Godot? No. Heels? YES!
Look how much I’ve gotten done on my Sockapalooza pal’s socks!
![](http://www.saffronknits.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/dsc05130.JPG)
![](http://www.saffronknits.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/dsc05131.JPG)
I wanted to take pictures when I’d finished the toes, but I couldn’t seem to put the needles down long enough to take a picture!
Ok… let’s first talk about the yarn:
Crystal Palace Panda Cotton – Lacquer Red
![](http://www.saffronknits.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/dsc05116.JPG)
My first experience was not fun. I started out with US size 2 needles and let me tell ya … it’s was splitsville. Omigosh! I very quickly reached my frustration threshold. Finally, I told myself ‘Hey. This is supposed to be fun.’ And I was disappointed. I really wanted to make my pal some red socks. So I ripped it out and put it away. But for some reason… later that same day (it wasn’t a conscious decision), I picked up the yarn and my US size 3 and miraculously, much less splitting and I started having fun. It’s interesting how, when something goes wrong, a person blames his/herself (or the yarn) rather than thinking of other possible culprits (in this case, the size 2s).
I can’t say that I absolutely love working with this yarn, but I like do the soft fabric it creates. Since I’ve never knit with cotton before, it’s definitely a learning experience, which seems to happen often in the world of knitting. I was a little nervous about using a fiber I hadn’t used before and whether or not it would show off the pattern well.
And speaking of the pattern: (nice segue, hm?
)
I had a hard time choosing the pattern. Not from lack of choices, but rather, lack of confidence. I may have been knitting for a year, but trying something new still ’cause some trepidation. I almost chose a very basic purl/knit stitch pattern … but I was drawn to ‘Crosshatch Lace’ from ‘More Sensational Knitted Socks‘ and no matter what other stitch patterns I looked at, I kept going back to that one. But after calculating how many stitches I need for my gauge, the ‘Crosshatch Lace’ had too few so I noticed ‘Scrolls’ from the same book. It’s very similar to ‘Crosshatch Lace’. Finally, I took a deep breath and dove into the ‘Scrolls’ pattern… and ya know what? I love it it. I actually giggled at seeing the pattern after completing the 14 rows of the pattern. (don’t laugh too hard at me … this is only the 2nd ever stitch pattern I’ve tried on socks!)
What’s next?
The heels. The short-row heels (Sherman style). *insert small groan* The heel is the bain of my existence.
Only sheer stubbornness and determination keep me trying but I know I’ll finally do it to my satisfaction one day. That day hasn’t happened yet … but I’m very close.
Finally, let’s mention the toe:
For some reason, I seemed to have forgotten the figure-eight cast-on toe because after three tries, it still wasn’t working … so I tried the Eastern cast-on from the Summer IK issue (I vehemently dislike their new layout, btw) and as it’s very similar to the figure-eight, I caught onto it quickly … but I still don’t love it, so when I cast on for my 2nd Amethyst sock, I went back the figure-eight toe and, because of my attempts at the Eastern cast-on, the figure-eight toe came out better than previously. Isn’t this a pretty toe?
![](http://www.saffronknits.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/dsc05134-1.JPG)
![](http://www.saffronknits.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/dsc05133-1.JPG)
and oops … I almost forgot to show you the finished Amethyst sock!
![](http://www.saffronknits.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/dsc05136.JPG)
Isn’t it purty? 8)
And if you’ve made it this far on my post, thank you! ![thanx.gif](http://www.saffronknits.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/thanx.gif)
Also, Marce, at the The Brownberry Chronicles, has started a very interesting knitting discussion. Stop by and see what it’s about!
Well, I guess that’s it for now. … except for this little teaser…
![](http://www.saffronknits.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/dsc05132.thumbnail.JPG)
(bigger image)
Take care and I hope you enjoy your weekend!