Presenting:
Wolltrunken's "Rhubarb Patch" Socks
I wanted to wait for a sunny day to take a picture that wold do justice to this gorgeous yarn, Wollmeise in Rhabarber Sockenwolle (dark intensity). But the sun won't shine. Today is downright blustery and I am too excited too wait!
I will attempt to take a clever picture in the summer when my "heirloom rhubarb patch" is in all its splendor. Heirloom rhubarb patch? After my grandpa passed away and his house was going to be sold, my little brother took his tree spade and dug out four patches of my grandpa's beloved rhubarb (actually it was everyone's-it was something much loved in his garden when visiting him) and transplanted it at my dad's. Agreat central location since my brother and sister are his neighbors on each side and I live 1 mile away. Now the rhubarb is being enjoyed by a fourth generation. I'll have to be very stealthy in attempting this photo shoot. The habit is too take a stroll, pick a piece, wipe it off and eat it johnny on the spot. It may not be appreciated by some to have my feet rubbing around in the patch!
I first saw a similar pair of socks on Wolltrunken's Ravelry project page . I fell in love with them and knew that this is what my prized Rhabarber sockenwolle was destined for. Birgit , a sweet and seriously fast German knitter, generously offered to send me her pattern.
Yay!!!
A week or so later I excitedly ripped open the envelope to study my pattern. Except, it wasn't a pattern in the same sense as Fratello's, Nutkin's ,Diamondy or the Keyhole Cable socks . It was just a photo copy of a stitch pattern.
Have no fear Bandit! You can do this!
Of course they would be toe up--the smartest way to knit a sock. This would also allow me to use every precious inch of my yarn.
I started with my favorite cast on: Judy Beckers Magic Cast On (if you have not learned this cast on, try it again, it's wonderful) and off I went. But after a couple of inches of knitting, the foot it felt too loose. Hmmm...I consulted with Wolltrunken who admitted that, yes, her socks, too, were a little big. She had no advice for this novice.
I studied the stitch pattern. It is an 18 stitch repeat. There is just no way to alter it. I was stuck at four repeats giving me 72 stitches. That's big. I was also, foolishly stuck on the idea that they must be knit with 2.5mm. In hind site, I don't know why I was stubborn about this. I decided to do a k1 p1 rib on the sole. This ribbing did help pull in the sock a little. I started the heel a little earlier than I normally would have, hoping that this "shortness" would pull the sock tighter and make it fit better--without jeopardizing comfort (it worked...perfect fit). I continued up through the gusset with my happy 2.5's and then folowing of my own sock knitting rules, once I get through the gusset I must stop knitting the first sock and start the second sock and knit that to the same point, before I can continue up the leg (it works--I proudly declare that I have never once been inflicted with the dreaded SSS).
Grease Monkey saw me knitting these and insisted he loved them and wanted them for his own. "NO!" I screamed inside. "These are mine, all mine!" On the outside, sweet mom said, "Sure honey, I'd love to knit them for you." But guess what? The evil mom in me was quickly able to convince him that the Franz color would be so much better, especially after older, cruel brother insisted they didn't look manly. Yay! He gave up the Rhubarb Patch socks in exchange for the Snowboardin' Franzies that I posted about last month. Whew! That was close!
I approached the heel of sock number #2, I reconsidered the heel of sock #1, it was pretty loosey goosey. I didn't like it. I decided to knit heel #2 on 1.75. If you're familiar with toe up gusset and heels, you'll know that I am also knitting the instep or top of ankle, actually, in the stitch pattern at the same time. I was quite pleased to see that the 1.75mm didn't do any harm to the stitch pattern. I, of course, smiled as I ripped the heel and gusset from sock #1 and re knit it. Finally, I was on my way up both legs! I stayed with 1.75mm for a few inches and then switched back to 2.5mm for a better fit. The needle change wasn't even noticeable in the pattern.
I love to knit until the very last possible inch of yarn is left,it's like a sickness, but I shocked even myself and stopped short on this pair. I love this yarn and want to enjoy it year round. My hope is that I have just enough yarn left over for a pair of short socks for summer "workouts". (Workouts? Who do I think I'm foolin'?)
I obviously have uneven balls. Sound's like a medical problem, I know. I think it's my ball winder. It's wound a lot of balls. What's the life expectancy? It's getting cranky. Sometimes the center just flies right off! I sure do have trouble with it lately. I invested in one of those yardage meters and it doesn't always get the job done either. I question it's accuracy so much that I always wind and then rewind my ball before I then rewind it a third time to split it in half. It's feels like quite a process. I'm wondering how a digital scale works for consistent same sized balls.
I will say it again...this color of this yarn is gorgeous!
I hope to someday get my little Knitting Bandit hands on more of this same color.
I desperately want to knit with the elusive Merino lambsca booble das woolle bolle--
I don't know how to spell these German words (poor German school children, they must dread spelling tests)! I'd love to get the heavier wool or even the laceweight , but now that Wollmeise has become incredibly popular and unattainable I may be waiting a long time. Three cheers for stash!
Next up?
Finishing my Firestarters!
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