I actually started these socks a year ago this month. I got the feet, heels, and part of the cuff done, and then I started my ‘project’—my first colorwork. I grabbed an open right’s beginner’s cross-stitch (or maybe shrink bead) pattern, cut four balls of yarn, and got to work. (Experienced knitters are facepalming, here.)
I got nine rows in, dragging the Yarn B (Opal 6-strand) back to the beginning (while faithfully catching the floats going the correct way) before I stopped in pure, unadulterated frustration. I knew I was doing it wrong, and I could see the right way. But nine rows of 2mm needles, while Yarn A is Bearfoot (a yarn with 25% mohair!)… the impending frogging was intimidating. I put it off. For 11 months. I’m a bit ashamed.
The frogging wasn’t even that bad, nor was getting it back on the needles. The colorwork is two rows higher than before. Somehow I doubt it will be noticed.
I took the balls and Russian joined the ones from each sock (waste not, want not), and on a fresh round started the colorwork again, this time carrying the Opal around the entire sock, picking up the alternating strands as I went. This actually went faster, the outside work looked neater, and the inside! Well. I’m not worried about catching my toes anymore, and that was a major concern previously. I am a bit worried about tension, that I may not have left enough looseness to the strands, but I’ve been trying since the beginning, so that’s either 1) worry-worting, or 2) something to practice.
Those 27 rows of doubled yarn will keep that part of my leg much more warm! That’s a good bit of the point of colorwork.
I’m currently ‘catching’ strands simply by hooking them behind each other. I know that there are more involved, intricate ways, but this is doing the job well, and is quick and simple. Maybe the other versions don’t allow the strands to tighten up? That’s something I’ll have to look into for next time.
For now, does anyone have an idea of what the final design is?
Life & Fiber 