I alluded to the fact about a month ago that I am suspicious that Goldilocks and I are twins separated at birth. Her issue may be with porridge and chairs and beds, and mine with socks, but otherwise we are simpatico.
As an example:
The facts:
The sock yarn: STR in Scottish Highlands.
The needles: Addi Turbos
The pattern: RPM.
The skills: adequate.
The conclusion: UGLY!
Everything that could have gone wrong with this sock has gone wrong. The stripes are wonky (again; this is the second time I have tried to knit this skein; didn’t like the stripping the first time either), the short-row heel marginal (though, in my own defense, it is my first wrap-and-turn short-row heel; got to say: not a fan) the ribbing too tight and the leg too loose. Somewhere along the line I ended up with several breaks in the yarn along one side of the ball. Only thing I can figure is I stuffed it into my knitting bag on top of a partially open pair of scissors, because it was unbroken when I wound it from the skein.
But because this is about the tenth (no exaggeration here folks, though I will spare you the photographic proof, as it would likely prove too painful for both of us) attempt at knitting a decent pair of socks, I persevered. Shouldn’t have, I know, but sometimes (as in always) we have to learn from our own mistakes.
It’s not all bad Chez Stressreaction. I have put this monstrosity aside (I can hear your sighs of relief) and have found a pattern/yarn combo that seems to be working, and am over half way through the second sock. So maybe the curse has been lifted, or the spell broken, or the Karmic debt paid. Soon I should have something pretty to show you.
In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed for me. The ones you don’t need for your own knitting that is.
Comments (12)
I have to say I'm not crazy about that yarn and pattern together, either.
Posted by Carole | January 11, 2008 2:59 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 14:59
If you don't love a project, don't knit it, is my philosophy. I think you're right, RPM doesn't suit that yarn. I wonder what does? How about something lacy to break up those bold stripes, or something undulating, like Jaywalkers, to really make them pop? The colourway really does remind me of the Scottish Highlands; it has the purple of the heather, the yellow and green of the moors and hillsides, and even the blue waters of the Lochs. Now, I'll take the High Road and .....
Sorry. Got a bit carried away there!
Posted by Mandella | January 11, 2008 3:07 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 15:07
I second Carole's vote - whole heartedly!
Posted by Kat | January 11, 2008 3:23 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 15:23
Oh the Horror! Cast it aside and move ot that which works:)
Posted by Marisol | January 11, 2008 4:04 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 16:04
you know the best pattern for STR (imho) is Monkey socks but i must admit that i knit a pair in Scottish Highlands and they sit, forlorn at the back of the drawer. i think it looks beautiful in a skein but is one of those colorways not meant to be knit up.
Posted by amanda | January 11, 2008 7:37 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 19:37
Hey Leah, your instincts are dead on....listen to them. If you would like, I will share one of my patterns with you. I almost never knit the same pair of socks twice, but I have a couple of patterns that I have knit multiple times and will again....and they always come out Just Right.
Posted by Leah | January 11, 2008 11:27 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 23:27
Yeah, I kind of agree with Carole. Don't waste your time with a yucky yarn/pattern combination. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you :)!
Posted by Lisa | January 12, 2008 6:24 AM
Posted on January 12, 2008 06:24
I have to agree with everyone, that yarn and pattern just don't work well at all! =) I used to have that same color but I sold it, I had a feeling I was just never going to be happy with it.
Posted by keri | January 12, 2008 6:02 PM
Posted on January 12, 2008 18:02
must cast my vote in with the others.. best to quit when it just isn't going right - that yarn& pattern combo is kinda "unusual" -
so sorry that you had so many tries at it (I guess this means the yarn is good and sturdy tho??)
Hope the newest combo works out great!
Posted by Teyani | January 14, 2008 12:08 AM
Posted on January 14, 2008 00:08
I tried to figure out which fingers I don't use for knitting and I think it will be easier cross my toes instead.
Posted by Emily | January 14, 2008 12:01 PM
Posted on January 14, 2008 12:01
Maybe you cut the yarn when sleep-walking so you would be able to move on to another project.
Posted by Karen | January 15, 2008 8:51 AM
Posted on January 15, 2008 08:51
I think it's interesting how different the colors look on the leg and then on the heel. Weird that a short row heel can change the lay of the colors so much.
Posted by Cheryl | January 16, 2008 12:47 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 12:47