March 10, 2006

They call him Sherman,


Well here is proof that someone can overcome a short rows fear. After posting the last entry I saw Deborah's entry about another sort of heel I had yet to try. Isn't it spooky that she posted about this heel the exact same day I was ranting about short row heels? Well, it WORKS and it is a no wrap (except for 2sts), no yarn over heel. I have made it twice now and plan on making a solid color sock soon using this method for toes also. On printed socks I prefer a toe that ends like a regular toe, I just don't like the way a short row toe looks with self-striping yarn.

The sock recipe this time is: Regia Canadian color #4730 (aka Montreal colorway) 68sts, 3mm dpns, one sock has a 2X2 cuff, the other 1X1... (will fix that and lenghten the legs), sherman heel and star toe. No kitchener in the end and I really like the roundness of the star toe. Someday I'll write up a sock pattern that incorperates all my favorite things, like this time I realised that I really like not having to deal with a gusset. It's just plain knitting to heel then plain knitting to toe or, the other way around. The sherman heel can be done toe up or not, all to what you prefer. Love that! :) So from now on, plain simple stockinette socks for non-solid yarn and go wild... or not with solid color yarns.


The sherman heel, ain't it sweet? I just like it, it's easy peasy, I've done the 1st while the kids were away and the 2nd while they were running around. I'd say it's the only part you might need some concentration while knitting a plain sock. I hope it wears well although I might try adding some reinforcing thread another time out of pure paranoia from me part. ;) I believe that a short row heel uses less yarn so I get to make the leg longer which is great for me, I wear size 10US shoes so there's always a great fear of missing yarn at the end of the 2nd sock. Since I am packrat, it's easier for me too use up all the yarn for socks than to hold onto small leftovers that just keep on gathering dust. I can't bring myself to throw away yarn. ACK!

Yesterday, Carl went on a business trip for one-day only, he was in Toronto for work. It is so neat that he left home like usual and came back for supper like nothing happened, although he took the plane twice in that day. Anyway, he brought back to greatest thing.... the Toronto Star newspaper!!! LOL! I am a newspaper freak, I love to read news! Each morning I check the front pages of my local papers and some of other cities to see what's the top newsline of the day. Then I hop onto the 24heures and Metro where I can download weekday papers for free. Last I check Canoe throughout the day to see if anything big has happen, also they usually will have the top stories from the printed papers online. I have always had a fascination with news, when I was younger I used to read the classifieds for fun too. Not sure what it means, there's just something about getting your hands dirty while learning about the world. LOL! Nowadays we barely buy newspapers since I get most of what's being printed for free online. I rarely watch to news on television though as I find there are often too graphic for me and with the kids around.

Well enough writting for today, off to see what I shall cast on next. :)

Posted by Jo at March 10, 2006 02:33 PM
Comments
I really like those socks! The color is great. I'm going to have to try the sherman heel and that round toe! Thanks for the inspiration. Posted by: Shannon at March 10, 2006 07:46 PM
ooh, cool! I've just decided to knit my first pair of socks! :0 I still haven't decided what pattern I'm going to use though... Posted by: may at March 11, 2006 12:12 AM
Great socks! I love short row heels, personally. These days, now that I'm not in Toronto, I read the Toronto Star daily online -- it's free (though you have to register, but it doesn't cost anything). It has the day's paper, but it also updates all day with breaking stories etc. I feel like I'm still in touch with the world, even out here in the wilds of New Brunswick! :) Posted by: Aven at March 11, 2006 10:49 AM
Hurray! You did it! And wonderfully at that! Did you drop the stitch after you picked up in the decreases or did you keep it for the next decrease? (In other words, is it me who don't get it?) I'll have to try that toe method! Posted by: Deborah at March 11, 2006 11:34 AM
Great socks! I love the colour of them too. The heels look neat, though for myself (at least for now) I will probably stick with the heel I know best...someday maybe I'll venture out into something new LOL. Posted by: Shelley at March 11, 2006 02:44 PM
Lovey socks! I also prefer doing the short-row heel rather than doing the gusset/heel flap method. Check out this site there are lessons and charts using the Sherman method for doing the short row heel. http://hipknitism.com/classes/ You may also want to look a Lucy Neatby's book Cool Socks Warm Feet http://www.tradewindknits.com/cool_sock_bk.html There is a garter stitch version of the short row heel. Posted by: Paula at March 12, 2006 09:39 AM
Those are the cutest stripey socks, those toes are wonderful! I am going to try that heel for my next socks. Thanks for the inspiration. So far I've only knitted 2 pairs of socks, one was okay but the second was of bad yarn that I ended up throwing away in frustration just as they were almost done! Buying inferior yarn is never, ever worth it! Posted by: Lydia M. at March 12, 2006 03:12 PM
Those socks are lovely! And I've never seen those heels so thanks for bringing it to my attention! :) Posted by: Emy at March 12, 2006 10:22 PM
Hey. Just wanted to say hi. Next time you're in the neighborhood I hope you'll give me a call! Where'd you get that yarn? Not at the place up the street from me, right? Posted by: kate at March 14, 2006 12:22 AM
I love those socks! That's a great heel, too! Posted by: Kathy at March 14, 2006 02:32 PM