Month: April 2004

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Knitting Geek Code?

Knitting helps me unwind from deciphering and writting Java programs during the day, so you won’t find any knitting geek code here. I shutter at the thought of knitting emulating computer programming.

I’ve been meaning to make a short list of my knitting quirks so instead of code here’s my knitting history in a “nutshell”.

  • modified picker (wrap yarn around the needle with my index and thumb)

  • 2 years experience (+ six months many years ago)

  • not a fast knitter, will immediately rip any mistake but manage to get all projects completed

  • strongly prefer Addi Turbo nickle plated needles

  • favorite yarn is Koigu merino

  • swear to only use natural fiber yarns unless making socks, then a little nylon is ok

  • try not to stash yarn but …

  • knitting book stash is bigger then my yarn stash

  • like challenging technical projects

  • have done intarsia in the round, lace, fair isle (but all have been small projects)

  • haven’t knitted any blankets, shawls, scarves, hats, washclothes or aprons

  • will never knit an apron, cell phone cover or knitting bag

  • avoid anything with more then a few rows of garter stitch

  • first project was a sweater and second was a pair of socks

  • knit first pair of socks twice, first time with traditional heel then second time with short row heels

  • will knit garments flat or circular without prejudice

  • swatching is a must

  • knit in public on the bus, in a car, on a boat, before a movie

  • never more then two works in progress

  • usually stick to fingering, sport, DK weight yarn

  • mostly self taught via books

  • started spinning yarn with a hand spindle and have a wheel on order

  • haven’t quilted since taking up knitting

  • not thrilled to hear crochet is the next big thing
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Instep on One Circular

Yesterday I showed the sock that’s being worked on two circulars. Today I’ll show the other one that’s being worked on one circular. Here’s how it looked after I picked up all the heel flap stitches.

mloop_instep

It’s really not difficult to get the stitches rearranged. After all the heel stitches were worked I pulled the cable between half of the heel stitches, creating a loop to the right side. Next, I created a loop on the left side between the two halves of the instep stitches. At this point I was set to proceed with picking up stitches along the heel flap and working half of the instep stitches.

With half of the stitches on one side of the cable I was now ready to start the second half of the sock by flipping it so that the loop was on the left side. I positioned the needles to work the rest of the instep stitches, pick up stitches from the other side of the heel flap and knit the remaining heel stitches.

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Dutch Heel

Despite my fondness for socks with short row heels, I’ve decided to stick to the pattern which, calls for a traditional heel flap and Dutch heel for these Estonian socks. The rugged heel stitch used on the flap is continued while turning the heel, making it quite a durable heel. The end result is a very square heel.

whisper Rib instep After the heel was turned, I picked up stitches along the heel flaps and readjusted so that each round now starts at the back of the heel. Since the lace pattern is symmetrical I could easily place each half on one circular.