I cast on my June socks earlier this week, and I just finished the heel on the first sock. I think I might have a chance of finishing them by the end of the month. Maybe.
The pattern is Midsummer Night’s Dream (Knitty Fall 2009) and the yarn is Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in Canopy. I had meant to design my own pattern for my June socks, but was running out of time with the end of June very near. I just have too much else going on to manage it all, so I thought the smart thing to do would be to find a pattern that already exists—and I’m so glad I did.
I love this pattern so far—it’s everything I want in a pattern. I get to use my brain. It has some easy parts so I don’t have to always use my brain. (Excellent.) The leaves are charming to knit and look at afterwards and the yarn overs (without decreases in the same round) give a wavy look to the stem—brilliant pattern writing, if you ask me.
Patterns like this remind me just how much I still have to learn about knitting, especially if I want to get serious about this pattern-writing thing. So far, I don’t think my design ideas are edgy enough for Knitty, so I guess it’s good that I’m not trying to get in. Yet. For now I’m just writing patterns for the design ideas that pop into my head at random moments, inspired by nature and the seasons. Someday I hope to get an idea creative enough (and technical enough!) to get into Knitty.
Oooh. These are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you might be able to help me out with a sock question. I am planning to knit some socks for my husband and I have knit cuff-down baby socks before and started a pair of socks for me toe-up, but the cuff didn't wind up stretchy enough at the top so I quit. Anyway, I am trying to get back to sock knitting and have some experience, but was wondering: (1) Do you have a great pattern you'd recommend for a basic men's sock? I was looking at the simple pattern that's in the Debbie Stoller book for men and I also have the Folk Socks book and some other patterns. (2) Getting back into sock knitting, do you think it'd be better to go with toe up or cuff down, or should I pick a pattern that is one or the other and just work with it? (3) I was also contemplating trying 2 at a time toe-up on one circular needle (I have that book, too) but wondered if I should wait on that until I've successfully knit some socks in another way first? Any advice and tips for the semi-beginner sock knitter would be greatly appreciated! Kathy at http://www.needleandspade.com
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteYour cast-off may have been too tight. Try Jeny's super-stretchy cast-off: http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall09/FEATjssbo.php
I don't know any good men's socks patterns off hand, but I'm sure you can find some simple ones on Ravelry.
I think people would say cuff-down and toe-up socks are about the same in difficulty level, but cuff-down might be a touch easier because toe-up cast-ons are a little trickier. But people who hate grafting might disagree!
I'm a process knitter, so I've never tried knitting two socks at a time. I don't really see the allure!
Thanks so much for the stretch cast-off and the other advice! I think I'll find a pattern that looks pretty easy and just knit one at a time. Looking forward to knitting some socks! -- Kathy
ReplyDelete