A Tale of 2 Heels

Warning!  Lots of spoiler photos of the Rombikiri Socks by YarnYenta.


I am participating in the Solid Socks Mystery Sock KAL/Green Sock challenge for the month of June.  The pattern is called Rombikiri, and is by the YarnYenta, Heatherly Walker.  The pattern so far is this wonderful diamond design.

The 3rd clue was for the heels.  Nothing new there, just an Eye of Partridge Heel with a Garter Stitch Border. (Notice how casually I write that?  LOL!  I've done 3 socks now with borders, and this is my 2nd Eye of Partridge Heel.  I'm such an expert!)

But it got me really thinking about design. Like many new knitters, I want to learn how to design my own pieces.  I am now pretty comfortable with altering socks for size.  I have taken things designed to be knitted flat, and changed them to the round (like the Belinda Jane Doll by Flutterby Patch).  But, I have not started a design from scratch.

There is a woman who comes occasionally to the Eastside Stitchers Wednesday night Stitch n Bitch who was making  pair of socks of her own design.  And, as she described it, it's not that hard.  I mean, you just pick a lace or texture pattern that has a reasonable number of repeats, and use it. Of course, that is basically true, but when you look at really successful patterns, there is more to it.  There is something about balance, and poetry in a really successful design.

Why do designers choose one heel over another?

Here are some of the heels I have knit over this year:

My first Eye of Partridge heels.

Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder Oct SKA 2011

For the November, Man Sock, SKA challenge, I made 2 pair of socks, both with traditional sl 1 k1 heel flaps.

Movember Mystery Sock by Deb Barnhill Nov SKA 2011

Mr. Pitt's Socks by Kaitlyn Wong Nov SKA 2011

The choices for top down socks seem to be, continuing some kind of pattern over the flap, plain stockinette (not very sturdy), the standard s1 k1 ribbed flap, and Eye of Partridge.  Now, I am sure there are more possibilities, but these are the ones I have learned.

So, how does a designer decide which to use in her sock design?  I am so fashion senseless.  It seems to me in the socks that I posted above that the heel choices were really on the mark.  The heels for the men's socks need to wear well, but not be too fussy.

The Snuggly Socks, designed by Liz Marino, that I made in her Gift Knits Club this year, follow the same principle.

Snuggly Socks by Liz Marino for 2012 Gift Knits Club

These socks used a textured rib, and are a unisex design, so the heel shouldn't be too fussy.

The Hermione's Every Day Socks, are pretty simple, but still feminine.  The Eye of Partridge Heel is a nice choice.

I love that heel, and think it is a pretty choice for the current socks I am knitting.  Also, it's fun to practice the pattern again.

So, what will my first sock design be?  And how will I construct the heels?  I have no idea.  But I am excited to think about it.

Where in the World is f1bercat?

 I knitted on the exercise bike this weekend as well as today, so I am going to add the 2 distances together, and make it look like I went really far!  And although I don't feel too poorly, I have the beginning of a cold, with the achy muscles, etc., so I'm really proud of myself for making it to the Y today. 6.86 miles on Saturday, + 7.34 miles today put me at 255.19 miles total on my trip.


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I am almost half way down the state of Oregon.

I'm starting to believe there is an end.  Maybe next year?

Stay safe and well.
Yours,
f1bercat
shaping the planet with a lot of socks

Sock Progress

This is the spoiler picture for the Solid Socks Group in Ravelry.  We use this picture on our project page so that people won't accidentally see progress photos of the mystery socks and spoil the surprise.  Warning, I am going to post my progress photos, so if you don't want to see the cuffs (clue 1) and one repeat of the leg (clue 2), then please don't scroll down.

Where in the World is f1bercat?

I had a dentist appointment today, just a routine cleaning, but it messed up my usual schedule.  I still went to the Y and both rode the bike while knitting and walked while riding.  Who says  I can't multi-task?

So I knitted for 5.8 miles.  I felt pretty good, and was able to keep up a good pace.  I need to take a photo of the spa washcloth I am knitting while riding.  I am making good progress.  After riding, I got on the tread mill and walked for .55 miles.  I am trying to work up to 1 mile walked each day.  I was able to speed up the treadmill a little bit.  I read a bit over 1 chapter of The Game of Thrones.  I have already noticed that my back and legs are feeling better and stronger each day.  I am not sure about how much my cardio has improved, as I am super out of shape. But I am starting to see and feel some real progress.

Where does my 6.35 miles for today put me?


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a bit north of Oregon City.

WIP's

I have finished the first clue for the Solid Socks Group's June/July Mystery Sock, Rombikiri, by YarnYenta.

It has a tulip cuff, very cool.  I am using the Huckleberry Knits yarn that I bought during the Puget Sound LYS Crawl at Apple Yarns.

The color is Granny Smith.  The color challenge for June is green, and it just doesn't get much greener.

I also started my socks for Sock Knitters Anonymous Group's June Challenge, one of which is to knit socks designed by Anne Campbell  (KnitterlyAnne).  They are the Circle Socks.  I have just started, so you really can't see much yet.  The yarn is by Huckleberry Knits, also, in a different apple color, Honey Crisp.

I really hope these will fit because I think they will be beautiful.

Goodnight everyone.

Stay safe and well.
Yours,
f1bercat
shaping the planet 2 pairs of apple socks at a time.

Someone Stop Me

Wasp Nest on Our Garage Door

Hello!

Yes, that is a wasp nest (or perhaps hornets' nest) I found on our garage door.  EEEEEK!

I want to say thank you again to my daughter, Moogie, for taking time out from her busy schedule to guest blog for me.  In the fall, I plan to spend a few days in Portland with her, and we can go to some of the places she wrote about.

WIP's

Warning, there are photos of the SolidSocks Mystery Sock Clue 1 in this post.  If you don't want to see it, please don't scroll down.

I have been very busy with my knitting.  I cast off quite a few things last week, and of course immediately cast on some new projects.  What is wrong with me?  or am I just like every other obsessed knitter?

This month for Sock Knitters Anonymous, the challenge is to knit a pattern that is Underappreciated.  The rules are:

"patterns that have up to and including 15 or less projects listed on the pattern’s project page including all active, hibernating, frogged and/or ugh! projects. In the case of one pattern being translated into alternate language versions, the combined total for all the versions must be under 15. Every pattern page has a link in the lower right to all that designer’s patterns. For this challenge, please make a point of checking out the designer’s other patterns to make sure there are no additional versions!"

There are also 2 designers you can choose from, if you don't want to do an underappreciated pattern (or can't find one).

One of the designers is Anne Campbell, who designed Circle Socks, a pattern I have long admired and wanted to knit when I had time.  This pattern really needs a variegated yarn, so if I chose it, it wouldn't count for Solid Socks (whose challenge color is green).  OOOOO and I love doing two-fer projects and getting credit from both groups.

Solid Socks, in addition to the color challenge, has a mystery sock challenge every two months.  This month the designer of the Mystery Sock is YarnYenta (Heatherly Walker).

So what to do?  How can I decide?  I am trying to finish the Belinda Jane Doll from Flutterby Patch for my niece, M's 4th birthday this month.

I'm working on the Echo Flower Shawl for my mom.  I am on the 11th of 13 repeats of the main section.

 I'm making the 5th of 21 Spa Washcloths, idea from the Liz Marino Gift Knits Club.

I'm working on a pair of Better than French Vanilla Socks for my son, J.

I'm knitting a chemo hat for  Sharing Our Gifts.

and am making 2 afghans with 2012 BAMCAL.

So, what do I do?

I decide to make BOTH SOCKS!
Really, someone should stop me.

I have cast on and am about 1/2 way through the first clue of the Solid Socks Mystery sock.  It is called Rombikiri.  I am using the gorgeous Granny Smith colored yarn (remember, the challenge is GREEN) by Huckleberry Knits that I bought during the Puget Sound LYS Crawl at Apple Yarns, in Bellingham, WA.  I loved that shop, and loved their sock yarns.

  I bought a 2nd skein of apple themed yarn there, also from Huckleberry Knits, called Honeycrisp.  Have to say, that is one of my favorite apples, and the yarn's colors really give the feel of the fruit.

I have not cast these on yet, but I have separated the skein into 2 balls (so I can knit 2aat), and am hoping to start them soon.  I just need to get that doll finished!

I have made huge progress on the doll, and can't wait to have her all done.  I am also sewing some quick ballet costumes for my sons' studio performance this Friday.  So, I have somewhat limited time to knit.

EEK!  Why am I making two pairs of socks this month?

Because I love to knit socks.

Where in the World is f1bercat?


I knit another 5 miles today on my spa wash cloths.  I am not pedaling very fast though.  I am trying to watch my speed and not the timer or the mileage as I knit, but I have slowed down a bit from before I got the flu, and just can't seem to get the speed back.  It really doesn't matter how fast I ride, because I am trying to work up to 30 minutes of riding.  The miles don't really count.  Right?  Why must I compete with myself?

I also walked .5 miles while reading The Game of Thrones.  I got a tiny bit antsy because I would rather be Knitting!  ( I love to read, but just can't seem to focus lately), but reading really helps me last.  I am trying to work up to 1 mile a day walking.  I will need to get faster or I will be on the treadmill forever!  I'm so out of shape, that I am very very slow right now.  At least I feel good and not super sore after my "workouts."


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Look, I made it to Milwaulkie.

Stay safe and well.

Yours,
f1bercat
shaping the planet one, two, three pairs of socks at a time

blurry photo of a deer in our backyard