to change yarns for the heel flap. This ruby red yarn kept insisting it was a good match for the cherry red stripe, and that I needed to add it to the sock. This image magnifies the difference in color—in natural light (its overcast and I used a flash to take the photo) the color difference is not so great--and this red is not quite colorfast. It will fade a bit with each washing (as I know from experience).
So heel flap and turning--(and two new
ends, per sock, to weave in)—are done in a third contrasting color.
I think I am going to have to repeat the colors again just before I
start the toe shaping—else I will work the toe in a 3 colored linen
stitch... (nah, I remember doing a toe that way, and I didn't like
how the decreases looked) So stripes –2 round of each color as the
last few rounds of the sock-- it is.
(And that will add another half dozen
ends to weave in! Aaugh! Why can't I just learn not to listen to
yarn?!)
Still, it is nice progress, another 2
inches done (measuring on the instep side)--from a green stripe, to a
cherry red one, and now just past a yellow one; The flap and turning,
even the gussets started. The contrasting yarn solves a problem,
too. I really dislike how the striping pattern of self striping
yarns break at the heel flap and turning. There will still be a bit
of disruption caused by the extra stitches per round as I decrease to
form the gussets, but it won't be near so bad—and on the instep
side, the color order (green, cherry red, yellow) will remain
constant, and even the spacing won't be too distorted.
There are other solutions—different
heels, for one—but since I have knit so many socks, I think I could
knit a flap and turning in my sleep—for easy socks, (and these are
supposed to be easy socks!) a flap/turned/gusseted heel is the
easiest—Well, it is for me.
This flap has a small change... Instead
of the standard, Slip 1 on each edge, I worked a 2 stitch garter
band, with heel stitch for the bulk of the flap. When it came time
to pick up stitches for the gussets, I picked up one stitch per
ditch. Worked perfectly—this might become my new standard process
for heel flaps. I found it easier and neater, and it works
perfectly. Garter is snugger (row wise) and works perfectly with the
heel stitch.--It looks nice too. (see-->)
Not only did I get all this done—but
I cast on for a third pair of secret socks... Toe up this time, since
I am trying to alternate toe up and cuff down. These will be simple
socks too, but a bit slower to knit, since I will be documenting all
the little details along the way. I plan to try out Cat Borhdi's new
sweet tomato heel on these socks. I want to see for myself how it
works and how it fits.
(Some bad news—I found a copy of
The Red Queen, Philippa Gregory so I will be a bit distracted by some
reading!)
