Clowns and Mermaids
Mermaid Sock In Progress
Please try not to pay too much attention to my blindingly white skin or my lack of a recent pedicure. The only good way to show off the short-row heel was to put the sock on.
Lately, I;ve been taking a little knitting project to work. If the weather is nice, I take my yogurt and my iPod and go sit outside in the sunshine for lunch and nibble and knit. Today my Mermaid sock (from Lucy Neatby's recent book) went to work with me and I set up the short row shaping. Between lunch, KIP and a bit of Doom 3 observation, I managed to finish the heel. On double points, no less.
I've tried short-row heels before on 2 circular needles and haven't been impressed with the results. The double points did work better for this purpose, and might actually convince me to try them for a whole sock project. Lucy Neatby is right, 4 double points in the round is definitely better than three. Or, it could just be that a garter stitch heel is easier for me to tension correctly than a stockinette heel.
Were I to start from scratch, I would probably do the next size larger, but I suspect some loosening will occur when this superwash yarn hits the washer.
Now I am on the home stretch for the project. Or at least for the first sock. And I can't say enough nice things about this book, Cool Socks, Warm Feet. Some people have complained that she is overly-detailed and too focused on DP needles, but I think the detail level is great and her construction tips are very useful -- and it's not really all that hard to convert instructions to use 1 or 2 circs. You do have to read ahead and do a little bit more thinking than normal to get the most out of this book, but it is an excellent sock knitting reference.
Cute foot!
I always use 4 needles instead of 3 when working with dpns. I find it leaves no gaps and the stitches are easier to work.
I'm about that far on a Mermaid sock, too. I really like that heel, and the clever way the short row wraps link together. I've been using that method on other socks in progress, too.
It looks lovely...I definately want to do socks soon. You make the heel look easy!
I still think the short-row heel is magic. But, I am easily entertained....
Love your top from yesterdays post.
Lucy Neatby was here in Salt Lake just as the book was published and gave a couple of workshops. She is so talented! She is a perfectionist and wants to make sure you understand completely how to do something. We learned SO much from her. I love the modified convetional cast off in the book and think it is a very good book on socks. Yours look marvelous!
I think the book is fab too ! Love the mermaid sock - that's next to do on my sock list.
I owe you an e-mail. :0)
I ordered this book from Threadbear a month or so ago, and Rob emailed me this week to let me know that it's back in stock and he's sending it - I like to hear other people say it's a good book :)