Samphire finished

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The Handmade Sock Society II second sock pattern, Samphire, is finished.  Just in time for the newest pattern release for the third sock in the series, which I’ll talk about in another post.

I kitchener stitched the toe yesterday morning before checking my email for the latest pattern reveal.

Once I figured out the lacy panel and a couple of lifelines, the socks flew off my needles.  Well, the second sock flew.  Knitting the second sock only took a week as I was busy with other things while knitting the first one.

Loving the deep, rich green of Knit Picks Stroll fingering yarn in Aurora Heather.

These socks aren’t blocked yet but truth be told, I haven’t blocked any of my finished socks.

My only mods were to substitute the slipped stitch heel flap for Eye of Partridge heel flap.

A great fit, too!

Reclaiming yarn

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Well, this is more like ripping out a project that was started years ago and will never see completion.  The original notes are long gone.  Plus I don’t think I have it in me to knit the second (boring, boring, BORING) sock even if I did find the notes.

This 413-yard ball of yarn is Plymouth Italian Collection Sockotta and is comprised of 45% cotton, 40% superwash wool, and 15% nylon.  That’s plenty for a different pair of socks, mitts, gloves or a shawl.  I thought about overdying it but I do like the neutral colors that would work for anyone.

In my opinion, kinky yarn presents challenges when knitting (or crocheting).

So I wound the raveled yarn around my homemade PVC pipe knitty-noddy,…gave it a good dousing under the shower, and hung it up to dry.

Ready for knitting…

Eye of Partridge Heel flap

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I mentioned in my previous post that I like the Eye of Partridge heel flap.  It has a dimpled diamond stitch appearance and I just think it looks cool.  The technique is very similar to the more common Slipped Stitch Heel flap (below).

As with a lot of knitting stitches, the Eye of Partridge may be called something else.  I’ve also seen it called V-Heel flap (below).

I’m not going to explain the how’s of the heel flap, just the basic stitch pattern for the EoP flap on a typical top-down sock.

Eye of Partridge Stitch

Divide the heel stitches according to your pattern.  I the case of a 64-stitch sock, work the heel flap on 32 stitches leaving the instep stitches on the other needle(s). I find it easier to work the heel flap on two dpns than circulars.

Row 1: (Right side) * Sl1, K1*, repeat across, ending with K1.
Row 2 and all even rows: Sl1, purl across row.
Row 3: Sl1, Sl1, * K1, Sl1,* repeat across row ending with K2.
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.

Repeat these four rows until ready to turn the heel, usually 32-33 rows.  This pretty knitting stitch offsets the slipped stitch every other row, which results in a diamond pattern.

One down

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…and one to go.

I’m talking about The Handmade Sock Society 2 pattern: Samphire.  I was having trouble keeping my stitch count correct so I finally added some lifelines and made it to the tip of the toe. 

The lace pattern wasn’t difficult, it was just my wandering mind.  I try to multitask when knitting and was listening to a book (Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal) when I got so wrapped up in the story that I lost track of my knitting.  My bad.

So Samphire sock #1 is finished and the second sock is ready for the lace panel.  I followed the pattern as written though I changed the heel flap to the partridge eye heel.  I like it better and think it wears well.

I love the color though it’s a bit dark for my eyes at night.  I should invest in a better light next to my knitting chair so I can see the stitches better.  The third sock pattern in this series will be out soon.  Hopefully, I can get this pair finished by then.

Needles at the ready!

My back had been acting up to the point that Mr. Aitch had to take me to the emergency room.  Excruciating pain radiating from my lower back to my toes.  It even hurt to breathe.  It was close to Memorial Day weekend so seeing my regular doctor wasn’t possible for a few days. Some days I couldn’t pick up my knitting. Things are looking up.  I’m on the mend now and taking each day at a time.