over a year ago by Kristine, sitting carefully wrapped away. I found the Pomatomus Pattern from Knitty written by the talented Cookie A, who's also part of the Lacy Knitters Guild and thought, oh my heart be still, a Lace Guild!. Naturally, I blame the likes of Kris for putting this pattern into my brain.
Although the pattern said cast on 72 stitches on 2.75mm needles, I thought, 72 stitches... on 2.75mm? I don't have any 2.75mm, what difference would .25mm make? Well ... that's the part when I have to admit to being stupid... It makes quite a bit of difference. Probably about 1-2 centimeters to the sock circumference... which makes these babies just a wee bit tight.
I knew this but I kept knitting another repeat, in blind hope that my legs would slim a bit if I knit faster. Of course, this morning, I got out of bed and knew that it's going to be 'frog' time. I just had to take some photos before I ripped it though, because the pattern is really pretty and very intuitive. I found myself, knitting away with only a few glances at the pattern every now and then.
The yarn is absolutely wonderful to work with. It's very soft, very smooth and very strong. I don't know what it is, but it feels like the same composition of Lorna's Lace. I'm so annoyed that I start over again, especially as I haven't found those 2.75mm needles either.
What is that mysterious sock yarn that is similar to Lorna's Laces? What pretty to-be-frogged socks!
Helen
Posted by: hellahelen at March 15, 2006 09:41 PMi found it really stretchy, and did them on 2.25mm's I was even thinking of trying them 2mm's next time because they turned out big.
and I have big feet
but then i also have loose gage and did (i suspect) one too many pattern repeats in the foot
Posted by: alice at March 15, 2006 05:27 PMIf I keep seeing this pattern around I am going to start jonesing for blue yarns! I already have green yarns on the way for elfine because of this twitch that some certain people have sent my way :)
Posted by: stinkerbell at March 14, 2006 06:50 PMI'm sorry it had to go. I really liked the stripiness of that sock! Hope you find the right size quickly, so you can start over. :-)
I had the same problem this week, but with a lace scarf, so fit wasn't essential. I do wish I'd had the right size, though--I can see how the extra quarter-millimeter would have made the lace that much airier and more delicate. Oh well, next time.
Posted by: Beth S. at March 13, 2006 09:01 PMI'm more than half done with my second Pomatomus, and they are quite stretchy. You might be just fine. Isn't this pattern fun?
Posted by: Amy Lu at March 13, 2006 07:35 PMmuahahahaha! you cannot resist the force of the lace sock!
i switched to 2.5mm on the heel and foot because they seemed wide - think it would have worked for the leg as well. my 2.75mm are a bit nasty to work with, mind you, so maybe my gauge is affected by that.
Posted by: kris at March 13, 2006 10:29 AMI knitted pomatomus on 2.5mm needles for my knitting olympics challenge. I have fat feet but I managed to get the socks on over them without too many worries - the jaywalkers were harder!
That is lovely yarn you are using and isn't it such a nice pattern when you don't think about it? :-)
Your socks look beautiful -- love them. I'm surprised that they're not stretchy enough, but if they're not, then you have to do what you have to do!
Posted by: Kristi at March 13, 2006 06:17 AMPretty! I love that pattern and yarn gives it real flair.
Posted by: Dana at March 13, 2006 04:43 AMOh well, live and learn. You have saved me from making the same mistake. I have been mentally lining up the Pomatomus socks as my next project and thinking the same thing about the minor little difference of .25mm ! Now I will have to go dpn shopping as I don't think I have 2.75mms either...
Posted by: Meg at March 12, 2006 10:31 PMI'm in love with your sock(s); the pattern, the yarn, I'm in lust with your sock(s).
Posted by: Beverly at March 12, 2006 09:45 PMHi Polly
I was trying to reply to your comment on my blog but it keeps on bouncing back ? Anyway, next time I'm in London I'll definitely let you know :0) My sister lives there so I'm down a couple of times a year !
Heather
Posted by: Heather at March 12, 2006 08:10 PMI have skinny legs ;) Unfortunately not...
I love the look of the pattern - is it easy to follow? It looks very different from the usual sock patterns and quite interesting to look at.
Posted by: Amelia at March 12, 2006 08:03 PMI'm having the same problem this week. I started a pair of "Rib & Cable Socks" from IK (I think the Winter issue), and they looked small. I kept stretching them out and thought that they would fit, but didn't actually try to get them on over my foot until last night. Yeah. Not going to happen. I could get them on with some effort, but my feet are much more narrow than my MIL's (who the socks are for). Had to rip an entire leg's worth of work. I was acutally looking at the Pomatomus pattern this morning as an alternate plan (I don't know if I can bring myself to knit all those ribs and cables again!).
Posted by: Natalie at March 12, 2006 02:28 PMThat is so pretty Polly ! Couldn't you find a friend with skinny legs to save you ripping out all that work ??
Posted by: Heather at March 12, 2006 01:27 PMI hope that you find the 2.75s too, Polly, the colours and the pattern are just beautiful. Definitely something to brighten the miserable weather we're having lately. Enjoy!
Posted by: Louise at March 11, 2006 10:30 PMBeautiful socks Polly!! I hope you find that 2.75 mm cause these are gonna be so pretty and spring-like on your "I'm so done with winter" feet!
PS- The secret is have at least 4 sets of DPNs so you never have to look far :)
Posted by: Debi at March 11, 2006 08:57 PM