Tuesday, January 18, 2011

foot fête-ish

i am a sock-knitting FIEND right now. here’s my second pair, finished last night. i used the basic sock pattern jason let me copy and came up with my own pattern for the color chart.

this was my first time doing such extensive colorwork. it kept things interesting.

i’m not accustomed to mindful knitting--i used to only like projects that i could work without any concentration, not even looking at my work while i do other stuff at the same time. with something like this i can sit and half pay attention to tv or listen to music but that’s about it.

this pattern is such an improvement over the one i used before. there are a few techniques in it that i wasn’t familiar with (like the heel turn and short-row knitting) but overall it was much simpler, and it even did a way-superior job of explaining kitchener stitch. plus these look better and fit better than the other ones.

it’s a very versatile pattern, too. in worsted weight yarn it’s 40 stitches to the row, so you can evenly work repeating patterns of 2, 4, 5, 8, 10 or 20 stitches, and it’s adjustable to fit almost any adult foot size.

the back heel flap is knitted in sl 1, k 1 repeating on the public side (and purl on the private side), which yields a nice and durable, less-stretchy, thicker fabric than stockinette stitch.

handmade socks are incredible. it’s a whole new sock-wearing experience. we’re all used to the typical machine-made socks that are designed to fit a range of sizes, allowing the natural stretch of the knit fabric to conform to the size of your foot, but slipping into a pair of socks made to the exact dimensions of your own feet is just...wow. fuzzy foot hugs. it’s like wearing a super-comfy sweater on your feet.

6 comments:

Jessica said...

These are incredible! I want to learn to knit things that I don't have to look at or pay attention to, at least at first. The kind of knitting that I can watch movies to or take to happy hour. But eventually, I'd love to be able to make ornate, beautiful socks like these.

Goneferalinidaho said...

I love the color combination. Great job.

Emily said...

jessica--i'm totally with you on mindless knitting, it's definitely good to start out with that. i've been knitting for five years now and i'm just starting to branch out and do more difficult things...there's a lot to be said for sticking to the easy stuff.

goneferal--thank you!

the Knottie Knitta said...

My absolute favorite pair of socks that i have are ones my mom made me...hand knit socks are the best! i think i'm going to go out on friday and pick up a cute self-striping yarn and finally crack open my learn to make socks book...want to knit together spoon?

Emily said...

yeah of course! go for it spoonay!

be said...

love!