11/11/08: This is my November Sockdown entry for Sock Knitters Anonymous and my second attempt at knitting socks for my sister’s birthday. I hope these go better than the first socks. Maybe the fact that the pattern and my sister’s name are the same (if you forget the ‘h’) will be good luck. Serendipity!

I changed the pattern repeat a bit. Instead of knitting 8 plain rows between the slip-stitch pattern rows, I knitted 6 after the cuff and then 3 in-between after that. I think it looks better with my yarn this way.

Now I just hope that the pattern doesn’t get all weird after the gusset…

12/25/08: Yesterday my sister asked where in the heck her socks are. So, I guess that means I need to work on them.

I’m past the heel flap and working on the gusset, but it started to pool strangely and I got cranky with it. It’s not as ugly as my first attempt at the sock, but I’m still not thrilled with it.

When I asked for advice on the SKA group several weeks ago, cc99 suggested I try a Strong heel like the one used on Lace Socks, Show-off Stranded Socks, and Crosshatch Lace Socks because it helps a lot with pooling. So, I’m going to rip back to the beginning of the leg and give it a shot. I’m just working up the patience and brain power to try a new technique.

12/27/08: Well, I ripped out the gusset and heel, figured out where I was in the pattern, and started over with the Strong heel. So far, it’s not as scary as I thought it would be. But, then again, I’m not that far into it… so I reserve the right to change my mind.

12/29/08: First sock finished!

And I really like how the Strong heel worked out. It’s just a series of increases at the gusset (I increased until there were 12 extra stitches at each side of the heel flap), and then a heel turn just like you’d do with a heel flap (only with more stitches). It’s pretty nifty and I’m sure I’ll use it again with other projects.

12/31/08: Finished! And just in the nick of time for the Sockdown. Whew!

I hope my sister likes them. I think they came out great… I wish they were mine!

(The feet in the photos are mine… that’s why they look big. I wear a 7 and my sister wears a 9)