Floret Socks (left) and Blackrose Wanna Be Socks (right) both by Margaret Edelson.
Floret Socks is the first pair of lace socks I test knitted for Margaret. I used 2.25mm needles and the result is a little bit loose for me (another reason is lace is knitted all around). I didn't use 2mm needles as the pattern for I already snapped one of the set of six Knit Picks Harmony Wood sock needles. I decided to buy KP's nickel plated fixed circular and for the time being, I knitted with 2.25mm needles and tug a little more on every stitch. But, by doing so, I bent one of the 2.25mm needles. Very nerve wrecking now knitting with these needles.
Bind-off edge and 1x1 ribbing.
Actually, I was a little reluctant to knit another toe-up sock. I've been knitting several pairs of toe-ups and worn them frequently during winter and no matter which kind of bind-off I used, they weren't as stretchy as I would've liked them to be. I knitted toe-up because I couldn't graft and couldn't get myself to learn it right. But things took quite a turn last year: I know how to graft! I had two shawls/stoles that were knitted in two halves and required grafting. So, I HAD to learn how to graft for I really didn't want to leave UFOs lying around just because I couldn't master a technique. Since I grafted a mohair/silk shawl, grafting a toe for a sock should be no problem at all.
So, while knitting Floret, I was looking for a REALLY stretchy bind-off for toe-up socks. And I found Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind-off. Very strange and very stupid of me, that I knew Judy's magic cast-on but not know its twin?! I gave it a try right away and I LIKED IT! Whew! Looks like I don't have to give up on toe-ups now!
Gusset increases (left) and toe increases (right).
I test knitted Blackrose Wanna Be Socks for Margaret. It was inspired by Blackrose, a cuff-down sock which my dear friend still feels intimidated to knit, so she reversed the direction and turned it into a toe-up sock. Only 1/4 of the sock is knitted in lace and you can wear it with the lace on the inside or outside!
Since I was test knitting, I intended to have two identical socks. But look what happened: the color didn't match up from the ankle! Then I remembered when knitting the second sock, there was a knot. I didn't even think about it, I untied the knot and felt join, and knitted on. Not until I finished the second sock and put both socks on to take pictures did I realize that the color sequence was off! The first 100g skein I used to knit Floret Socks didn't have knot(s), but a friend of mine who had an exactly same color skein did have knot(s) and her socks' color sequence didn't match up either. I happen to like On Your Toes 4 ply, so it's a pity the quality seems not quite consistent. Well, if anyone's knitting with this, please keep in mind to watch out for the knot(s) and rearrange for the color sequence to match.
I used 2.25mm needles for these, and the result is a bit tight, for only 1/4 of the round is in lace. I haven't washed them yet, but if one prefers a less snug sock, I personally suggest a larger needle, unless one's a loose knitter.
2x2 ribbing and the elastic bind-off.
The gusset increases.
The lace pattern.
Sock knitting can be soothing for me, when I don't know what to knit but really need something on my hands. Well, of course, I need to have sock yarn and a nice pattern to go with at hand. We don't have sock yarns here in Taiwan, so I have to order them elsewhere. As to the pattern, I have quite a few and many times just can't decide which to knit! So, if a friend asks me to test knit a sock pattern, it would be perfect me!
Another thing that have been bugging me for a while is that most of the toe-ups I knitted were worn and broke at the heels. Is there anyway of reinforcing the bottom of the heel? The back of the heel is already strong enough with the slip stitch pattern. Or is it really I should go back to the regime of sloughing the heels weekly as I used to when I didn't haven't kids? When I didn't have kids--that is the point! I'll try though to do keep a smoother heel this year!
