Fibonacci Socks
I turned the heel on Alex’s first sock two nights ago. I may
have enough yarn left to make him a set of ankle-length socks, too.
Yesterday morning, I was wondering how I wanted to work the
leg. I remembered the Fibonacci sequence my mom told me about – her college
degree is in math, so it makes perfect sense that she’d be the one to introduce
me to this particular design ‘tool’. Apparently, this sequence provides its own
aesthetic quality. If you don’t already know what the Fibonacci sequence is,
here’s a short description from a non-math major: starting at 0 then 1, the two
numbers are added together to get the next number in the sequence. So, 0 + 1 =
1. The series is now 0, 1, 1. Add the
last two numbers together and include it in the sequence: 0, 1, 1, 2. Continue.
I extrapolated a ‘pattern’ to incorporate four consecutive numbers of the
sequence, so it would fit into the number of stitches I’m using on Alex’s socks
(14 on each needle or 56 total). Those four numbers are 1, 1, 2, and 3. I had
to skip the first number of the sequence, as it is 0. Or, I guess I could say I’m
technically using the first five numbers, but that’s splitting hairs. When I’m
knitting socks, I prefer the last stitches on each needle be knit stitches,
else the next dpn gets in the way when I attempt to purl; it slows me down and
irritates me. To make that work, and to end up with more knits than purls in
the sequence, the seven-stitch repeat is this: p1, k1, p2, k3. And around and
around I went. I attempted to photograph the sequence in the leg, but I think I
may have better luck capturing it once it’s on Alex’s foot. I may have to try
again sometime without the camera flash. Until then, this is all I can show. It’s
much more apparent in person.
As I started the leg, I worried that the sock circumference
was too large for Alex’s foot (he’s 10 yrs old). I glanced at the measurements
I took of his foot and double-checked the circumference with my handy-dandy
measuring tape. My notes said 7” circ., and the sock had a 7” circumference.
Ok, that satiated my worry a little. Something about the size was still nagging
me, though, so I did a quick fitting with his foot before he headed to school.
The sock was a tad snug, but went on his foot just fine. Ignoring that nagging
feeling, I continued work on the leg in the Fibonacci pattern.
And then it hit me: I re-measured the sock and took a closer
look at my notes of Alex’s measurements. While the circumference was 7”, the
foot length was 8” on the notepad. Ugh. I turned the heel so the foot would be
7” long, for some reason. No wonder the fit was snug. I spent a few minutes
pondering my next move. I could just continue, since I was nearly at the
bind-off point, then move on to the next sock. That would leave me with a pair
of socks to hand him that are snug right now in the Spring months. Would he
even be able to pull them on all the way in late Fall? Probably not. So, I went
with the second option: rip out the entire leg back to right before the heel
turn to add the much-needed length to the foot. Once I finished turning the
heel a second time and got going, I was determined to not stop for the day
until I had used all the ripped yarn. And that’s what I did.
At least I’m thrilled with Alex’s reaction during the
fittings: he’s excited because his hand-knit socks feel so good on his feet.
With a few washings, this yarn will soften up even more and he’ll be very happy
next fall. He’s determined to wear them as soon as I’m finished, but the temps
here on the Gulf Coast are already in the low 80s daily – he’s going to learn
the hard way just how well wool can insulate and hold in heat. He won’t take my
word for it, so I’ll let him figure it out on his own.
As I imagined, the second fitting with the sock at the proper length went much better. Now he’s impatient and asking me if the first sock is finished every time he sees it. After supper last night: “Is my sock finished?” Before bed last night: “Is my sock finished?” First thing this morning after the alarm clocks were silenced: “Is my sock finished yet?” No, Buddy, not quite yet. But soon! I'll bind off once the leg meets the toe when the sock is folded
Anna’s Oppo-Socks
I completed the finish-work on Anna’s Oppo-Socks. She loves
them, but they’re too warm right now. They’re a tad large, so they’ll still fit
when it cools down again in November.
Hand-Knit Sock Collection
As I continue knitting socks for practice and function, my
collection is growing. I pulled a pair of hand-knit socks out of my drawer to
take a closer look at the work. The socks were a gift from my mom that she
bought at her guild’s annual sale and were the only hand-knit pair I owned up
until about a month ago. She’s a weaver by hobby-trade, but appreciates
hand-made fiber arts of all kinds. Upon closer inspection of the socks she gave
me, I believe there is quite a bit of intarsia work throughout the sock: in the
toe-shaping, throughout the heel section, and near the top of the leg. I think
it’s intarsia, at least, but it could be a different technique. I’ve only
ventured as far as stripes and full-on color changes in my work. The most I’ve
ever ‘carried’ other yarn colors in my work was on a scarf. Nothing too
exciting, but I’ll dip my toe in that pool some day.
Here’s a photo of most of my work thusfar. One pair missing is Anna’s Little Arrowhead Lace socks (my 2nd pair). Also missing is Alex’s Fibonacci Socks, because there’s only a portion of one sock and it’s still on the needles, of course. The intarsia pair from Mom is the pair on the far right. The others in the photo are in order from first to most recent. The first pair was made using the Leisure Arts book and has the heel flap method that I don’t like as much as the short-row heel turn, along with the pointy toe. It’s the plain old starter sock from the I Can’t Believe I’m Knitting Socks book. Yawn. Second pair is my wool-blend Cameo Tree socks. Third pair is, of course, Anna’s Oppo-Socks. The collection is growing!
Our Roots Are Strong
I mentioned a few posts ago that I picked up a painting at
the last craft show for a very good friend of mine. She and I were able to get
together earlier this week, so I can now share a photo of the painting I gave
her. I’m so glad I took a picture of it, because I will always think of her
when I see it and any other depiction of a tree with strong roots. The thought
of strong roots is a significant one to her, which is why this painting was
right up her alley. Add to that the beautiful blues and greens along with the
pair of swings hanging from the lowest branch, and you get an idea of why this
was the perfect gift to her from me. Those swings seem to be hanging there
waiting for us to come occupy them for a few hours while we enjoy each other’s
company. Hand-painted by a local artist (Jeffrey Watt, I believe). She loved it
as much as I hoped she would!
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