Spring Shot

A long time in the works mainly because of the idea that I needed to think about the knitting of them here finally are the Spring Shoots.
Yarn: Brooklyn Handspun - Soft Strength in club colourway - Persephone
Needles: 2.5mm DPNs
Started: April 2nd 2010
Finished: September 19th 2010
I wasn't sure I would ever be bothered to knit another sock in this way, it is based on Cat Bordhi's Houdini structure and I am quite wedded to the cuff down, heel flap construction. I suspect in the main I love my top downers because it is what I learnt first, though there is something very special in the rhythm of the knit. Normally a simple cuff to get you into the feel of the needles and the yarn, then a stretch of leg with pattern if you fancy, then the magic of the heel for a little razzmatazz and then gusset decreases ahoy you can feel yourself running down hill to the toe. This pattern taught me lots and it is fun to cut your knitting, but when I was sewing up the first one all the ends seemed so much work compared to my regular bit of kitchenering on a wedge toe.
However, there was quite a revelation when I slipped it on. The fit, especially of the heel, is really rather wonderful. The round decreases mimic the roundness of the heel very well. I'll certainly think of dropping in what is basically a star heel perhaps as an afterthought heel for the ole top downers, and you know, I'm thinking of digging myself even further out of my top down heel flap way of thinking and trying some more of these afterthought legs. One day then, they won't take so much thought and I might just have a couple of sock structures bedded in to my brain, variety after all is the spice of socks.

One thing that I did as written in the pattern that I wouldn't bother with again is the knit on moss stitch cuff. It's very pretty and gives a nice soft stretchy top but a regular cuff with a sewn bind off has worked quite nicely on other toe ups I've known and loved and as anyone who has ever knit the beret Verity with that band knows it's a long road to knit on.
So it's nice to start Socktoberfest (you remember how much I love Lolly's sock celebration) showing off a pair of finished socks, my goal for this month is to catch up a little with Sock Club activity which means finishing the Caretta's and starting in on 2LuvCrew. As that means knitting first with Socks that Rock and secondly with Lorna's Laces my fingers as well as my feet will be spoilt this Socktober.

Comments

behind the ivy said…
Lovely socks!

I'm with you on the top down heel flap. It's what I learnt first too, and therefore probably why I feel more comfortable with that construction. I do feel like I need to expand my repertoire though!
Caffeine Girl said…
I too am a cuff-down girl, although I haven't yet tried a toe-up. There is a limit to how much fuss I want to put into a sock. Still, I love Wendy Johnson's designs so I want to learn toe-up at some point.
Charity said…
I'm with you on the top down socks, although this heel is intriguing. Nicely done!
Cuff-down here, too. I do love the perfection of a toe made with Judy's Magic Cast On, but I'd rather make foot length adjustments on a cuff-down sock than after I've made the heel on a toe-up one!

I've put afterthought heels in cuff down socks; I just do them before I finish the toe so I'm sure of how long the foot is.
Anonymous said…
wow, those are some fancy shmancy socks. i like the immediate gratification of sock knitting, without all the finishing, so i dont think i would have the patience for all that fanciness, but they do look spectacular.
Rose Red said…
I like the traditional sock construction too, but it is nice to try something new every so often. The heel looks very cool!

mmmm STR and LL - two excellent sock yarns indeed!
Rachel said…
I also have that comfort of top down, heel flap although that is all I've ever knit so perhaps I'm just comfortable in my ignorance! But this heel intrigues me considering how much you rave about the fit! Maybe it's time for me to expand as well! Pretty sock!
T. said…
THe colour is gorgeous. Top down for this girl.
raining sheep said…
Gorgeous! and I am impressed. I can't even beging to understand the instructions in her book. Love those colors and I agree about the heel. I can see how it would fit perfectly seeing the construction close up.
I have to say, I'm a top down girl all the way. I sock on two circs. These came out gorgeous. They would look great in Bo Peep's Not Just for Socks Yarn in Pansy which I just happen to have in my hot little hands. I think you've given me an idea. Bo Peep's is here if anyone is interested: http://tinyurl.com/39wgnn7
t does wool said…
those socks are beautiful,Sarah~I just love them!
Kyoko said…
Hello Sarah,
Lovely heel! (I know it sounds a little geeky - but it's true! you have knitted so well :D )
Isn't it interesting to have the garter edge and it looks like there are two darts at the heel?
Interesting!
I do like the short-row heel turn but they are not as strong as he re-inforced heel (I think this method can only be knitted top-down whereas the short-row heel turn can be used for both top down or bottom up).
x
Kyoko

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