Thursday, January 24, 2013

Mrs. M Knits a Sock, Part 2: The Turning of the Heel

...about which there is really very little to say; it was accomplished quietly and without even a modicum of swearing (or sweating)...


This is a German heel, recommended by Elizabeth Zimmermann for novice sock-knitters such as I (after completing several of which, we may graduate to the more conventional Conventional Heel, "which actually wears better").

The German heel was, as she promised, very simple: a series of short rows worked from the middle of the square heel flap, with decreases at each end that bite into the garter stitch edges and form the curve of the heel. (Easier done than expressed.) What a relief - turning the heel was the aspect of sock-knitting which most filled me with dread.

Next came the ankle-shaping. Though I love EZ's minimalist style, I found the instructions here a bit vague. She says merely: "Work on down the foot, decreasing away the surplus stitches at each ankle until you have the number of stitches you started with." The concept is easily grasped; I started with 36 stitches and now have 44, and need to get back down to 36. But where do I make the decreases? "At each ankle". Where's that?

My best guess was to place the decreases on either side of the ribbing stitches which continue down from the cuff. This seemed to work pretty well (except for one rogue decrease that sticks out a mile - did I slant it the wrong way?):


I could drop stitches back to that point and try to fix it, but I won't. It shall remain as a humility mark, and a proof of my comparatively tepid feelings for knitting (if this were a crochet project I'd frog back and do the whole thing over with scarcely a murmur).

Now I am merrily on my way down the foot, which seems to be growing more slowly than the cuff did:


Tension is still a problem, as you can see. (I begin to understand the expression "knit-pick".). But the waters of blocking will, I hope, wash away at least some of those stitch-y sins.

Soon I'll be working the toe decreases, then savouring the final and dubious delights of Kitchener stitch. (Then it will be time to start all over on the second sock.)

Until next time....

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P.S. A question for the knitters out there: Which cast-on do you prefer for top-down socks?

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28 comments:

  1. it's almost there Sue well done! that's the trouble with socks you have to make 2 haha :)

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    1. Thanks, Linda! Yes, I'm already thinking about two-at-a-time socks.... :)

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  2. I had something I was going to say, and Linda's comment cracked me up, so now I don't remember! Geez!

    I've never done top down on socks, and my favorite cast-on has been long-tail. I've used the larger needle method and switched to the proper size needle to begin knitting, and that seems to work okay for whatever I've done.

    I love the way your sock is growing, and I, too, probably would leave the bump. (Not sure what caused it, and I'd probably want to know, just like you!)

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    1. I used long-tail for this, as the knit-on recommended by EZ just wasn't working for me.

      That bump will haunt me for days.... :)

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  3. You see, I told you that it wasn't too bad knitting socks. You are doing a great job. It looks much better then my first pair did.
    I always use a long tail cast on with a needle one size bigger. That's the easiest way and it works well.
    Assuming it is like the other patterns that I have knit, to me that bump looks like it was because you k2tog into the front instead of into the back.
    But saying that I'm not an expert in all things socky.
    Rosie xx

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    1. Thanks, Rosie! Is it possible to k2tog in the front? (I'm trying to visualise that and failing). But you're right about socks - this one has been smooth sailing so far, and much easier than I expected it to be. :)

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  4. That's it isn't it, that crochet it has to be said is not half so scary as knitting......the thought of dropping a knitted stitch makes me break into a cold sweat....I know I should do as advised and stuff something up on purpose so I can learn to correct, but.....eeuuuggghhh!

    I too have started knitting some socks, there must be something in the air!

    Happy knitting!

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    1. I saw your sock post - two at a time on your first pair! You wild woman!

      Yes, crochet is much less nerve-wracking. Only one loop to drop, for one thing. :)

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  5. In my very rare moment as a sock knitter I only made them from the toe up, but as we know socks are not my thing. Still I am in awe of those of you who can knit them.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. So did you EVER make a second sock? I'm dying to know.... :)

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  6. Your sock is looking much better than my first sock. I only knit one pair so I don't have advise on the cast on.

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    1. Thanks Beth! I'd love to see photos of your socks (hint hint). :)

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  7. I'm with Mereknits...in awe of anyone kitting socks and yours look wonderful, humility mark and all Sue.
    Turning the heel has always had me worried but you make it look so easy.
    I still haven't been back into town to the wool shop, but maybe next week I will make it.
    One sock almost finished the second will no doubt be a breeze for you and I imagine these won't be the only pair you knit either!!
    Have a great weekend,

    Claire :}

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    1. Thanks Claire! And I MUST knit more socks, as I have been given two kinds of lovely sock yarn, the first of which has been sitting in my stash for almost a year now, mutely reproaching me for cowardice. I'm determined to use it soon.

      :)

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  8. Mrs. Micawber, you said you had almost nothing to say about the turning of the heel, and now such a nice post is here :) All the bets and I think I'll hold on with knitting for a while :)

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    1. Thanks, Anna. I know, after saying there was not much to say I went on talking for several paragraphs. :)

      Hope your weather is nice in India.

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  9. oh wow! I'm in awe of your sock. Hoping someday that my knitting ability will increase to the level of sock knitting.
    And, to think you did it without swearing! Amazing!!

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    1. Yes - although I don't usually swear at my projects. Or only very mildly....

      Thanks Deborah! :)

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  10. Looking good :-). Turning a heel is big excitement!

    I use my normal cast on - hard to know what to call it really as there's seems to be very little agreement as to what they're called but long-tail thumb cast-on seems to cover it (this way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG7YiILaqRg ). It seems stretchy enough but then I'm a bit of a loose knitter anyway. I sometimes use bigger needles for casting-on for things like socks just to make sure it's stretchy enough.

    I'd go mad with a pattern as vague as that - this is the one I default to as it's so beautifully clear: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/just-yer-basic-sock It's the one I used for my first socks and it's so clear you just follow what she says and it works :-).

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    1. Thanks for the pattern link, Ginny!

      I do really like EZ's style - it's more akin to a formula than a pattern but I love to work that way. And those vague passages are a good challenge to the knitting intellect. :)

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  11. I've only made two pairs of socks and on both I used the long-tail cast on, with bigger needle and they turned out great. I must admit on my first sock when I read the directions for turning the heal I thought the pattern writer must have surely been high, but as I went slowly and just followed the directions (alway a novel idea for me!) it all worked out.
    Your socks is lovely and I, too, would leave the bump. It gives it character...and isn't that really just a design element anyway? :)

    I love that you said if it were crochet you'd frog it all back and start over. Isn't that the coolest about crochet...no fear, no dropped stitches, no bitting of nails...just ease and comfort.

    Can't wait to see the other sock. I have a second mitten that is still waiting to be brought to life on my knitting needles...it's only been about two years! :)

    I just found your lovely blog because of the awesome Meredith from Mereknits.

    I am looking forward to back reading all your posts.

    Wishing you a wonderful day filled with many blessings. :)

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    1. Thank you, Stitchy! I know I've seen you around in the comment section of Blogland.

      I used the long-tail cast on for this sock and it seemed to work fine, although it's a bit loopy and loose looking. But very stretchy! :)

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  12. A thrilling account of your knitting adventures!! I envy your courage to take on knitting a sock!! Knowing that I could only end up with one sock due to many frustrations on the first...plus the fact that I'm not a knitter (BTDT)...allows me some comfortable distance. Knowing that laundry could take the second sock anyway does not ease my mind, either. ;)

    And so, with that, I fully follow your knitting journey enjoying your well-crafted writing and nimble fingers! :D

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    1. Thanks, Laura - so glad to know I'm giving you vicarious knitting thrills. ;)

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  13. Looks like you are doing pretty darn good. I tried knitting several years ago and was all thumbs. Have a wonderful weekend. Tammy

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    1. You too, Tammy! And I feel all thumbs with knitting - but it's a pleasant break from crochet design. At least for a few days, anyway. :)

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  14. Hi! Just wanted to thank you for the post about the homemade detergent, dry formula. I made a batch in September, but it was the liquid version. The first jug wasn't too bad, but that was used up at Christmas; now I am working on the second jug and I have to admit it is difficult to shake up and make usable. Sort of like trying to pour cream-of-wheat that has clumped in the pan!!(did that too, wasn't fun) It is wonderful though as far as being cost-effective and not causing any skin reactions with my family and their sensitive skin!! Very cheap for the number of loads it covers!! Also wanted to say, last year when I stumbled upon your page via Ravelry and read about one of your rides, enjoyed the pictures. I kept thinking the trees and fields looked a lot like Wisconsin!! I live up North, Barron County. Don't knit really, but I do enjoy seeing what others are able to create (crochet is my forte). I enjoy your blog!!

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    1. Thanks, Darlene. The detergent has worked out really well for us.

      Barron County? (I know someone in Rice Lake - are you near there?) You must be even colder than we are - I'm in South Central Wisconsin.

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