The Turtle and the Hare

The hare
First, the hare. Because the hare is faster, and comes across the finish line first... at least in this case. The Garter Knee Socks are done, after only ONE WEEK! (Ravel it!)

I agree with LauraRose, who said that these were the most oddly knit socks she had ever seen! They are knit flat in garter stitch, using short rows to make a narrower toe and a wider calf. You begin by casting on a lot of stitches, then shape the heel by decreasing; the instep is knit flat, and then on a series of increases shapes the other side of the heel. Finally you seam the sock up the back, cinch the toe tight, and voila! Socks!

The grafted seam is invisible and can't be felt, since it blends right in with the garter stitch ridges. They might be a good sock project for a beginning knitter, although there are as many techniques in this sock as there are in a traditional sock; short rows and grafting a long seam; and there is potential for big error, since you can't quite try the sock on as you go! I followed the measurements given in the pattern, and often wrapped the sock around my foot and leg to make sure I was on the right track.

The Socks That Rock Silkie did not have enough yardage for knee socks - I realized this on my first sock, luckily, and strategically alternated colors on each row. This gives a flash of color between the rows, which can be seen well in this photo:


The turtle
Ah yes, there is a turtle. This turtle has been preventing me from casting on new socks in all the luscious yarn that is weeping and lonely in my stash. I know that if I were to submit to their woeful requests for attention, I would end up with many half-finished pairs of socks that clutter my knitting schedule! These socks were started nearly six months ago and have been turtling along at a slow pace.

As usual, Morgan the Irish cat is "helping" me with the photo shoot. And, clearly, admiring my masterful handiwork.

In this shot, Morgan is pointing out the unique technique used for the gusset. The increases are made along the edge of the sole stitches, and the fabric grows at an oblique angle (new stitches are parallel to the instep); normally, increases are made along the edge of the instep stitches, and the fabric grows at a horizontal angle (new stitches are parallel to the sole). I am finding this hard to explain and it may be even harder to SEE, since I used seed stitch in the gusset.

The rest of the sock is 6x1 rib which seems to be one of the most boring patterns I could have selected. I was aiming for "peaceful, calming, mindless," but instead I got "numbingly dull." No wonder they've languished for so long. Next pair will be something complex... and I've got some gorge-o solid sock yarns that will be perfect to show off a fancy stitch pattern.

On a personal note... I am taking a deep breath of relief today. I am 90% recovered from my back injury and I've survived a very long week... I got caught in one of those academic conspiracies, in which I had FIVE exams and TWO papers due, one after another after another. But now it's all over, and easy going until finals week!