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You never know where the yarn will lead you.
Designer's Corner, March Kit Questions | March 23, 2008
Hi, I’m JC, and I hope y’all like the Leafling pattern in this month’s kit. It’s another example of a design that ended up a good distance from where it began.In this case, it all began with a stitch pattern that caught my eye: a simple chevron pattern with a columns of purl dots. Hmm, I thought. A rib pattern like that would work well for socks. In Socks that Rock, of course.So I played around with the pattern on paper, charting out a bunch of variations–I tend to do that a lot–then swatched a few of them. As I was swatching, it dawned on me: why not arrange the decreases into feathers or leaves, rather than a plain chevron?More charting and swatching: oh, yeah, I liked that that variation. But instead of a rib that went all the way around the leg and all the way across the instep, how about just one panel running the length of the sock?Bingo, that’s what it had to be. Chart out a slick way of switching from a matching rib to the main pattern, cast on, and away we go.But what kind of heel? Usually I like flap-and-gusset heels, but I’d just finished reading Cat Bordhi’s New Pathways for Sock Knitters, so naturally I had to try a gusset-and-flap heel instead, with the gusset increases flowing from the leaf pattern. Sweet! Bonus: getting the heel stitch to cup all the way around the heel, for durability and cush padding.So the Leafling socks were a fun designing adventure. Hope y’all find them a fun knitting adventure!-JC
once upon a time
Designer's Corner, Notorious Sock Knitters | February 27, 2008
there was a yarn. it was sent to me by the lovely tina. it was meant to be used for a sock which was named “clueless #1″. but alas, the yarn did not want to be THAT sock. it striped! it fought with the pattern. “no, don’t make me”, it screamed!
so, stripey yarn, what do you want to be when you grow up? you need to be something special. the more i looked at the stripes, the more i thought that it would be fun to “play” with the stripes. maybe a simple lace to make the stripes go zig-zag. who wants plain stripes when you can have wild, fun stripes?! i found a simple lace and used the stripey yarn. YES! “serendipity” was born.
original “serendipity”
“serendipity” was originally knit with a heel flap and gusset (because i am that kind of gal) and a wedge toe. but the sock lost its cute stripyness over the gusset area. what to do?! ah, the voices in my head said, “short row heel”. yes, that will work. then i looked at the wedge toe. it was “ok” but kind of plain compared to all the fun striping on the foot. the little voices popped up again. ” how about a cute little star toe? ” why! it even looks like a little “bellybutton”! 
original wedge toe on left; cute little bellybutton toe on right
after that, i sent my little baby to tina who worked her color magic on some yarn. i didn’t know what colors tina was going to use or what the colorway would be called. i waited but didn’t hear from tina in like forever (ok, maybe it was 2 months, anyways it seemed like forever). “tina, the kit! tell me about the kit!” i saw the final product in the early weeks of january. be still, my heart! tina had used chinese new years for inspiration! “dragon dance” and ” serendipity”! it was meant to be.
i have enjoyed following your adventures through rockin’ sock club land. and i am thrilled to pieces when i see your pictures of “serendipity” and your lovely comments.
p.s. i know a lot of you were skeptical about combining lace and stripes. yes, the lace is hidden by the stripes but the purpose of “serendipity” was to play with the stripes; not the lace.
…and yes, i am of chinese heritage! gung hay fat choy! may the new year bring you good health, prosperity, happiness, and all kinds of fibery goodness!
designer’s corner
Designer's Corner | January 29, 2008
hello, rockin’ sockers!
my name is adrienne and i am a sockaholic! ahh, anyone else here with that problem? yeah?! i think i must be in the right place. now that i have properly introduced myself, i can get on with the rest of the post.
first, i am so excited to be posting under this heading. how excited, you might ask. well, imagine your excitement at seeing a bmfa rockin’ sock club package on your doorsteps. i have been there and it is VERY exciting…happy dancing all around!!! when tina wrote that she wanted to use my design for the sock club, it was HAPPY DANCING ALL AROUND CLOUD 9, 10, AND 11!!!!!!!!! and i am still dancing.
it has been a little nerve-racking but very fun following the landing of the packages around the world (kind of mind boggling when you think about it) and reading your reactions to both the yarn and the pattern. i am happy (maybe “relieved” is a better word) that most of you posting have liked the pattern. hopefully, some of you will really love the pattern. yeah! it’s an ego thing. lol!
i love playing with tina’s colorways (who doesn’t) and my stitch pattern books. i love lace and cables, especially when they are together! and i love it when i finally find a pattern that makes “magic” with the yarn’s colors.
i am a one sock at a time magic looper who may knit both socks at the same time on two separate circs. i have tried 2 socks on 2 circs but really did not enjoy the knit. my preference is for cuff down, heel flap/gusset, and wedge toe.
i cannot believe that some of you have already finished your socks. i haven’t start my own personal pair yet.
welcome to my first (and hopefully not last) contribution to the rockin’ sock club! i hope it brings you fun and happiness. (i love you, tina!)
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