Sockapalooza 4

Back in June, it seemed like the thing to do.  I signed up to be involved in Sockapalooza 4.  The socks weren't due until August, so I had lots of time.  Being the procrastinator that I am, I pretty much did nothing the entire month of June.  "Lots of time, you have lots of time." 

Not so much anymore.  I pulled out some Socks that Rock that I got at Rhinebeck last year (or maybe it was Stitches) and got to looking for a pattern.  My sock pal requested non-wool - my STR is superwash.  She also wanted to break out of her color rut, which is purple, blue, and turquoise.  Take a look at the sherbet colorway.  I think this is breaking out of her color rut.  Sassy says she likes the individual colors, and loves the stripes at the toe, but doesn't like the pooling of the colors on the instep. 

The sock is the Crenellated toe-up sock from Lucy Neatby's Cool Socks, Warm Feet book.  I'm not a big fan of toe up socks, but I like the technique that Lucy has come up with here.  The only other pair of toe up socks I've done had that figure 8 cast on and it about drove me mad.  This one, you do a provisional cast on and carry waste yarn up the sides.  When you have your square, you pick up the stitches around the waste yarn and pull out your provisional cast on - voila, you have a toe.  This is the 72 stitch version and I think that's what's making the pooling happen.  Has anyone else had this issue?  It seems to me that there's a magic number for most sock yarns that creates that pooling.  I have a feeling that the second sock will pool differently and I'll end up with a fraternal twins pair of socks.  I hope my sock pal isn't anal about having them match perfectly.

The sock also has a different kind f heel than any I've done before.  When you get to the spot for the heel, you knit those stitches with waste yarn and then go back and knit over those stitches with your working yarn.  When you're finished with the top of the sock, you go back and pull out that yarn and knit the heel from there.

Now that I've realized that I have to finish these socks to be able to send them out in early August, I'm splitting my time between spinning for the Tour and knitting on the socks.  Makes for an interesting evening.

Comments

[Lera Cavanaugh]

Hi, I don't know if you remember me or not--we were in Betty's Navajo Weaving class together. I have been following along on your blog occasionally. I am glad that you are back on your feet. I am also happy that you now like your Woolie Winder--I have been thinking about buying one for my Joy. If you want you can drop me a line at ljcavanaughmi@comcast.net Take Care, Lera

[beth]

Hey, can you email me about SOAR? It seems that I am now without a room mate and could use someone fun. I'm sure you'll be with Jillian but if you could put me in touch with someone I wouldn't irritate that would be great!