I was wandering around the internet today, and found a great new resource; Heels by Number. Basically, she's created a chart where you can find (approximately) on her chart your stitch count, and she'll tell you how many you need for your heel, for various different kinds of heels.
This is really useful if you've in the process of modifying an existing sock pattern like I am right now. Isn't it great that I just stumbled across it, right when I need it? So, using myself as an example:
I'm knitting Hedgerow Socks. The initial pattern is written for about 8-8½ inches (20-22 cm) foot circumference and about 9½ inches (24 cm) in foot length, and recommends just going up or down a needle size to get the size you want. I really hate that with socks. I really think that the drape of the material is really important, and you lose that when you start messing with gauge. With socks, I would much rather just cast on more or less stitches to get the right size. This introduces problems when you get to the shaping of the heel, not so much with the toe.
Hedgerow starts with a cast on of 66 stitches. I did my gauge swatch, measured the desired foot which has a circumference of 9 inches, and did the math to learn that I needed to cast on around 78 stitches. I had to pick a cast on that worked with the stitch pattern, which is worked over 6 stitches. After making sure 78 is divisible by 6 (it is!), I cast on and made my happy way down the leg of the sock. Since all the measurements are for length up until the heel, I didn't worry that my stitch count was so much larger than the original pattern.
Well, I'm almost to the heel and realizing that I didn't have a plan for my altered stitch count. Woops. But wait! This chart may hold the key. I think I like the look of the round heel, and that may be the way to go. If this fails, I can always fall back on the flap heel that's in the 9 to 5 sock pattern which happens to have the exact stitch count I want anyway. XP Bear with me.
I just thought that this was pretty cool, and wanted to share my find. I'll keep you all informed on the socks, since I think I might be able to start the heel today or tomorrow. Cheers!
~ Elizabeth
I finished a hat for me yesterday! It's made from a crazy chunky yarn that Ikkleknitter (ravlink) gave me at the knit-night on Tuesday. It knit up really fast, and was the perfect thing for a bit of hat-improvisation. I didn't have a pattern, I just sort of did it. This is a new thing for me; knitting without a pattern. It can be a lot of fun, if you're not adverse to a bit of ripping. I love it, and I can't wait for it to get colder so I can wear it!
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I found some great tutorials over at Math4Knitters; how to do the duplicate stitch over different kinds of knitting. She has tutorials (with photos!) on how to do it with Stockinette, Garter Stitch, and Ribbing. I know this might be old news to most of you, but I was really struggling with how to do it with ribbing. Now I know :)
Whenever I find some useful bit of information, I stick in my side bar under "Knitting Techniques". Check it out! There's some really great tips there.
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Look what came in the mail today! Interweave Knits: Winter 2008.
Sometimes I'm lukewarm when it comes to some Interweave Knits issues, but not so with this one. There's lots I like about this issue!
I'm really excited about Blooming Cardigan, even if it does look like it's in need of some waist shaping. Personally, I don't think a sweater should call for BOTH buttons and a sash, but that's just me.
But that's not all for cardigans. There's also Ropes and Picots Cardigan and Marilyn's Bedjacket!
I am in love with Anne Kuo Lukito's Pfeiffer Falls Hooded Scarf. It's a scarf, a hood, and even has pockets! This one looks like a lot of fun ^__^
I've been eyeing Climbing Vines for awhile now, and I'm so happy it's in this issue!
But I think I'm even more likely to knit something as simple as the Dainty Pinstripes Pullover. Which really looks very pretty.
I'm not big on vests or pullovers with close necks, and there's also a pattern for some cabled pillow covers that look pretty nice. I had heard early on some criticism for this issue, but I'm pretty excited about it.
