Unravelings

Winter Sport Socks 2.4

Once you've finished the leg of the sock, it is time to knit the heel flap.

Knit across the instep in pattern (this is needle #1).

Row 1: At the beginning of needle #2, slip the first stitch purlwise, *k1, sl 1 until one stitch remains. Slip this last stitch.

Row 2: Turn work, purl across heel.

Repeat these two rows until the heel is your desired length. The one for this sock is 17 rows. End after finishing a purl row.

Winter Sport Socks 2.5

Once you have finished the heel flap, it is turn to turn the heel. Here's how:

1. Knit center heel flap stitch, then knit two stitches past this stitch, SSK, k1, turn.

2. Sl1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn

3. Sl 1, knit to within 1 stitch away from the gap, ssk, k1, turn.

4. Sl 1, purl to within 1 stitch away from the gap, p2tog, p1, turn.

Repeat rows 3 and 4. On the lasr two rows you wlll have enough stitches to work the decreases but not the k1 or p1 that follows.

After you have turned the heel, you will have 19 stitches in one needle.

Winter Sports Socks 2.4

Now it is time to turn the heel on the socks.

You should have ended on an even numbered row; in my case this is row 144. Work across the front (instep) sock in pattern. Then begin heel flap on needles 2 and 3 (I consolidate these stitches on one needle after a few rows).

Heel flap Row 1: K2, sl 1 across heel flap, ending knit 2. Turn.

Row 2 and all even numbered rows: purl across.

Row 3 and all odd numbered rows: sl 1, ki across heel flap, ending sl1.

Continue in this manner until you have completed 32 rows, ready to begin a right side row.

Winter Sports Socks 2.3

The winter sports socks are progressing nicely. After you have finished the decreases on round 69, continue knitting in pattern (working the slip stitches every other round on needle #1) until you have completed 144 rounds (or length necessary, ending with an even number round).

Once you've finished both socks to this point, we'll begin work on the heel.

Winter Sports Socks 2.2

Now we must begin the decreases to take the stitch count down to the original number cast on (64). At round 53 (the fullest part of the calf), begin decreases:

Decrease round: k5, *sl1, k1 12x, end with k4 (I have these 33 stitches on 1 needle for front of leg), k16, k2tog, k5, ssk, k16 (after every increase round there are 2 less stitches divided on 2 needles for the back of leg).

Work the decrease round every 4th round, reducing the number of stitches knit before and after the decreases by 1 every decrease round (that is, rounds 53, 57, 61, 65 and 69). At the end of round 69 you should have 64 stitches (33 on first needle for front of leg, 31 divided on other two needles for back of leg).

Winter Sports Socks 2.1

I'm assuming the ribbing is done on both of your socks. If not, get them both done before you move on to this step.

This begins the leg portion of the sock. There will be padding along the shin area to protect the rider/skiier/winter sports enthusiast from pressure and pain along their shins, emanating the pressure of their boots. The calf will also be shaped to ensure a perfect fit. This pattern may seem a bit weird, but follow along:

Leg round 1: k5, *sl1, k1 12x, sl 1, end with k4 ( I have these 33 stitches on 1 needle for front of leg), k31 (these 31 stitches are divided on 2 needles for the back of leg).

Leg round 2: k

At the same time you wll be shaping the calf of the sock so it fits like, well, a great fitting sock.

Here's how to do that:

On leg rounds 21, 27, 33, 39 and 45 of the body of the leg, work as follows:

Increase round: k5, *sl1, k1 12x, end with k4 (I have these 33 stitches on 1 needle for front of leg), k13, m1, k5, m1, k13 (after every increase round there are 2 more stitches divided on 2 needles for the back of leg; round 21 will have 33 stitches for back of leg).

Continue in this manner until you have completed round 46. You will have 74 stitches, 33 on needle 1 and a total of 41 on needles 2 and 3.

Work even, keeping slip stitch pattern on needle 1, until you have completed round 52.

Winter Sports Socks 2.0

Ron's snowboard socks from 2005 have had it. They served him well but I can't darn them anymore without creating lumps and bumps that might cause blisters.

So it is on to version 2.0. I;m still going to use Brown Sheep Nature Spun Worsted, this time in a beautiful blue-purple called Sapphire. To make them easier to get on and off, I'm upping the stitch count to 64 stitches. Version 1.0 felted...which was good for warmth and wear, but made them hard to get on and off.

If you want to knit along, cast on 64 stitches using a size 4 needle. Work 2 inches of K1, P1 ribbing, which for me is 14 rounds. I like to make both socks at the same time so they match exactly, so make both ribbings now, each on separate set on needles.

Ron's snowboard pictures

Ron, my wonderful husband/photographer, took some great snowboarding shots last weekend. Here's one...check the album here for the rest.

In the wake of Katrina...

I haven't felt much like writing. I have been watching the news with increasing horror and sadness as the truth has set in and people are realizing what will have to be done to begin to rebuild their lives.

Jackson State Bank and Trust (where Ron works as a Customer Service Representative) has set up a fund for hurricane victims. All money collected will go to the Red Cross. If you haven't donated already, try to give a bit here.

And here's a heartbreaking clip I found on MSNBC. Pets are among the victims of Katrina as well:

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals picked up two cats and 15 dogs, including one Kennedy found tied up beneath the overpass next to an unopened can of dog food with a sign that read "Please take care of my dog, his name is Chucky."

I've worked a bit on the Snowboard Socks but ran into a few snags when Arazi the Wonder Dog decided he liked to eat bamboo knitting needles, especially when the were in a sock being knitted. I recovered all the dropped stitches and ripped back beyond the hole he chewed, and am progressing towards the toe. When they are done photos will be forthcoming and a PDF file of the pattern will be available here.

Ron's snowboard socks...on to the second one

The snowboard socks are progressing nicely. I've finished the leg on the first at 155 rounds, and taking my own advice, am knitting on the second of the pair before I jump into the heel. Funny how fast you forget what you did on the first one...this blog is great for keeping track of the pattern...if I forget what I did I can just look here.