Narrow-Ankled Dimpled Diamonds (Part 2) and Pattern FAQ

More non-competition variations for my “Dimpled Diamonds” sock pattern, released to participants in Sock Madness 3 on Tuesday, 12 March, now that the round has closed.

(I’m writing only the *modifications*, for you to pencil them into your margins.)  I enjoyed knitting this pattern, and I sincerely  hope that you will too!

If you are working the size specified in the  Sock Madness pattern and want to narrow the ankle section only, use these numbers after you turn the heel:

Rd 5:  K 18, sl(p)3 . . . .

Rd 8:  K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2.

Rd 9:  K 14, sl(p)3 . . . .

Rd 12:  K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2.

Rd 13:  K 10, sl(p)3 . . . .

Rd 16:  K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2.

Rd 17:  K 6, sl(p)3 . . . .

Rd 21:  K 3, sl(p)3 . . . .

Your final expansion rd will be Rd 25, instead of Rd 29 like the other sizes, but the same directions will work for you.  Follow them as written in the pattern from here on.

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For a narrower foot overall, see previous post from 5/13.

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Dimpled Diamond pattern FAQ:

Q:  What does the term “touch-down stitch” or “anchor stitch” refer to?  A:  That is my own term for the single knit stitch after a long run of slipped stitches; not a special technique, just a shorthand term that I can then use later on in the pattern.

Q:  When you “knit under” the strand, are you knitting that as a new stitch?  A:  No, you’re knitting a stitch in the current row, but reaching your right needle tip under that loose strand on the front 2 rounds down before you do it.  This tucks the strand around behind the new stitch, thus the term “tuck stitch”.  Your stitch-count should not change.

Q:  Does it matter exactly where I start the arch-shaping?  A:  No, but be sure to do it before the heel, so that your stitch-count will match the pattern as you go forward and your arch/instep will have enough room in the sock.

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No news yet on my resubmitted Level 2 materials.  DH mailed the box on Friday and I don’t expect the reviewer to receive it until the middle of next week.  I’ll work on and post about other stuff in the meantime . . . .

Narrow Dimpled Diamonds — Part 1

Dimpled Diamonds Socks

At least 2 knitters have finished their socks (wow!), so I think it’s “safe” now to post some non-competition-appropriate variations.

First installment is a version that is narrower overall, as I made my prototype.  This width takes less yarn:  I used only 74 grams/280 yards of Shepherd Sock stripey yarn.  Later on, I plan to post changes to narrow only the ankle.

Errata found so far:    — Mark these on your pattern!!

• The center-back marker needs to go after st #19 and not after #18. I think all the instructions after that are correct (the “k18, slip 3,…” ones), once the marker is in the right place.  You’ll know your Rd 5 is right if you slip the last 2 sts on heel ndl and the 1st st on instep ndl and your touch-down st is directly above the tuck-st of previous set.
• Toe, Round 2, the bracketed instructions should read: “k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts on ndl, kfb, k2”.
• Foot, Rd 9, instep should end with “k4”, to make 5 knit sts altogether.
• Ankle, Rd 3, the marker should go after st #19, and the plain round before the final expansion is Rd 28, not Rd 29.

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Competitors must work the pattern as written, but non-competitors who want an overall narrower foot on their Dimpled Diamonds socks may make the following modifications.

Same toe, but stop when you reach 29 + 29 = 58 sts.

Patt Rd 1: K 5, sl(p)3 . . . .  (You fill in the rest; be symmetrical.)

Patt Rd 3: K5, dip-&-tuck . . . .

Patt Rd 5: K2, sl(p)3 . . . .

Patt Rd 7: K2, dip-&-tuck . . . .

Patt Rd 9: K 3, sl(p)5 . . . .

Patt Rd 11: K 5, dip-&-tuck . . . .

At 5 – 5 1/2″, add 3 pairs of sole sts, as directed, unto 29+35= 64 sts.

Work heel as directed, but on 35 sts.  So your first turn will be between sts #34 and #35.

Ankle choices:
Slim = decrease a pair of sts on rd 8 and on rd 12, unto 60 sts.
Avg = increase 1 pair of sts on rd 4, unto 66 sts; perhaps use smaller ndl on cuff-top.
Wider = inc 1 pair of sts on rd 4, also unto 66 sts; larger ndls throughout ankle and cuff.

You can probably work out the ankle pattern expansions yourselves by eye, having gotten this far with the Quilted Lattice stitch-pattern, but you can contact me via the Comments section if you need further assistance on this.

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I do not have numbers specifically for wider feet.   Perhaps either the medium or narrow sizes, worked at a larger gauge and/or in a thicker yarn, would work for you.  Or, if you feel more confident, add more stitches in the toe and add more reps to the Quilted Lattice pattern on the instep; just make sure you have a multiple of 6 stitches by the time your pattern joins up at the ankle-back.

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Customizing for higher insteps may be accomplished by adding more stitches at mid-foot and decreasing them (or not, if you also want a wider ankle) at ankle-back.  Just make sure you have a multiple of 6 sts before the pattern joins up at center-back.

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I will post modifications for narrowing the ankle portion on the medium-width sock after all the official competitors have passed that point in their race.

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More spring images.

Those aspen buds I posted last week have been growing. 

But we also have some “volunteers” coming up in undesireable places. 

I think I’ve finished my last resubmission knitting!  More later.

“Dimpled Diamonds” Errata and Level 2: Resubmit #7

Firstly, for participants in Sock Madness 3 who received my Dimpled Diamonds sock pattern today, Tuesday, 12 March 2009:

Errata found so far:
Toe, Round 2, the bracketed instructions should read:  “k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts on ndl, kfb, k2“.
Foot, Rd 9 should end with “k4” instead of “k5″, to make 5 knit sts altogether.
Ankle, Rd 3, the marker should go after stitch #19, and the last plain round before the final expansion is Rd 28, not Rd 29.

—————————————  edited to add most up-to-date corrections. ————————————–

Secondly, for those following my work on Level 2 of TKGA’s Mast Handknitter program:

I’ve also finished another swatch to resubmit.

Here’s the original Swatch #14 – Cable #1, “Wave Cable”.

Swatch #14 - original

It’s main flaw is, perhaps, immediately apparent.   Although, strictly speaking, these cables do have “3 reverse stockinette sts or 3 garter sts on each side”. . .  this is not exactly what the committee had in mind when they wrote the directions. 

Evaluator’s notes:  “The instructions were not followed correctly for this swatch.  …  Eliminate the rib in the center.  This swatch should resemble the appearance of [your] swatch #15 with the two cables and only 3 stitches in between.  …  The seed stitch at the bottom is less than 1″ and seed stitch border should be worked with better tension.”

Swatch #14b -- for resubmission

Seed stitch in Cascade 220 certainly does loosen up when wet!  But I’m hoping this swatch’s borders will pass muster.  I didn’t attempt to straighten the edges fully, but let them flare; judge said of Swatch #16 that the ” flare in the borders as been successfully managed,” so I’m not so worried that the un-compensated borders be flare-less.  Would you agree?

She has liked my cable work overall, writing, ” The cables are nicely made with good tension on the knit to purl transition at the edges,” and “This is a very nice cable with good tension and good blocking.”  All my cable *patterns*, however, need to be rewritten to be more brief, terse, and clear, with standard terminology, layout, and notation.  Perhaps this would be a good time to mention that I specifically *asked* for extra vigilance in checking and critiquing my pattern-writing.  [Notice, from the first part of this post, that others are reading my pattern-writing, so constructive criticism can be put to good and immediate use!]

Lots of Little Bits

Not a whole lot of knitting going on; that is to say, a variety of projects tackled, but not very many inches produced.  My neck has been bothering me enough that there were several days this week that I just could not knit; plus a day I took off on principle.

My current Square-Top Cap is down to the ribbing.  I’m planning a turned-up brim on this one.   Uses 80 stitches, to be larger than my usual (lately) 72 sts. 

And I’ve progressed on my Multi-directional scarf in Twisted “Duchess” (DK-weight) yarn, colorway “Rodney”. 

And I’ve been swatching some Wisdom Yarns “Poems” in entrelac. 

I redid that

left-most

triangle, but

the new photo

is not as

colorful.

On each tier, I’ve tried a slight variation in the technique:  slipping the top-edge stitches or not, working special selvedge stitches at the side-edges or not, picking up 1/2  or  1 whole stitch in from the previous tier’s edge, purling back or purling back backwards, and so on.  Some look better on the front, some on the back, but I’m homing in on “favorite” techniques — particularly looking ahead to Master Level 3.  Next time, I want to try another cast on. . . .  (So many ideas, so little available time!)  My new LYSO also wants someone to teach a class in entrelac, so I’m exlporing how I might do that myself.  This yarn is a single and very softly-spun, so I’m concerned it may pill easily.  The swatch is, therefore, destined for felting.  (Funky hot pad!)

On the second of my Purl-sided Socks, I’ve reached the instep-increases.  (Due to the curl of the purl side-panels, they look quite funny with no feet in them!)  I’m deciding between 2 heel-possibilities — not an exact match to the first sock — keeps it interesting!

And I have an idea for a next pair. . . .  (Discipline, discipline!  Pace it out.)  These would be for my mother, I think, in Classic Elite’s “Alpaca Sox” yarn, using one of Cat Bordhi’s architectures in New Pathways for Sock Knitters (Book One).  I’m especially looking for that great idea for *next year’s* Sock Madness. . . .

Speaking of Sock Madness, Round 1’s pattern will be released this coming Thursday morning and the competitors are chomping at the bit over on the Ravelry discussion board.  This one is NOT my pattern, but I hope they will yet use mine — it has been featured in one of the teasers!  Again this year, as last, I am  not competing, but watching from the sidelines and enjoying all the hooplah.  Seeing the teasers has made me wish I could get all those patterns, but. . . not this year.

Warming Up and Fiddling Around

Winter and spring continue to wrestle for dominance (as a devotional I read recently put it). Eventhough we know who wins, it’s entertaining to watch the process. Our weather is warming up this week, and the dormant lawn in starting to show again, from under the snow. 

Knitting-wise, today, I’m fiddling around with some child-sized socks as prototypes for an idea I want to explore. 

It has purl stitches

along the sides,

and I have PLANS

for that panel

when I get to the

ankle! 

When I’m testing a design idea, I often wish knitting went faster, so that I can see the results — good or needing refinement — while it’s still fresh and my mind is still turning.   So, here, I’m using biggish yarn and knitting for a smallish foot.    I don’t want to wear myself out — my neck is acting up something fierce! — but I SOOO want to see if this pans out!

Speaking of sock designs, Sock Madness 3 is taking sign-ups *NOW*, from Sunday 1 March until 6 March, OR until they’re full at about 200.  If you’ve ever thought you might like to get in on the fun crazies that are the Sock Madness speed-sock-knitting contest, send the coordinators an e-mail pronto!

Two hats are progressing.

The US Postal Service tells me that my box of Master Knitter materials arrived in Ohio this past Tuesday — hurray!  So by now it will have been sent on the first reviewer.   I don’t expect to hear until the entire process is complete and several people have evaluated my work.   Then, I’ll get my box back with notes included.  Waiting.

So, what are YOU currently waiting for?  Are you trying out a new idea?

It’s in the Mail!

Well, I completed my Level 2 work and put the notebook all together.  (Hurray!!)

And made sure all the projects were tagged and bagged.

And boxed it all up, with padding for protection (I hope!).  Here, teen-genius helps the box and me out to the car.

We posted the box to Ohio, and hope to hear soon that the main office has received it and sent it on to its first reviewer.

I felt pretty lost the first few days after the push to finish was done.  But I’ve since gotten back into editing the pattern I submitted to Sock Madness.  Hillary has been test knitting it, and had some extremely helpful suggestions to improve the pattern’s clarity.  The best way I’ve found to check one of my patterns is to see if I can knit *from* it, so I cast on a third sock and have worked almost all the way back through the main parts, leaving out the length of the foot and the heel turn.  (No photos — it’s secret!)

And I’ve also got another incarnation of my new Square-Top Hat pattern going. 

Then, I pulled my hibernating Kilt Hose out and decided I didn’t like how this arrangement of calf-increases looks.  So, I ripped back the last 3 increase-pairs and have devised a new plan.  We shall see.

And maybe a bunny, maybe a skirt, maybe that entrelac shawl,will also be added/restored as Works in Progress.

. . . while I wait to hear about Level 2.

(Hurray again!  Phew, too!)

Another Fair Isle pattern band done!

There has been a dirth of knitting content here of late — partly due to the “secret” nature of my work on a new pattern for publishing.  I think this photo may be “safe”, though.    I had been concentrating on only this for the past several weeks.  But now that the pattern has been submitted, I have branched back out.  I’ve resumed my work on Level 2 of the Master HandKnitter program — hurray!  I’m so glad to be at it again.  The Master’s program is so satisfying to me!  Here’s some progress on my vest project: 

I intend the finished product to be for my 8-year-old DD.  Then there’ll be more swatches, projects, and reports. . . .

And, also very exciting to me, I just completed the “Autumn Colors” pattern band in my Fair Isle sampler. 

I drew the motifs and colors from Betts Lampers’ cardigan design, “Autumn Colors Fair Isle”, in Sweaters from Camp, a soon-to-be-out-of-print book from Schoolhouse Press.

I have had the next band in mind for some time:  same motifs, but interlocking, and done in Noro sock yarn on an off-white background.  You can see the barest beginnings of it at the photo’s top.  I wonder how many rounds I’ll get before the yarn changes color?  I had to tink back 3 times before I got the colors aligned properly, but I’m hoping I can forge ahead from here.

The exciting news around the knitting/crocheting/fiber circles of Flagstaff?  A new LYS opening later this month!  “Purl in the Pines”, the ONLY yarn shop in town.  We haven’t had one for 2 1/2 years, since Unravel closed after about 2 years in business.  Many of us are very hopeful of gaining a new place to see and feel yarns, and a new focus for community.  (When I get a link, I’ll post it in the blog and in the sidebar.)

Fall Colors and “Carnivorous” Sock Designing

I love seeing the colors change at this time of year.  Our sumac turns earliest.  Here it is on 24 August, with just a bit of yellow peeking through from under the green. 

And here is today’s palette.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just love it!

Sock Madness designing had been “eating my lunch” last week (hence the term “carnivorous” in this post’s title!), but this week it’s more or less in hand.  I have the pattern written out to the heel, but am fine-tuning some neat tricks for the ankle.  No photos yet — don’t want to give away any surprises for 2009’s competition!

It’s Beginning. . .

Two things, actually.

First:  I looked out my window, and guess what I saw along the edges of the leaves on one (only one, so far) of our aspen trees. 

And amongst the sumac leaves. . . 

Yellow! 

 

September and autumn approach!

 

 

The other thing that’s beginning:

Designing for Sock Madness 3!  (More stealth knitting.)

I *can* show you some balling of tentative yarn, with the “help” of my feline companion, Chloe. 

She has actually been showing much more restraint when it comes to the swift.  Of course, once the yarn is balled up — if you look away — she swipes it!

When I learned that the deadline for SockMadness pattern submissions was nearer than I’d realized, I put Lord Scott’s kilt hose on hold and dove in to my stash of ideas and sock yarns.  Currently the “front burner” idea involves . . . 

 

 

 

– wait for it  –

 

 

 

 

 

. . . BEADS!

But, of course, I can’t show you much in the way of photos.  [sigh]

Here is how far I’d gotten on Lord Scott’s socks, when he tried them on and I saw where I need to make alterations (after I finish the SM3 design). 

Need to taper the toe and widen the instep.  Yep, that means ripping — from both ends!  But he likes them, and that’s good news.  Haven’t made a final decision on the cuff pattern yet.

My own (prototype) hose are just into the calf-shaping. 

I’m increasing on either side of a central k3 rib, that itself arose from a k1.  We shall see!

If I like it, I may shape more pairs similarly, but I’ll probably shape Scott’s in a more “tradtitional” way with no “spacer” between increases.  Not sure yet.  That’s why I’m working these first — to learn and try.

Nice words and Master Knitter Lace work

Gracious fellow sock-designer, ruth “the Yarnarian”, wrote some very nice things about me and my Godmother’s Sock pattern today.  Won’t you go and check out her blog:  http://theyarnarian.blogspot.com/  And this woman knows sock designs!  Need corroboration?  Here’s Celtic Memory Jo’s blog post where she praises Ruth’s “utterly glorious Leafy Green Socks” (scroll down toward bottom, after small-town-Ireland St. Patrick’s Day parade photos).  http://celticmemoryyarns.blogspot.com/2008/03/easter-treading-on-heels-of-st-patrick.html   The Ravelry pattern for those socks is here:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leafy-green-socks

In my last post, I predicted Master Knitter lace photos, and here they are.

Tilted Block or Tilting Trellis. 

Arrowhead Lace.

Openwork Diamonds.    

 

Anyone reading this who has more expertise than I in knitting lace — I’d appreciate some constructive feedback.  The judges will be looking for even tension, consistent hole-size, smooth decreases, and proper blocking.  Blocking the first one was especially challenging, due to the wavy nature of the biasing stitch-pattern.  I used a smaller needle on the third one, since it had so much stockinette and I wanted it to be very even.  But perhaps that was just my lace-insecurity!  I should probably re-block the 3rd swatch’s bind off row — it looks like it pulls in just a bit. . . .

More progress on the Fair Isle sampler “Autumn Colors” band.  Three quarters of the way through the first of three motifs. 

Pretty bright, eh?!  Especially compared with the Feitelson band just beneath.  I’m considering knitting another band in this sampler with the same motifs (love the 3-rhythm!) but different colors — perhaps a Noro sock yarn for one color. . . .   Also comtemplating Meg Swansen’s “Russian Prime” pullover, which has a comparable 1-3-5 rhythm that might feel similarly “right”  [Image of sweater about 1/3 down this page of SHP videos].  This scarf is becoming quite a bag-ful:  (Hi, Chloe!)

Our Honey Locust tree is done leafing out and looks grand!  Love the multi greens!

Prediction for next post:  Cable swatches and Sock-tops.