Sunday, July 21, 2013

Year of Projects 3: Caretta Caretta 02




SOCKTOPUS: Totally Vanilla • Kandahar • V Junkie • Kwalia • Farmer McGregor • Shur'tugal • 2luvcrew • Vorticity • Rumpled! • Crowley • Om Shanti • Mince Pie Mayhem • Hundred Acre Wood • De Stijl • Fiori di Zucca • Caretta Caretta • Spring Shoots

It feels like I'm finally starting to catch up. My first sock for Caretta Caretta is off the needles, and I'm well into the leg of the second sock. Barring anything unexpected, the pair should be finished by the end of the week.

When I pre-strung the beads for the first sock, I thought I'd just string lots and not worry about counting them. Boy did I regret that little shortcut when I was shunting the hundred or so extra beads along the working yarn through the heel, across the instep and down the foot of sock one! I've started sock two with exactly 120 beads and by the end of the leg every bead will have been incorporated. That's a much better plan. Even so, I'm still not a fan of pre-stringing beads - I doubt I'll do that again.

Fortunately the beads do not entirely disappear into the sock. In fact, they catch the light nicely when worn and are more obvious when the leg pattern is stretched out a bit. That being said a shinier, lighter coloured bead would have been a better choice for a yarn with this much variegation. Considering what a nuisance it was to string them and how fiddly it was to position them within the pattern, you want them to make more of a statement than this!

The same 3x1 ribbing used in the cuff is repeated on top of the toe area. I had my doubts about a patterned toe, but it's a pretty plain pattern and it's kinda cute. I'd do that again.

The next pattern in line is Spring Shoots. The foot is knit as a closed tube and then you slice open your knitting to add an "afterthought leg" as inspired by Cat Bordhi. I'm trying to decide about a yarn for this  - something light coloured so that I can see my stitches easily when cutting and picking up stitches and something with subtle variegation so that the pattern shines through. I'd also like to use a yarn from one of the many sponsors of the KAL. Hmmm, what to pick?! I guess we'll find out next week!


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the sock and well done for bearing with those beads I know pre stringing them was a nusiance and hope the second sock flies off the needles. Spring Shoots looks like an interesting pattern, the heel is different to other socks you've done is it ? Looking forward to seeing what yarn you do decide on.

cleancup said...

that's one very pretty sock! how do the beads feel when you wear it? do they leave little indentations on your shin?

Marie/Underground Crafter said...

You are very brave for tackling all of those pre-strung beads. The socks are lovely, though!

MagicalJane said...

Impressive use of beads!

Sandy said...

How do you keep your beads from hitting in places that would be uncomfortable on the foot? Love the colors!

Stefanie said...

You really are challenging yourself with these shock patterns. It's so cool!

Ylva said...

The ribbing on the toes looks really cute! I'm impressed with the socks in general, very pretty :)

Unknown said...

Very pretty socks, I love the week surprise beads!

Carolina22 said...

I don't think I'd have the patience to deal with the beads so very impressed with your work! As always it's beautiful. Love the colors and can't wait to see what you choose for your next project :)

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Very pretty!

Emma (GirlAnachronismE) said...

Looking great, and I can definitely see the beads now! I like the colour of the beads with the yarn, it's subtle but noticable

Elisabeth Andrée said...

Love your sock and it must be nice to see those little sparkles:)
I would love to see a sort of calendar with an overview of the socks you made.

katie metzroth said...

well, the beads look cool even if they were a pain. :)

Unknown said...

Looks great! I don't like working with beads and am always impressed by people who do!