deliberation
Jun 7th, 2007 by jennie
I’m spending a lovely week at my parents house, relaxing, writing, and generally killing time before my close (and oldest) friend gets married this weekend. My parents have a beautiful backyard.
It’s a great place to read, type away on Magda, and (of course) knit. And for all that I’ve been saying that I’m committed to finishing old prjects, I keep finding myself starting new ones. Like the Baby Bootikins (on hold until I find more Regia silk. Anyone? Anyone?). Or the Cotton-Candy Socks. Or these:
The Gentleman’s Sock with Lozenge Pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks. Re-sized, of course, for me. This is where I have a dilema. You see, this pattern is a dream to knit — interesting, but easy to memorize. Doesn’t require a lot of concentration, but engaging enough to make it fly. And the yarn? The yarn is amazing. This was part of my fantastic yarn aboard swap gift from Sprite — two skeins of heavenly Woolarina superwash in the most fantastic shade of turquoise/green. The flashes of spring green in this yarn are so shocking, so unexpected — I wanted a pattern that was gonna highlight this. So here is my problem:
1. Does this pattern really show off the yarn to it’s best potential?
2. Is the ribbing too tight? In these photos, I have the sock pulled up as high as it can go, which is about mid calf. The pattern calls for a 10.5 inch sock, and as it is now, it’s gonna be shorter than that. And I feel like the ribbing doesn’t look great stretched out like that. Can you see it?
[pardon the craptastic photo here… this is what happens when I try to photograph backwards and kinda upside down. But you get the point. Right?]
Should I frog and reknit something else?
3. Do you have any better pattern suggestions? I was thinking Flint Knits’ new Marigold Socks. Or maybe Child’s First Sock (from KVS). Or a pattern of my own invention. Or myriad others.
What patterns do you love for slightly variegated yarns?
For that yarn (love the turquoise with bursts of green), you could do a plain stockinette sock, or my current obsession, Monkey! Hedera might be nice too. I do really like the leg pattern on your Gentlemen’s Sock with Lozenge pattern, so maybe just keep the leg/lozenge pattern and do whatever your favorite cuff is. So many choices!
I second the monkey vote or even pomatomus.
I think it would also work well for childs first.
Man I am no help at all!
Have a great time at the wedding!!
Monkey would probably look good! Your parents’ back yard looks wonderful - wish I was sitting there right now!
Well, from here it looks fine but if you must rip, I would recommend the pattern I just finished (Craftaholic’s Orchid). I used Woolarina too and they came out so well. I was really pleased with the product. I’ve also made CFS and found it thoroughly addicting and perfectly wonderful. I think the Pomatomus (or whatever it’s called) looks good with slightly variegated yarn too but I haven’t used that pattern.
Maybe Anastasia?
http://pepperknit.com/blog/archives/category/socks/anastasia-socks/
I like Roza’s sock from the spring interweave, I also think I might have some Regia for you. This week has been crazy, but I’ll check and comment on Saturday.
I knit a version of that sock for my husband in Lorna’s Laces (I can’t remember the name of the colorway, but it’s brown and orange) and it looks really neat. Not too much pattern to crowd the colors, and not too much color to crowd the pattern. If you’re concerned about the ribbing, I would just make the leg shorter than what the pattern says so that the ribbing isn’t too stretched.
The ribbing definitely looks a little on the snug side. Okay, maybe a lot on the snug side… I think you should go for the Marigold pattern, only b/c I want to see more of them knit up. I also think Hederas would work well and would look fantastic in that color!
I must agree with everyone that the ribbing looks too tight. I always struggle with this–I like tight socks! but too tight is no good either.
I’m so sorry you’re not in Philly right now! I’m sitting in West Philly as I type
What about the Snicket Socks from Sep 06 Magknits? I just saw some really lovely ones at Craftoholic…
Hi - I somehow deleted your e-mail (sorry), but do have a small ball or the sock yarn I can send your way. The only thing is work is crazy this week so I probably can’t send it until Saturday. Drop me an e-mail and we can figure out the details!
I’ve seen some rocking pomatomus knit in variegated yarn - the patterning can definitely stand up to some stripey action!