Tricotine

FREE PATTERN: High Insteap Ribbed Socks

Remember my Jaywalker unfortunate adventure a little while ago? 

Well, here is the sock I came up with, starting from the Jaywalker 2/2 ribbing cuff. Introducing my 28th pair of socks, the High Instep Ribbed Socks. Really stretchy for a perfect fit, they are made cuff down and on two circular needles.

The yarn has "spoken" in a quite odd way though.  Although both heels look identical, ribbed cuffs are different.  One colorfully swirls while the other one does not... Go figure...?!

[Click on photos to enlarge]

Yarn: Handpaints by Artsygal: Superwash Merino Sock (2 ply Fingering Weight), "Summer Vacation" colorway - 1 hank (410 yards).
Needles: 2 circulars #2US
Gauge: 18 stitches x 23 rows = 2 inches (5 centimeters)

Stitches:
Ribbing 2/2 = Row 1: K2, P2,...  Row 2: P2, K2,... Repeat these 2 rows.
Slide 1: Slide 1 stitch as if to Purl
ssk: Slide Slide Knit - Slide 2 stitches individually as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loop.

 

PATTERN:

Cast on 76 stitches - 38 on each needle - and work in rib 2/2 for 4 inches or the desired lengh for the cuff.

Heel flap is worked on 38 stitches.  Work back and forth as following:
Row 1 (RS): P2, repeat [K1, slide 1] to the last 2 stitches, P2
Row 2 (WS): K2, repeat [P1, slide 1] tot he last 2 stitches, K2
Repeat these two rows 21 times (42 ridges on the WS = 3 inches for me) or how many time needed to get the distance from the the middle of the ankle bone to the floor.

Turn heel:
Row 1: slide 1, K20, ssk, K1, turn.
Row 2: slide 1, P5, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 3: slide 1, knit within 1 stitch of the gap, ssk, K1, turn
Row 4: slide 1, purl to within 1 stitch of the gap, P2tog, P1, turn
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all heel stitches are worked. There are 22 stitches left.

Heel gussets:
Slide 1 stitch, K10 with the other needle.  Then, with the first needle, pick up 29 stitches along the heel flap, Place marker, work 18 stitches in rib 2/2, on the second needle work 20 stitches on rib 2/2, place marker, pick up 29 stitches on the other side of the heel flap, K11.

The beginning of the round is now in the middle of the heel.

First Round - Decrease row: K to 2 stitches before the marker, K2tog, slide marker, work stitches as they show (ribbing 2.2), on second needle work stitches as they show again, slide marker, ssk, K to the end of the row.

Next round - No decrease: Knit to marker, slide marker, work stitches as they show. On the other needle, work stitches as they show, slide marker, K to the end of the row.

Repeat these to rows until 38 stitches on each needle again.
Remove markers on the last row.

Foot:
Without changing needle, K the 19 stockinette stitches of the sole. Only 19 stitches (ribbing 2/2) remains on needle #1 and 57 stitches on needle #2. This will be the new beginning of each round - place an open marker. With needle #1 knit the 19 other ribbed stitches that are on needle #2. Needle #1 is now working the top of the foot (ribbing 2/2) and needle #2 is working the sole of the sock.

Work in pattern until 2 inches less than the desired lengh for the sock to be (I worked 31 rounds - counted from the marker - for a size 8 1/2)

Toe shape:
Row 1 - Decrease row: K1, ssk, Knit to the 3 last stitches of the row, K2tog, K1. On the other needle, ssk, Knit to the last 3 stitches of the row, K2 tog, K1.
Row 2 - No decrease:  Knit all around.
Repeat these 2 rows until 16 stitches on each needle remain. The decrease EVERY ROUND, until 12 stitches on each needle remain. 

Finishing: Kitchener stitch the stitches on each needle. Weavein all ends.

Make sister sock the same way.

* Pattern also available on Ravelry *

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High Instep Rib Socks © Tricotine 2007 – All rights reserved - Reproducing or transmitting this pattern by any means for any purpose other than for personal use constitutes a violation of copyright law.
If you have any question or comment about this pattern, please contact me. 

*~ More Designs here ~*

Isabelle Socklets

Aren't those beautiful?  I just love the texture and the color!

No, I didn't make them -- I wish!  My dear friend, Betty, designed and made them especially for me.  Isn't she talented? 

The yarn she used is Lorna's Lace Shepherd Sport, and the pattern is available at Betriska, and on Ravelry too!

Thank you so much, Betty! What a wonderful surprise!

I love the socklets and I Luv'ya too!

Jaywalker no more...

I am not sure what to say. Despite the popularity of Jaywalker - hundreds of Sock Knitters were thrilled with their socks - it didn't work for me.

[Click on photos to enlarge]

I neither liked the irregular way the yarn was "talking" - the colorful swirling effect disappeared when I worked the gusset, nor the saggy cuff around my ankle, nor the way 2/2 ribbing and Chevron pattern met on the cuff, nor the unstretchiness of the sock overall. Despite several trials and differents modifications (different size needles, increased number of stitches and deeper heel) the sock was still difficult to put on my foot; yet, the cuff was saggy.

I don't understand what went wrong. My gauge seemed to be right though. Well, I think, because that Chevron pattern confused my stitch count a little. Of course, on my first cast-on, I thought the gauge was right too... I must be really bad at gauging...

 

Anyway.  After 4 unsucessful attempts - at least I can't say I didn't try - my hurt pride said that enough was enough, and I have finally gave up and said "so long" to Jaywalker.  I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that the pattern is not right for me...  Most of the time, only stretchy socks fits my probably odd feet comfortably. Or maybe the yarn was too thin...

I have ripped off to the one inch ribbing and went on from there, making an all 2/2 ribbed sock with high insteap (from the top of my ankle bone).

And here it is - unstretched and stretched - Sock #1 aka Deep Heel Ribbed Sock, my 28th pair of socks. I am turning the heel of sock #2 right now, and I am taking notes...

[Click on photos to enlarge]

 

Being Socktoberfest spirited, I will be posting the pattern here as soon as the pair is completed. Keep tune!

 

Monkey Socks Completed

My 27th pair of socks, made for my Monkey Sock Swap partner, is finished.

I washed them and, they are blocking right now.
It is interesting to note that the yarn does not bleed when it is washed but actually turns darker when it is wet.

 
Pattern: Monkey Socks
Yarn: Trekking ProNatura 1513 Honey
Needles: 2 circulars #3US

Monkey Sock - Finally a significant progress!

I am making that pair of socks for my Monkey Sock Swap partner.  It is the first time I get to work with measurements only, and it is kind of challenging.  Fortunately, my swapee's size foot is not too different than mine, and I hope I am doing fine...  I also hope she will like the yarn.

So far, I ripped off twice. In order to be more accurate on the size of the sock, I tried to get a smaller gauge than instructed in the pattern and to increased the number of cast-on stitches up to 80 stitches (one set of design), but it did not work well. Working the lacy pattern was increasing the top of the sock's number of stitches every other round (as shown on the B&W photo here below) and decreasing accordingly would have changed the design...

** NB: This would probably have worked if I had added two sets of design, and used something like size 0US needles.  Maybe... I might try this later just to make sure.

 
[Click on photos to enlarge]

Anyway.  I have decided to stop "monkeying" and to keep it simple - following the steps of those who know best (Cookie A. the Designer of the sock), because time is flying and I need to sent the socks in the mail soon; so I have just switched to one size up needles (as I usually do) and followed the instructions to the letter; and my sock knits up nicely now. 

Jaywalker and the self-spirited yarn

I have been dealing with a self-spirited yarn lately; lovely but undisciplined and inconsistent when it comes to display its summery colors. 

Maybe it just does not like the Jaywalker...

The first time I cast on, I was thrilled by the swirling effect of the yarn.  It was the prefect emphasize to that sock's Chevron pattern.

Unfortunately, I had to ripp off because the cuff was too tight, and I re-cast on a superior number of stitches -- one additional set of Chevrons.  As a result, the sock now fits my ankle but the lovely swirling effect is gone, and I don't like that ecclectic display of colors so much...

I guess I am going to have to ripp off a second time, but I wonder if I am going to give a third try to that Jaywalker...  The texture is too stiffy, and I like my socks to be ribby and stretchy.

I guess, we'll see...

 

Gentleman Socks Finished

That was my 26th pair of socks, and I made them for Mister Tricotine.  I am pleased to say that the different dye lot I used to finish sock #2 does not show obviously.  I can barely see it myself!

[Click on photos to enlarge]
 
Pattern: Gentleman Socks
Yarn: Treeking Pro Natura 1601
Needles: 2 circulars #2US

 

Some Yarn and a Good Book

My sock yarn from Astrid has arrived today from the Netherlands!

As expected, it is not the same dye lot, but I am going to be able to finish the Gentleman Socks for Mister Tricotine, and also to cast on my Monkey -- I have decided to go for a solid color to show the beautiful stitch of that sock, after seeing a stunning "Champagne Monkey" pair of socks on Ravelry.

Now, isn't that "Honey" color yummy?

But there is more! My sweet Mister Tricotine surprised me with this fanstastic book that I had wanted for a while.

OK, am I dreaming again, or what?

Jaywalker Incident...

The gauge lied to me. I swear, when I measured it was right, but when I tried my sock on, the cuff wouldn't pass my (unusually strong?) insteap.  I had followed instructions for the biggest size though... Bummer!

So, I did what any reasonable Knitter would do in such situation, I ripped off...

... and I re-cast on, adding one set of pattern (of 7) to the number instructed in the pattern for the smallest size, in order to get a sock that I could wear and not only admire on the sock blocker.

I had to keep using the needle Size #1US, because I really like the tiny stitching my Gentleman sock project is on hold and keeping my needles #2US busy. I think it is time for needles shopping...

So, I am working on a 94 stitches cuff right now...

Wish me luck, I am going to need it!

New Cast On: Socks #27 - Jaywalker Socks

I have finally cast-on the notorious Jaywalker that had been on my to-do list for a long time, and I think I have found the perfect yarn for my socks,  Handpaints by Artsygal: Superwash Merino Sock, "Summer Vacation" colorway.

I am using two-circular needles. It seems like it became my favorite way to knit socks since I immediatly reach for them when I plan to cast a new pair of socks.  I remember hating it being really uncomforable with it the first time I tried that method though...   But I shortly realized that it was the solution to the laddering problem I had when I was knitting on double pointed needles...

For the first time ever, and since my gauge was right, I am using needles #1US!  It is trully an event to me because usually, due to the fact that I tend to knit tight, I need to go one size needle up to match given gauges in patterns. The yarn is probably a little thicker than regular fingering weight.

And talking about yarn, I am really pleased with the way I center pull winded this ball! My previous one was a mess; the center strand was stuck and broke when I pulled hard trying to get it out anyway...  As much as I enjoy winding yarn into balls by hand, I am seriously considering getting a winder.