Remember when I finished these socks last January?

I enjoyed the Diagonal Fixation pattern, but could not quite "wrap" my head around the whole short-row concept. I had only knit heel flaps before this sock, and have not attempted another short-row heel, although I have admired many-a-knitter's beautiful handiwork. Why no short-row love? Simply put, it is those unsightly holes!

Luckily, I had someone to turn to.  Lisa Kartus is the author of Interweave Press's new book, Knit Fix: Problem Solving for Knitters. The book is an amazing reference on how to fix everything from dropped stitches, twisted stitches, incorrect cables, wrong colors in colorwork, and everything you can think of in between. And yes, short rows are included. However, Lisa was kind enough to attack my little problem "head on" with a personal response! She is launching a new website, Knit Maven, where readers can submit problems and common mistakes; and Lisa will post how to fix the mistakes, as well as showing some pictures of the work.

Lisa's website features some great fixes (how to fix a missed YO in a lace pattern!), and she was kind enough to help several other knitters with their mistakes during her two-week blog tour.  LollyKnitting Around is the last official stop on the blog tour.

You can read (and even listen to some podcasts!) about Lisa's career, her handy tips for fixing mistakes, and learn more about her future plans on the Knit Fix Blog Tour website.

So Lisa, how about it?  Can you help me with these short-row woes?

Those diagonal holes might be from your short-rowing and might not. 

The trick to short rows on a sock heel is to make sure you've closed the gap at the end of each row with either a K2tog or P2tog.The most common pattern for turning a heel asks you to do something like knit or purl to a couple of stitches past center, then either K2tog, K1 and turn work; or P2tog, P1 and turn work. The next row ends with either K2tog, K1 or P2tog, P1. Those decreases — K2tog or P2tog — create a little gap at the end of your rows. In all succeeding rows, slip the first stitch, knit or purl to one stitch before the gap, close the gap with a decrease (one of the K2tog stitches comes from the near side of the gap, the other from the far side of the gap), work the last stitch. Placing the decreases right on the gap closes those holes. 

Now, I suspect that your problem isn't so much the short row as picking up the stitches on your gusset. When turning the heel, make sure to slip the first stitch of each row. Then when it comes time to pick up and knit for the gusset, there are these nice neat stitches to pick up — no purl bumps. See pages 61-63 of Knit Fix, which talks about (and shows through these wonderful photographs) not only pick up and knit but closing holes in your sock gusset.

Interweave always has those cute illustrations!

So, I think I am going to give the short-row heel another chance… perhaps for Socktoberfest?  Lisa's tips are much appreciated, and I can't wait to use them on my next short-row encounter. 

I highly recommend this book!  It is not contain patterns, or the latest "trends" but it is a great reference guide for beginning and more advanced knitters.  Personally, I think it is one of the best additions to my bookshelf - I know I will refer to it often as I progress in my knitting skills.

Thank you, Lisa, and I wish you the best of luck.  You have put together a great book!

*****

 

Kris and I are off to Tennessee for Nana's services. Thank you once again for the kind condolences that continue to fill my inbox.  I have my bag packed with a lovely new stash addition. This is the Malabrigo for my International Scarf Exchange Pal… Do you think she will like it?

 

 

Have a good weekend, friends!

 

PS- Socktoberfest signups have been open for one night, and the names are already rolling in! Be a part of the festivities by signing up!

Hello!! Kris and I got back safely from Alabama around 7pm last night. Long trip, but a good one - loads of together time (singing with the radio and the mp3 player is one of our favorite past times- especially since we both got some good CDs for Christmas!) and loads of knitting time.

I have about a million things to share, so I am not sure where to start… but I know what gets everyone excited - finished knits! (First 2006 FO)

Diagonal Rib Socks
Pattern: Free online pattern Diagonal Fixation
Yarn: Cascade Fixation in colorway 5104
Needles: Takumi Clover Bamboo size 3
Notes: This pattern called for two more repeats of the diagonal rib, but I was afraid I would run out of yarn, so I cut it a little short. I have big feet (size 10) but there was plenty of yarn left, I could have done more.

I discontinued the patterning on the foot, opting for simple stockinette instead- quicker and easier for me, and no chart to follow! I do like the patterning on the cuff. Can you spot the difference in the picture above? I am not sure how I did not notice it before (well, I knit sock 1 in October and did not touch the other till the end of December - that could have something to do with it…) One diagonal rib leans to the left, and the other leans to the right. I must have been knitting it inside out the first time. This is not a big deal to me - they look very similar side by side.

This was my first short row heel, and honestly, I did not like it too much. I am willing to give it another try, but I am leaning towards heel flaps as my “heel of choice”.

About the yarn: As stated before, this Cascade Fixation takes some “getting used to” time. The cotton and elastic blend makes a very stretchy fabric, and this stretch can work against you as it knits up. It is important to knit the sock without stretching the yarn - it will cause puckering and uneveness in the fabric, and may mess up your gauge. This is a bulkier sock yarn, and provides a warm sock when complete. The size 3 needles used for this sock were not a perfect match, however. Next time I work with Fixation, I will go down to US 2s, or even 1s to avoid the “holeyness”. The yardage does not look like much in the little ball, but two balls is sufficient for small needles and large feet!

…These were one pair of Socktoberfest socks… I still have to work on the other sock (Dublin Bay #2) and then Socktoberfest will officially be over at LollyKnitting Around.

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We had such a nice time in Alabama. It was a long drive down there, but it was completely worth it. We stayed with my aunt and uncle in northern Alabama (my dad’s brother and his wife) and visited several times with my grandfather who lives nearby. My aunt and uncle built a cabin near the Bankhead National Forest a few years ago, and it is beautiful to visit. It is remote, relaxing, and a million miles from the hectic life of metro DC.

My uncle keeps mules: this is Major (left) and Emily (right) at feeding time.

As Kris, my uncle, and my cousin busied themselves outside, my aunt and I stayed inside and knit away.

She has been knitting off and on for years, and recently got back into it big time. She is making some lovely scarves! This is her scrap scarf, with some leftovers from other projects, and some odds and ends she inherited and collected at the thrift shops. She is also working on a great striped scarf in Auburn University colors (blue and orange) for my cousin who is a grad student there. I showed her how to use circular needles while I was there, so she may be the hat queen next!

Bargain hunting is second nature to my family, we love us some thrift shops and flea markets! I have to share with you my auntie’s FIND OF THE CENTURY.

A few months back, I get a phone call from my aunt telling me about her big find. On this trip, I got to see it…

She found a whopping 47 balls of Anny Blatt angora and mohair - filled to the brim in a large comforter bag at the Goodwill thrift shop. The price? $3. Three dollars for yarn that would easily be appraised at over $200 - can you believe it?

The pictures don’t show all of it, just a sample - loads of beautiful yarn, lovely heathery angora that feels like feathers, and mohair/wool mix that is light and airy. I just shook my head in disbelief. What a find! She is not sure what to make with all of it yet, so if you have any ideas, let me know and I will pass them on to her!

I have too much to say, and too little time! So another blog entry will be on the way soon: more family visits, MY thrift store finds, and progress on Kris’s raglan zipper cardigan coming right up!

Our Wednesday road trip to Alabama went really well – we made good time, and got to my aunt and uncle’s house in about 12 hours. As Kris drove through Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and finally Alabama, I sat beside knitting away on Kris’s sweater. Yeah, you heard right – I did not finish Kris’s sweater in time for his birthday last Monday – but it is coming along quite well.

I finished the body, and am now working on the sleeves; after finishing those, I have to join together for the yoke, and then install the zipper – that’s a cinch, right?

Just for a little variety, and to close up some loose ends (no better time to work on lingering 2005 knits than on the Eve of 2006, huh?) I brought my socks along. Second Sock Syndrome hit me pretty hard… but I am trying my darndest to eradicate that now…

I finished the first Diagonal pattern sock during Socktoberfest, and not did not start the second one until December. I am using Cascade Fixation, which is quite fun to work with – the cotton / elastic blend makes a nice fabric that stretches. Next time I work with this yarn, I am planning to go down a needle size (I am currently using US 3s, but I think the US 2s would suit my knitting and my foot size a little better).

I love this sock. This is the Dublin Bay pattern from Mossy Cottage Knits. The yarn is one of the best I have worked with (Tess Designer Yarns; Heather bought this for me at Stitches East 2005) and the slight color variations make such a lovely fabric. I worked this one up on US 1s, so it is a very small thick fabric – just perfect for a sock. The small gauge and tight knitting did a number on my double pointed needles, though! I finished this sock the day after Christmas, and will be starting sock 2 very soon. Can’t wait to have a finished pair and show these lovelies off.

My aunt and I have scouted out several thrift shops in Alabama – I picked up several sweaters to unravel (among them a wool/angora in carnation pink, an aquamarine chunky wool turtleneck, and wool/cotton variegated funnel neck – pictures to come when I get back home!) We have also been knitting quite a bit too. It is so much fun being able to share this knitting hobby (obsession?) with my family.

My mom finished her first scarf – she knit it up in a nice stockinette with garter edges to lay flat. She already gave it away to a friend for Christmas! I wish my first scarf had turned out this nicely!

Right after giving my sister, Sarah, some new needles and yarn for Christmas, she cast on for a scarf – and the word on the street is that she is already finished with it! Haven’t seen it with my own eyes yet, though

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Kris and I will be back in Maryland on the 3rd, so expect some fun Alabama pictures, thrift store finds, and maybe, just maybe, a finished pair of socks.

Two days was too long of a break! You Socktoberists are insatiable!

For administrative purposes, I decided to make October 19th the last day for people to sign up for Socktoberfest 2005. All this means is that I will stop adding names to my sidebar–see how many we have already? If there are late-comers that are still interested in Socktoberfest, please feel free to knit socks with us, and comment on the blogs of Socktoberists… there is always next year!

So I have some great news–Our little knitalong has attracted some attention!

I got an email from Allison, owner of Simply Sock Yarn Company, an online company that sells all of the sock yarns we love.

Lolly,

What a great and fun idea! I (obviously owning an e-store that just sells sock knitting items) adore knitting socks. All the encouragement and friendship shown on the blogs of those taking part in Socktoberfest is really wonderful to see.

…I would be happy to donate a skein of Fleece Artist Merino yarn to whomever you all choose as the winner.

Can’t wait to see more of the socks that come out of this!

Allison

Simply Socks Yarn Company http://www.simplysockyarn.com/StoreFront.bok

This news is so exciting! So, I was thinking of a random number generator–just so everyone could have an equal chance, and so it did not turn into a popularity contest (that is not Socktoberfest spirit!)

I will consider everyone who joins the group before October 19th in the running for this contest. And just to make the odds a little better for everyone, I will come up with another sock-related prize to send out. The Prize Day will be October 31st.

Unfortunately, my weekend was filled more with homework than knitting. The really bad thing about it? My mind is already in vacation mode for Hawaii, but I still have to go to class tonight and tomorrow…

This is the best picture I have ever taken of this yarn. It really shows the lovely light and dark sections. I love Tess yarns! The Dublin Bay pattern is going very well. I love the little lace inserts. There is also a matching one on the other side.

… and my first Diagonal Fixation sock is done! It was a quick knit on the size 3 needles. I think that next time I work with Cascade Fixation, however, I will go down to 2s. These are a great fit, but the stitches are not as tight as I like them. I think that they will be perfect for warmer temperatures. One more sock to go. I did no do the pattern on the foot, opting for straight stockinette instead.

I was unable to swatch for the Kris’s raglan cardigan this weekend. It may have to wait till the end of the month… but I did find a perfect pattern for my further stashbusting efforts:

Stefanie’s new pattern is my favorite yet. I love cardigans, and these cables are just a great touch. You can order this pattern on her website. You can also order a kit from Jeanie’s store, DiscountYarnSale.com (Jeanie is a fellow Socktoberist!)

I bought 12 skeins of Lion Brand Kool Wool last spring. I was attracted by the sale sticker and the pretty Eggplant color. They were languishing in my stash because I had no project in mind… until now! The gauge is very similar to the Cabled Cardi, and I think it will look smashing in this color. Yes, I have a lot of things on my “to knit” list, but this is also a stash buster!

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10:52pm — I finished my paper at 3:46pm, printed it out and took the train to my 5:10pm class. I forgot my knitting, so I sat on the train and looked at people’s shoes… I hate when I run out and forget the knitting!

While I was at class–a mere 5 hours away from the computer–I got 26 emails about joining Socktoberfest. That means we have 211 participants in this knitalong! I guess Fleece Artist Merino is a pretty good incentive!

So here are those great Socktoberfest updates you were waiting for!

Looking for some great finished socks? These ladies can show you some! Go look right this instant!

Kira Tacha Karen Jillz Barbara

Lisa Catrin Siri Luvtocraft Stephanie Cathy

AmyBoogie Petra (3 pairs!) Chris Risë Emmy Susan

 

And in some other Socktoberfest news…

Chrissy in looking for some great free online patterns. Share your favorites with her!

Laura wants your input on sock swatching: do you do it?

Cathy is curious about reinforcing the heel and the ball of the foot. Do you have any advice for her?

Brenda shows off her amazing array of finished socks from the past. I have to say, I am a little jealous!

Grumperina shows off the socks that she has made for her grandmother, and the new pair she just started.

Katie is still taking names for her Sock Scrap Swap–rid your stash of your old sock scraps… and then get some pretty new ones!

Okay, time for me to go… I think I am going to fall asleep sitting up!

PS–I am woefully behind in my emails–so if you have written to me, I will get back to you, I promise!

My first short row heel was a success!

My Diagonal Fixation sock #1 is progressing well.

At this point, I can’t say which heel I prefer. I have done four "eye of partridge" heel flaps, and I did like those. The short row heel formed quickly following the directions in the Diagonal Fixation pattern.

The lighting, angle, and the texture of the Cascade Fixation yarn prevent one from seeing the real details of the short row heel (and the cuff’s diagonal stitching) in this shot. A finished sock will be a better representation–maybe this weekend.

**What is your heel of choice? Do you have any tips for short row heels or heel flaps that can help other Socktoberists and sock knitters in general? Is there a book or online tutorial that you found helpful?

Socktoberfest Updates:

• Allison finished a bright and colorful pair of socks yesterday and started a new pair today!
• Diane made some pretty in pink socks for her first Socktober pair.
• Amylovie finished some very handsome socks for her husband!
• Rachel shows off her lovely finished socks, and her nearly finished socks in her post.
• Miriam made some great anklets with KnitPicks yarn.
• Mel finished a pair of gift socks, and then started on a pair of Koigu socks for herself.
• Kathy finished her first socks ever and compiled a list of things she has learned about sock knitting.

…and in one week’s time… I will be here!

Hawaii!

Don’t worry, Socktoberfest will continue to go strong–even if I have to update from the beach!