I started the Uptown Boot Socks from the Winter 2003 issue of Interweave Knits, and a few things have taken me by surprise.
First of all, am I just a huge ignoramous to not have anticipated my Socks that Rock skein of Foo Foo to self stripe? I had no idea it was a swirly striping yarn. Is all Socks that Rock self striping? Do tell.
Secondly, in all the pictures I’ve seen on the internet and in the pattern itself of these particular socks, nowhere have I seen a predominantly right slant. Sure, the right slant looks a bit stronger than the left slant, but in the pattern, it looks like the cabling makes a sort of criss-cross or honeycomb type texture, not right slanting swirlies. So, I have a sock with a left slanting, self striping color pattern, and a right slanting texture pattern. It’s a bit ridiculous.
Ok, it’s extremely ridiculous.
However, I’ve tried it on, and I think I like it anyway. Dunno. I’ve finished the first leg, and will start the second leg when I knit next.
I’m also thinking that I much prefer the feel of wonderful, soft Koigu to the kind of rough, superwash Socks That Rock. BUT, I’m willing to give them a wear and a wash before completely deciding. I’d love to hear any thoughts you have on the subject.
Clark’s still sick as a dog. He’s had a fever all weekend. I’m taking him into the doctor now, and I’ve been feeling yucky all day. Sinus headache, fatigue, the threatenings of a sore throat.
Great. Just what I need.
April 2nd, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Laura, I loooove your socks! The stripes look awesome … don’t fret the stripey thing is way cool 🙂
I’ve knit extensivley with STR and the GU. You’re right – they are different – no favourites for me, love ’em both. You may like the STR more after a wash or 2.
April 2nd, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Ooh, your poor baby! Sick babies are no fun either, especially when you’re sick yourself. Hope you all feel better soon!
As for the socks – I think they look awesome too… Maybe the different slants will be the new “in” look!
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:37 pm
I *love* the socks. It looks like you totally planned the slantiness to be the opposite of the stripiness. They look cook. I have seen several different pairs of STR and some seem to stripe and some not so much. So I don’t know if there is any rhyme or reason to it. I just balled up my first skein and am going to start with it in the next few days (I hope) Poor Clark! And poor mama! Do you have any elderberry extract? You should down a whole bunch of it before you get too sick for it to help. I always have some in the house and whenever I feel the icky coming on I drink a bunch and it really helps.
April 3rd, 2007 at 4:10 am
Very nice, it is an interesting effect.
Sometimes STR stripe, sometimes not, it’s a combination of stitch count, gauge, and pattern. Check out one of the sock club patterns to see how much it can vary from knitter to knitter.
April 3rd, 2007 at 10:40 am
Ohh, I’m so sorry to hear that Clark (and now you) are still feeling poorly! I hope the doctor can give you good news; it is Clark’s first birthday after all.
April 3rd, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Happy birthday buddy boy Clark!
April 10th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Those socks are really cool! I won’t mind the swirly-ness — haven’t seen that in most sock yarns either! 🙂