Riding the Wave

Here is the start of my Surf Sock (as always click any pic for a bigger image).  The stitch pattern is a 3x2 slipped stitch rib that wiggles back and forth.  I used k2tog or ssk to decrease and yarnovers to increase.  Here the yarnovers are closed (ETA: purled through the back of the loop) on the next round.  I'm not sure why I closed the yarnovers because my swatch was not that way.

The swatch shows the wiggles better.  Maybe it is the open yarnovers, maybe it is the nature of a swatch to mislead (pesky swatch). 

Whatever. I am not feeling the love with this pattern stitch. 

I loveLOVElove the yarn.  It is surprisingly soft and wonderful to knit, so I don't want to waste it on a pattern that isn't clicking.  I have sent Surf to its room to think about what it has done.

I am feeling the love from Florida.  Debi and I have been emailing and getting to know each other (don't you love how knit blogs can bring people together?!).  Somehow it was revealed that I have never knit on Trekking sock yarn.  She offered to send me a skein and even offered a a handful of colorways for me to pick from.  How could I turn down an offer like that?  After seeing her beautiful Blackberry Waffle Socks, I selected the purple (#78).  I love monochromatic and subtle colorways.

Imagine my surprise when I opened my mail last week to find not one, but two beautiful sock yarns.  What a sweet and generous gift.  She said that pictures don't do the multi-color skein (#28) justice.  Boy is she right.  It is full of so many colors.  I had to make a swatch to see how it knits up.

Have I mentioned that swatches are a gateway drug?

So I am riding the wave that came in.  The swatch turned into this sock.  I am calling it the Debi Sock (oh, but, don't be fooled, I am keeping it for me).  It uses her preferred cast-on (German twisted) and her very own mini flap and gusset yarnover short-row heel. 

It was my first time using the German twisted cast-on and I like it quite a bit.  It is very elastic and attractive.

The heel is nice too.  Debi incorporates a small heel flap and gusset with the yo short-row heel.  I am expecting a nice fit (it is still a little to early to tell).  The yo short-row heel is another first for me. I followed the tutorial here.

I may have made the heel too pointy.  I'll assess once the sock is further along and modify the second sock accordingly.

The pattern stitch I am using is a simple yarnover chevron.  This is the front of the sock (the back is the same).  The ribbing is a 3x1 slipped stitch rib aligned with the chevron decreases. 

I love this yarn!  I love the wild colors and the shortness of the color bursts.  I know, I was just saying that I love monochromatic and subtle.  I do, I do.  I guess I love it all.

Happy sock, happy knitter.

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Comments

[elizabeth]

I knit blueberry waffle socks out of Trekking 78 and I loved every stitch! I lived for those subtle color changes so I know just what you mean.

[AuntieAnn]

Um, pardon my ignorance, but what are "closed" and "open" YO's? I started writing a post today about my angst in trying to find the right pattern for a yarn, too, but I will have to finish it another day.

[Lisa]

Oh I am so glad you got to try Trekking. It is one of my favorite sock yarns. Those subtle color changes get me every time.

[LaurieM]

Yep, I love the Trekking too! And there's so many colors to choose from.

I like seeing the surf yarn knit up, even if you don't like the stitch pattern. It looks really nice.

[Debi]

The sock looks GREAT Maia!! I'm so glad you're enjoying the new yarn - that #28 is way dishy isn't it? The pattern really works with the colors too! Your heel looks pretty good to me, not too "pointy" at all, especially once it's on your foot! Can't wait to see the modeling shot!

[Jamisyn]

Your Surf socks are beautiful...I am wildly jealous. Green is my favorite color and I have yet to find a colorway in green that I want to spin :(. The waffle socks are scrumptious. I love Trekking. I've made my man several socks using double stranded Trekking, good for big feet. I also just finished the first pair of Trekking for myself and I think they are wonderful!

[Ronni]

Oh golly, I love, love, love those socks! You must teach me how to knit socks faster. I'm not knitting as fast as my obsession is growing.

[angelarae]

Love those sock patterns. The yarn isn't half bad either;-> I like the wave pattern, especially with that yarn. Let them sit, though.(wonder how it looks on the foot?) Did you see the baby socks I knit? Closest thing I could get to writing my own pattern...an adaptation.

Ang

[Knit Lunabud Knit]

I love the riding the wave pattern! And the colors are just to dye for:)