designer’s corner

47 Responses to “designer’s corner”

On January 29th, 2008 at 7:37 am Angelia said:

Hi Adrienne. I LOVE your pattern!! I am almost finished with my 1st sock. I also knit socks using the Magic Loop method. This pattern is a really quick knit for me. It’s simple enough, but still interesting (I’m easily bored). Thank you so much!

On January 29th, 2008 at 8:24 am Ann Baker said:

Hi, Adrienne! I got my package yesterday, and have barely had time to open it, let alone finish a pair of socks??? Wow, some people are fast! I am really looking forward to getting started - the pattern looks intriguing and, as a sort-of-new sock knitter (finishing my first-ever pair any day now), challenging but not so difficult that I’ll throw down the needles in frustration. I’m so, so excited to be participating, and to have such a beautiful pattern to get me out of my comfort zone is a bonus!

On January 29th, 2008 at 9:16 am Wendy Larson said:

Adrienne - Your pattern is wonderful! I love it. I haven’t started it yet as I needed to buy more needles! I’m starting tonight and can not wait. I’ll keep you posted!!!

On January 29th, 2008 at 9:55 am Ruth said:

I am enjoying this pattern. Just really got into it last night and it moved so quickly. I am like a kid and like to see my pattern appear before my eyes.
I was not so keen on the colour when it arrived( I am not sure where to post the colour comments). I am not a red fan either. Don’t hate it..just would not choose it. I have to say I am liking the knitting the shades of red. I appreciate being given the opportunity to break out of my self imposed box.
I agree with Tina, I think red is a warming colour for a rainy Portland winter. I am feeling better already!!

On January 29th, 2008 at 4:05 pm Susan said:

I just turned the heel in the first sock. I have never made a heel quite like that, so it was a fun learning experience. I have also not knit much lace so this was a breakthrough and I am ready for more. For my socks, I use very very small circular bamboo needles and wooden DPNs. I had to special order the small circulars; they are like 9″ or something. Can no longer stand to use metal needles; too cold in the hand, but have never had a breakage problem even with very thin DPNs. Color is great, I wear a lot of red and orange so variation on those is good for me. I particularly like the way the heel stripes itself; that is super. Gotta go, almost time to knit.

On January 29th, 2008 at 7:53 pm Lucinda said:

I am loving the pattern. I was a bit skeptical about the heel. I had never done one like that before. So, I just went with the flow. Voila, it was perfect. It turned out just like the pics. Yippee. Thanks for doing something different. I love learning new stuff!!

On January 29th, 2008 at 8:57 pm Joann said:

After a few false starts I finally found size 0 needles and am ready to try again on the socks. My first couple of attempts, although I thought I’d done the guage properly, resulted in puddles not stripes. I’m finishing a baby blankie and when that’s done your socks are up.

On January 30th, 2008 at 4:25 am Kristen said:

Adrienne, I love the pattern and the yarn is beautiful. After knitting the cuff about 18 times over two days, I finally got the stripe only to have it pool once starting the pattern, sigh…I just can’t figure out how to keep the stripe. I’ve been knitting for 19 yrs, why can’t I get this right? Had the same problem this fall when knitting 3 pairs of rockin’ socks for Christmas gifts. I just let them pool, which was beautiful, but sometimes I want the stripe. Any suggestions? My gauge is correct, I’m a left-handed knitter, and I use 2 circs.

On January 30th, 2008 at 5:27 am adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

hi kristen,

there is a post from january 26 titled “january pattern question (currently on page which has some suggestions on just this issue. don’t worry about striping with the ribbing. a lot of folks seem to be getting a little pooling in the ribbing and then the stripes show up in the pattern. it is all a matter of how much yarn you are using for each row. ribbing uses a different amount than the pattern stitch. it might be as simple as knitting just a tad tighter or looser. i have sometimes managed to control pooling by doing that.

On January 30th, 2008 at 6:05 am Shelly Goering said:

With one exception (the Summer of Love lace socks from last year’s club), every pair of STR I’ve done has pooled and not striped. Each sock in the pair also pools differently. I knit the large size and generally “get gauge”. At first I was really disappointed that I couldn’t get stripes, but the more I have pooling the more I like it. It certainly makes each sock completely unique, which I guess is why I knit with handpainted yarn anyway!

On January 30th, 2008 at 6:08 am adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

how did i end up with a happy face with sunglasses? that’s pretty cool!!!!!! but i was trying to type page EIGHT!

On January 30th, 2008 at 6:58 am happystasher said:

I can honestly say your pattern was my favorite part of this month’s kit! I haven’t started it yet, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been wanting to do a heel like this for a while now so the timing is perfect.

As for trying to get striping over pooling, once when I was getting pooling I didn’t care for, I increased one stitch and that was enough to get it striping. I figure increasing one stitch or decreasing one stitch won’t change the fit, but it’s enough to get the colors to play differently. Just my 2 cents.

On January 30th, 2008 at 7:53 am adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

hi happystasher

it really doesn’t take much to change the way the colors knit out. maybe your experience will help someone else.

thank you for the nice compliment

On January 30th, 2008 at 10:34 am Kim Kissell said:

Adrienne,

I can’t find where anyone else has asked this question, which scares me. Am I the only one who doesn’t know what KO means. In the lace pattern, round 15, ko(1), repeat …… \

Help, I am stuck!

On January 30th, 2008 at 2:11 pm adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

hi kim

looks like you got the answer. actually, someone else did ask the question but i think it is WAY back a few days.

On January 30th, 2008 at 7:58 pm Knitter Kitter said:

Hi Adrienne!

This is my first year in the RSC, and when I got my package I was absolutely thrilled! Your pattern is wonderful and I can’t wait to knit them up! Thank you for sharing your pattern with us!

On January 30th, 2008 at 8:23 pm Leslie said:

In case I didn’t post this enough everywhere else, I LOVE your design, Adrienne! So much that it got pushed up before the Salish Sea socks (not that I don’t love those, but I’m afraid they will be a bit more “thinky” than I have time for right now…)! Besides, I loved the oolors and with the Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day coming up, it seemed more festive to knit red socks than blue!

On January 31st, 2008 at 3:37 pm Tara said:

Just another person wanting to post that I’m loving the pattern. I just finished sock #1 and I’m halfway through the leg on #2. I can’t wait to wear these. Thanks for making my 1st experience with STR a great one.

On February 1st, 2008 at 5:58 am Chrissie said:

I love the pattern, and it has a heel and toe that I haven’t tried before so I’m doing soemthing new. Hope to see more of your patterns in the future

On February 1st, 2008 at 4:27 pm Carolyn Little said:

Hi Adrienne,

I’m really enjoying your pattern! I love how the lace pattern creates a little hexagonal block effect.

This is my first time knitting a short row heel and I confess I’m struggling a bit. I have ripped and reknit it twice, and I keep coming up short on the number of stitches i need for the instep. Am I right in assuming that all of the 36 (largest size) stitches for the lace pattern in the foot should be on the INSTEP side of the wraps? (Actually I’m looking at the close up of your pattern and realizing the first lace pattern after the heel seems to dip a bit into the arch of the foot. Hmmm… maybe a little more experimenting is in order. Any clues you can provide would be helpful!!

On February 1st, 2008 at 4:33 pm adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

hi carolyn- you are actually suppose to be using 43 sts for the heel - there are 29 resting sts. if you follow the first two rows of the heel instructions, it will automatically recenter the “instep sts” for you. you are actually borrowing some of the instep sts to work the heel. look for the “heel help” post and there is one more post on the heel which i am trying to find again. also there is info on ravelry (socks that rawk group) if you are there.

On February 2nd, 2008 at 4:11 am rabbitsknit said:

Adrienne,

Finished the socks and they are beautiful (although I pool instead of stripe and my gauge is fine - go figure). This is one pattern that I will repeat. Thanks for the heel help the other day. I know better but just couldn’t make the math work. I really appreicate that you were there to talk me through it. That made all the difference in the world. Keep up the execellent work.

On February 2nd, 2008 at 5:47 am adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

rabbitknits,

you’re welcome. glad you like your socks. i think you might have gotten the pooling because you were knitting the large? it doesn’t take much to change the flow of color. ;(

i am looking forward to seeing this pattern knit in another yarn!

On February 2nd, 2008 at 10:51 am rabbitsknit said:

Iknit the medium. It happen last year too. Still, I am ok with it. I just know it happens. Now, lets just get our 10% off and let me go shopping. I have a list of yarn from BMFA that I want. I will reknit this pattern. Pictures to come.

On February 3rd, 2008 at 6:51 am Suzanne said:

Adrienne - I am surprised at how beautiful these socks are turning out. I just love the way the lace breaks up the stripes into little blocks. And I must say I am not a fan of red, but these are just lovely. Thank you Tina and Adrienne.

On February 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 am adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

suzanne

you are most welcome! happy to hear that you are enjoying the pattern. definitely warms my heart!

On February 5th, 2008 at 7:43 am rabbitsknit said:

Adrienne,
I am ripping out! Yep. I looked at others pictures and decided I can’t live with the pool so I am reknitting on zero’s. I am up to row five and I have stripes. I am excited (and crazy too) but then again, it will give me something to do until the mystery shawl pattern comes out.

On February 5th, 2008 at 8:22 am adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

and rabbitsknit; just think, you are getting twice the pleasure for your $$. i am a crazy person too. i prefer the stripes with this pattern. i have like 4 different mystery shawl/stole kal’s saved up that i haven’t knit yet. which mystery shawl are you waiting for?

On February 5th, 2008 at 8:55 am rabbitsknit said:

Goddessknits.com due to come out 2/16. ordered the yarn from yarndogs.com. Curious Creek Meri I think. That was last week and with the Super Bowl on Sunday (party @ my house and a lovely “springtime” cold, I am not sure if I am coming or going. And you are right, twice the fun for the money. Haha.

On February 5th, 2008 at 6:34 pm Meg said:

This is a fun pattern! I’m whippin’ through it, and the socks are gorgeous, but….

I’m hoping that this is okay with you, designer extraordinaire.

I have knit two cuffs and found that I like my socks a bit longer in the leg. In addition, I like a heftier, and stronger heel (although I’m really looking forward to the star heel). I have a pair of socks that I put in a merino and silk heel and toe, and I just love ‘em. The silk gives them a bit more wear. And the yarn I use is off white. (For sort of a “country” look).

I hope that you won’t mind. I’m excited to show them off on the blog, but I don’t want to offend anyone, with the adjustment of the pattern.

Thanks again, to you, and to Tina for lovely, lovely yarn with which to knit.
Cheers

On February 5th, 2008 at 7:29 pm adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

hi meg

these are your socks so please make any enhancements that make you happy. i like a slightly longer cuff too but i was trying to write a pattern that made sure that most people would have enough yarn to finish a pair. we have all sorts of feet to fit, you know.

i can’t wait to see your unique socks.

On February 6th, 2008 at 1:34 pm Tanya said:

Adrienne,

Your pattern is a joy!

Since I will definetley be knitting it again, I have a question about the heel & toe. Would it increase the life of the sock to make them thicker? Could I simply change the stitches on the heel to all “K” to create a garter stitch? I thought maybe you had considered this in your design and I’m wondering if there are hidden pitfalls Could I change the star toe to increase its thickness? Or, should I choose another toe altogether?
Thanks!!

On February 6th, 2008 at 2:19 pm adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

hi tanya

thank you for the nice compliment.

i don’t think that the heel or toe will wear out any sooner than any other heel or toe…unless you are especially hard on your socks on the back of the heel or your toes.

of course, you can change the heel to a garter stitch short row heel. i have never worn a pair so don’t know how comfy that would be. not sure if the wear is any better with that either. you can be my guinea pig

i think all toes wear pretty much the same. you just want to make them so they fit your foot.

On February 9th, 2008 at 12:57 am Tanya said:

Adrienne,
Thanks for the reply. I think the design of the toe & heel flow nicely with the patter of this sock. I love the how the strips make little boxes around the heel.

So… if there are no “wearing” issues I will keep it exactly the same.

On February 12th, 2008 at 8:53 am Patricia Dixon said:

Love your socks..they were fun knitting..How about some interesting heel patterns..cable..pattern..fairisle..they would be an adventure..even lace..

On February 12th, 2008 at 9:18 am adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

yes, i love having the pattern stitch continue onto the heel flap! (i wear clogs a lot). and i do love me my cables and lace! we will see if tina lets me play again!

On February 13th, 2008 at 2:28 pm Sharon in Salem, Mass said:

Adrienne,
I am really enjoying your design and the yarn. One reason I joined the club is that I like surprises. Another reason is that it encourages me to use colors and patterns I might not otherwise choose myself. When I opened my box, I know I had a huge smile on my face I was so excited by what was in it. Because I always have to be different I did make some slight changes to your pattern. I am a toe-up, 2 socks on 2 circs kind of girl. I love knitting socks this way. I did a whirlpool toe that I learned from Cat’s New Pathways book, and since I have done a lot of heels as you have in your pattern, I did a toe-up reinforced heel, also from Cat’s book. I used your lace pattern, of course, but since it is upside down, it looks like flames flickering on my feet and licking up my legs. I have some very interesting pooling, but I think the pooling enhances the design. I call these socks “Flame Dance”. I was hoping to have them finished by Valentine’s Day, but I like my socks a little longer and I needed more yarn. I am now impatiently waiting for USPS to bring my yarn from Oregon to Massachusetts.

On February 13th, 2008 at 3:19 pm adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

hi sharon

can’t wait to see your version of “serendipity”. let me know where i can see it when it is done!

On February 15th, 2008 at 12:47 pm Louise Thibodaux said:

I have finished the first, and am making progress on the second. I think these would be great “dino feet” for a small child– perhaps even as slippers. How would you go about figuring out how many stitches for a child’s foot? There must be some kind of “rule of thumb” (rule of toe??) to go by?

On February 17th, 2008 at 8:12 pm adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

measure the ball of the foot and ankle. figure out your gauge. multiply gauge by measurement and substract 5 to 10% for negative ease. the pattern is a multiple of 11 or 12 so you will need a multiple of one of those for your pattern.

On February 23rd, 2008 at 1:51 pm Elaine said:

Well, phooey. I am also getting pooling. And not just any pooling, but it’s actually doing a coiling thing around the leg! It started right away with the ribbing, and just continues around and down… it IS pooling, but it is also moving around, so it looks like a snake tail starting at the top of the ribbing and gets thicker as it goes down the leg.) I’m using 2.25mm Crystal Palace size 1 bamboos. I am getting gauge, and doing the medium size.

Do I have to go to the small size to get the pretty stripes? I’m thinking that must be it. My size 9.5 feet like negative ease in socks (I GUESS socks can have negative ease, because I always want slightly snugger socks than the patterns say to figure for my foot). But I know that there is NO way that the smallest size will fit my foot. After ripping and trying again, I am giving up, I think. Or starting over AGAIN, and going for the smallest size and giving these pretty socks as a gift to someone in the family with a smaller foot.

Were your sample socks done in the small size? Love the pattern, btw, just bummed that I can’t get stripes, since it seems like the pattern really wants them!

Knit on!

On February 23rd, 2008 at 2:57 pm Sid said:

I’m getting the spiral as well and I’m happier with it than the striping. It makes me think of a dragon’s tail wrapping around my sock with the little lace pattern like spiky scales on his tail.

I was getting the striping on the small size but it didn’t fit my leg so I went up to the medium and then I got a spiral.

On February 23rd, 2008 at 7:01 pm adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

elaine

the striping appears to be serendipitious too. i have seen stripes happen in small, medium, and large. you might want to try again with a slightly looser or tighter gauge and see where that takes you.

i am making the medium and knit the leg with 2.5mm and the foot with 2.25mm needles and am getting striping with both needles.

i think if you can knit a little tighter, that will make the color go around more of the sock so you might be able to force the yarn to stripe.

i know someone knit the large at a tighter gauge and got stripes too.

On February 28th, 2008 at 12:13 pm Lizzie said:

Adrienne —

Help! I’m still working with getting the heel to fit me. Your directions were clear — I think I followed them correctly — and the heel looked great. I’ve never done this “short row” heel before, just the heel flap. But the sock (size medium) which fits me great through the leg and the foot (I’m about halfway to the toes in my knitting) is really tight across the top of my foot (is this the instep?) where the heel and the top of the sock join back up.

It occurred to me that in heel-flap method, this area (around the bottom of the heel and up across the top of the foot) of the sock is wider than the rest of the sock, because I pick up all those “extra” stitches along the edge of the heel flap (and then by the time they are all decreased away, I’m knitting in the foot area.)

So, my question is (finally!) is there something I missed in the Serendipity directions for the heel, or, do “short row” heels just inherentally produce a tighter fit across the top of the foot at the heel join and, if so, do you have any suggestions on how to work in extra stitches to loosen it up, or do I just need to stick with the heel flap method, which I know fits my foot?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

On February 28th, 2008 at 6:33 pm adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

hi lizzie;

unfortunately, the short row heel, even worked at 60% of the sts, does not fit everyone; especially those who have a very high instep.

some people work a mini heel flap/gusset with the short row heel which gives you a little more depth in the “gusset” area.

others will work increase sts across the heel area before working the short row heel which also makes for a deeper cup for the heel.

the short row heel tends to be one of those heels that either works for you or doesn’t. if you google around, you can find other tricks that people use if they really want to make the
short row heel fit.

i personally find that the heel flap/gusset works better for me. i do need to use 60% for the short row heel to even get close to fitting my high instep. i did choose this particular heel for the sock because i wanted to maintain the pattern over the instep area otherwise, i would have gone with the heel flap/gusset.

does the short row heel fit other than the tightness over the foot?

On February 28th, 2008 at 6:48 pm Lizzie said:

Adrienne–

Thanks for responding — I wasn’t sure you’d even see my question so far down the response list!

I have done some “googling around” and did find a couple of suggestions (including the mini-gusset) about how to provide a little more ease over the instep when using the short-row heel. I really like the look of the heel as you designed it (and was so pleased with myself for getting it right!), so maybe I’ll give one of those modifications a try.

Other than the tightness over the foot, the short-row heel fits fine — I must just have a thick foot, at least near the heel.

Anyway, great pattern — I really like how the lace stitch looks!

On February 29th, 2008 at 5:24 pm adrienne in the bellybutton of california said:

hi lizzie

i am happy to hear that you like the pattern. enjoy!

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