Today's post will be another short one. My back is still giving me trouble and I can only sit at the computer for a few minutes at a time. I am spending that time to post. I don't want to think about the 655 unread posts on my bloglines. Lalalalalalala, I can't hear you bloglines.
Denial. It can be handy sometimes.
I mentioned the other day that I am knitting along with Nona's sock-along. It is a sideways (lengthwise) knit sock called Sidewinders, A PerpenSOCKular Pattern. She is doling it out in four parts plus the Grande Finale (I believe that is a nice name for a bucket-load of grafting).
Here is my sock. I have it folded to illustrate the halfway point. Click any picture for bigitudeness (making up believably unbelievable words is a hobby of mine, as are parenthetical statements). Pardon the busy background, we are in serious make-do mode here.
And, how it looks currently (toe on the left, heel at the bottom). There is one more quarter of a sock's worth of knitting. Fun stuff!
The pattern is well-written and easy to follow. No complaints there. She has even written it for 12 sizes! The only thing I will change in the future is the toe increases. The pattern calls for make 1 increases and knitting the stitches between them looser than normal to allow increases every row. I am too tight of a knitter to do this well and it shows.
Left side is increases and it puckers. Right side is smooth. Next time I will use my standard which is a yarnover on the row before which is then knit through the back of the loop on the "increase" row.
In case you are wondering, the yarn is handpainted by the folk(s?) at Handspun On The Web. Did I mention that there is no url on the label? (Yes, I know I did, it just makes me chuckle every time I think of it.) To be fair the yarn is lovely and the colors are delightful. I would never think to put yellow, rust, and purple in the same yarn; yet is looks great. And, I did find them (I think) at this web address. It may not be correct. I got it at Stitches West 2006 and recall her being from the Northwest; these folks are in California. ETA: That is the correct website and they are in Washington State. Thank you for the confirmation Denise.
Progress on the Silky Wool project is promising great things. I am not trying to keep you in suspense. Really. When I have the time to show it properly I will. Right now I have got to go. My back has overstayed its welcome at the computer.
Maia I love how your sidewinders are coming along. I may have to give this pattern a go.
Posted by: Chante | June 08, 2007 at 07:01 PM
Maia, you did get the correct web address and Heike is in the PNW (that's a WA phone number listed on the website). I'm not sure why she's got the tax statement for CA residents and not WA. odd.
Oh, and hey, great socks! Hope your back is feeling better soon.
Posted by: denise | June 08, 2007 at 07:07 PM
Bigitudeness is a perfectly cromulent word. I look forward to seeing the finished socks.
Posted by: Lauren | June 08, 2007 at 07:48 PM
You are so right about the Grand Finale -- I had a nice chuckle when I read that.
As for the increases, I started with the "loop" increase -- as you described -- and personally prefer it over the Make-One. However, the loop increase does create a very small hole, especially at the beginning of the increases where there is more tension. I was afraid that the small holes would bother more people than the slight pucker. For Act IV, why don't you try your loop increases and compare the results.
Posted by: nonaKnits | June 08, 2007 at 07:50 PM
I have not idea why I ever thought a sock knit sideways would be easier than one knit toe up! That looks just as "fussy" if not more. Would appreciate your thoughts when you back is better and you have time.
Posted by: Marina | June 09, 2007 at 03:03 AM
I'm so sorry to hear your back is bothering you. I hope you feel better soon. Your socks look great! I'm still in the trying to get gauge section of the pattern LOL.
Posted by: Ronni | June 09, 2007 at 01:43 PM
Your sidewinder looks great. You can see mine in my blog. I have the same issue with the difference between increases and decreases but decided to finish the first sock as is and try different increases in the next one.
I hope your back will get better soon.
Posted by: Rachel | June 09, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Hope your back feels better soon Maia!
Posted by: Debi | June 10, 2007 at 05:18 AM
This project is sooooo going on my queue. Right after the socks I am currently knitting, the ones I promised my husband, the Christmas ones for FIL.....
Posted by: Carol | June 10, 2007 at 08:55 AM
Thanks for the pics of your sidewinder sock; I've been watching Nona's blog but hadn't quite decided to try it. You might have pushed me over the edge.
Hope your back is better soon.
Posted by: CC | June 10, 2007 at 03:36 PM