May 06 2008
secrets
I hate having secret knitting in the works, because really, if you can’t blog it, is it worth it? I just spent a bit of time knitting something for a designer, and I hope I’ll be able to share it with you when it’s made public. Not taking a single shot of the completed project was really weird, but I packed it up and delivered it this past week.
There was also another secret project, and I can tell you guys about it now, but it’s not directly knitting so it will wait.
Happily, I was working on some secret knitting that I can now share.
The pattern is my own—and is not what I’d originally intended. The legs of the socks were supposed to be an intricate, elaborate, jaw-dropping design of interlocking cables. I’d charted dozens of variations, settled on my favorite, and knit it up. But the dang things wouldn’t fit over my heel—even though I’d added stitches in order to accommodate that! I do know how physics works!—and so I had to simplify, or else I never would have hit the sock swap deadline.
As they are, the cable is Hartshorn from Barbara Walker vol II, and I may yet write these up for public consumption. It was fiddly to get the dang things to work, so you may well need some guidance. My tentative name, already dubbed on Ravelry, is Spidey Sense. I’ll of course let you all know when I’ve worked out the buggers for various sizes—these are quite tailored to the recipient’s feet (luckily, the same size as mine).
The yarn is Neighborhood Fiber Company. The color here is not as vibrant or “green” as it was on the skein—when I washed them, blue dye started pouring out and didn’t really ever stop. In fact, it stained the drain on my bathroom sink bright blue and even left blue stains on the towel that I set them out to dry on. Perhaps if you’re using this brand of yarn, a vinegar rinse would be in order. Also, at the center of the skein (I knit the two semi-simultaneously from opposite ends of the ball) there were a lot of jagged spots in the yarn—areas with little bits hanging off that looked as if the yarn had been broken and felted back together or something. I don’t know what that was about. In some cases I skipped ahead in order to avoid the questionable parts, weaving in additional ends, and in others I just knit on, tucking the stray bits to the inside. I hope that wasn’t a foolish decision.
If I can set aside what I wanted them to be and take them for what they are, I have to admit, I totally love them! I hope Sukyong, who unfortunately couldn’t be at the sock swap party to receive them in person, does too. They went in the mail yesterday!
The socks are wonderful. Sorry you have had trouble with yarn that happens to lots of us. Keep up the great work. I will be looking forward to seeing your secret
knits;-)
they really are fantastic socks! I also very much love the Spidey Sense name, even if that doesn’t end up being the final pattern name. :)
Lucky Sukyong! I love the socks. I love how the pattern looks like corset laces.
Yarn troubles like that are so frustrating… the socks look great regardless!
Those are really terrific socks–the cable is a perfect fit (even if it was a pain to get it on them). Yay!
Cute cables! And I like that chartreuse kind of green (but too bad about your bathroom and towel, ouch…).
I *love* these socks, and what a perfect name for them!! I do hope you’ll be able to find the time to write them up.
Fantastic socks!
Hi, I’m Karida and I dyed your sock yarn. I’m so sorry for the trouble you had with them! I do always rinse and try to ensure color-fastness. I’m happy to send you a new skein of yarn that will hopefully not end with blue mess and such. Just send me an email. Other than that, the socks are gorgeous!
Karida
Really cool socks!
Despite the yarn problems, the socks are lovely! I really like that cable, and Spidey Sense is a great name for the pattern :)
wow, i love that cables! are you going to write up the pattern?
I love them! Sorry about the dye though. That stinks.
You should definitely write up the pattern. You know, when the time comes.
Lovely socks! I really like that green and the name.
I love the socks! And I love the name. I was a huge Spider-man fan as a kid. What a pain about the bleeding though. You’ve had some bad experiences with dyed yarn lately.
Umm, hello, still completely jaw dropping! I think I bought that very shade of ‘Neighborhood Fibre co. yarn at MD. Sheep and Wooll–is it ‘Logan Circle’ by any chance?
Those are fabulous socks, I just love the cable pattern. If you do get round to writing them up I would certainly make a pair.
they’re gorgeous minty! i love them! your sock pal is one lucky gal :)
All of your trial s paid off - a gorgeous pair of socks!
Your socks are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!
“I hate having secret knitting in the works, because really, if you can’t blog it, is it worth it? ” I’ve been doing a research outline for my thesis project and I find this question really interesting. In the process I’ve been reevaluating my whole relationship with flickr & the flicr community & knitting etc. etc. and debating some sort of internet sabatical to revalue things I love(d) best (knitting, photography, writing). At some point, my wires got crossed and I’m not sure what’s motivating me anymore. The media is the message, right? Anyway, gorgeous socks. Luf’m!
I love the pattern, especially the angularity (is that a word?) of the cable - kind of art deco looking. Another feather in your cap!
those are amazing!!!!! beautiful cables!
They’re GORGEOUS! I love the cables. I really hope you write up the pattern! If you need a size up test knitte,r I’m a little slow, but more than willing! I’m about a 9.75”, or 25 cm. Let me know!
Great work, too!
HOLY CRAP! Those are some amazing socks! MUST. HAVE. PATTERN!
I have trouble completing a pair of socks, let alone designing one! Very awesome.
You know, in the end, I actually really like how the color came out.
Not that it’s not frustrating to have the dye run. But still. I’d call it a happy accident, myself.
Those are beautiful! You did a fantastic job designing those!
Shame about the bleeding, but fantastic color/pattern combination - love that design.
So pretty. So very, very pretty.
GORGEOUS! love the color, and wow, what a delicious pattern!
The color still looks great, but it’s such a shame that you had to lose a dishtowel for the socks. But if any socks are worth losing a dishtowel, it’s those. They are lovely.
Oh *wow*. The best socks I have seen in - ???? Please do write up the pattern. I’ll send you some yarn, if you like?
wow, amazing socks…truly, the pattern and the color…is smashing!
I know that they may not have come out as you intended, but these are STUNNING…nice work. That yarn could not have been a more perfect choice!
:)
Love the cables and the color … I’m sure the recipient will love them!
LOVE LOVE LOVE! The cables & the color work well together. & I love the name. I read the name thought “What?” then looked up at the picture again & thought “Brilliant!!!”
The pattern is really lovely. Congrats!
those are fantastic! I have a question for you… but lost your email. …
wowie-kabowie! Erin, those are gorgeous!
I’m not sure how I’ve missed this blog so long, but I came over from the links in Fricknits (such a cool get together you guys got!)…and I’ll definitely be coming back. It seems like everyone has said it, but it deserves one more…that pattern is stunning and it would definitely go on my list of knits if you were ever to write it up!
oh my GOD how did I miss these????? love them. so much. xo