Thursday, June 11, 2009

Holding My Feet To The Fire

As promised, I have actual knitting to talk about in this, and I even have pictures. Not only that, but it’s only been three days since my last post. I’m on a roll folks, I can feel it!

The Gas Flame Socks are done, and I’m very happy with them.

GasFlameFlash

The yarn did what many Socks That Rock skeins seem to do, which is produce one section of fairly even stripes, and another section with spirals and/or flashing. It drives some people nuts, but I didn’t mind it at all in this pattern.

GasFlameDone

They’re worked from the toe up, with short-row toes, gussets worked in a lovely purled panel, a short-row heel and a very clever heel flap (which completely eluded my photographic skills.)

GasFlameDetail

These socks were an interesting challenge to knit. The toes made me doubt my ability to count, and the twisted stitches combined with the cables made certain that I never got bored with them.

A word to the wise: twisted stitches eat yarn. This is how much I had leftover out of a 360 yard skein…

GasFlame11yds
11 Yards

Project Details
Pattern: Firestarter from Yarnissima
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight, colorway Rare Gems
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) toe to mid-leg, US 2.5 (3.0 mm) mid-leg to bind off, US 3 (3.25 mm) bind-off
Mods: none


If I knit this pattern again, I will:
  • Either pay attention to row gauge or stop the gusset increases several rounds sooner.
  • Stick with the smaller needle rather than switching so that the leg will be a bit snugger.
  • Continue with the cable pattern for a couple more repeats.

I really enjoyed working on these socks, both because of the pattern and because of the yarn. If you’re looking for a pattern to challenge you, this is definitely one to look at.

Next up:
The Ancient Woodlands Shawl will make an appearance.

11 comments:

marycatharine said...

There so bright and pretty! Yarnissima's patterns are so tempting, even though I don't really knit socks.

Susie said...

Love the color. Boy that was a close one on the yardage!

Donna Lee said...

I have that pattern printed out and ready to go but then I looked at it closely and decided it required too much thought. I'm saving it for when things settle down. I love it in the blue yarn you chose.

Anna said...

Lovely pattern and yarn! Although I prefer the fit of top-down socks, I do always worry about running out of yarn. You got a bit close there!

GenerallyGemma said...

They are lovely! I really need to get hold of some socks that rock yarn, to my shame I've never had a go with it!

Rose Red said...

I'm really keen to try this pattern - your experience will be very helpful!

Great colour too!

Anonymous said...

Hi Andrea,
I just discovered your blogspot while looking at Aragon Alpacas website.(I got to landscape paint at Ann's lovely ranch in April)

I can hear you speak as I read your prose--great writing! I don't think I appreciated how difficult it was for you to have to frog 18 rows of your cabled trees scarf. Yikes! It's sure looking good now, though.

Your impulsive drive north looked very fun. And what an incredible gift of chocolate and cashmere your web friend sent you! Nice to hear about such generosity.

What is the Anna's purse story?

See you on Monday night.
Sarah

Alwen said...

Gas flame, what a great name! When we have a good fire going in the soapstone stove we get nice little blue flames in there.

TinkingBell said...

Love the socks - such a pretty pattern - and the Vancouver trip looked such fun - well done for impulsiveness!

Nora said...

Great looking socks! Love the colors, too.

Kathleen Taylor said...

Did you knit faster as you got to the end of the socks? I find that if I worry about having enough yarn, my fingers think if I knit faster, I can outrun the remaining yarn.