Sidestream Socks

I knit one of the learning socks from New Pathways 6 months ago, but I just now got around to making a "real" pair. I am entranced with the Sidestream architecture, which increases cunningly up the foot and has a heel flap that does not require picking up stitches. I normally knit a flap heel with slipped stitches, but this one has a slipped-stitch heel turn, as well - genius. The resulting heel is very cushy. I ran extra yarn through the slipped-stitch columns on the inside of the sock for added strength (and more cushiness).

Normally I hate toe-up socks, but the figure 8 cast-on and whirlpool toe work beautifully.

The yarn is Wollmeise in colorway "pillars of fire."

I enjoyed knitting these so much that I immediately cast on for another pair!

Mountain Foxglove

Or maybe I should call it Foxglove Tango? It's a Foxglove construction knitted with Bearfoot by Mountain Colors, in the colorway "Mountain Tango." I used the Master Numbers and decided I'd make increases one stitch from each edge on the sole stitches, making it look much like a traditional sock construction. Markers were not necessary. I didn't fiddle with Cat's numbers at all, and this socks fits perfectly. The second sock is under way, no SSS on this pair.

To The Brim!

Full, that is. Our kal has 100 knitters. And that's just here on Blogger--Ravelry is 1200+ !!! Holy yarn, Batman!

I will keep a mental note for any of you who still want to join. If the invites that are out there aren't answered in a week or so, I'll slot you in.

Thanks so much. Knit on!
--Amanda

Rushing Rivulet

So here they are, and I'm very pleased. Same yarn as Master Riverbed (Sheep Shop #3), same numbers, but I used a 2.75 mm needle rather than the 3.0mm I used on the first ones. These are snug enough for my liking. Now I think I'm headed for a Foxglove before I come back to do Clematis Vine.

Toe Up Cast on and the Video

I finished the first of my New Pathway socks, Sunrise with the Sidestream architecture. It was so much fun to make. I am actually knitting it on 2 US size 4 circs with Cascade 20! Yes, the first sock went fast. I started it as a knitalong at my LYS so had lots of help with the cast on.

Now I sit here on my couch this sunny Sunday in Northern California watching the videos of Cat doing the Judy Becker Magic Cast on.

I am going to give it a go shortly and then get moving on the 2nd sock. I must say, this first sock caused me to learn so much. For those of you out there who do not think you can tackle these socks and different techniques, let me say that You Can. Step 1 is to read the first few pages of the book. Then it is good to see what new things you want to learn with the first sock. For me, it was knitting on 2 circs, toe up with magic cast on, short row heel and the Elizabeth Zimmerman sewn cast off. Quite a list of new things but taken one at a time (which you do with these patterns), I got them done. 

Next is to watch the videos, they were a real find for me was . Once I saw them, it was smooth sailing.  Then pick a sock. 

The thing that is so cool about the Sidestream is just that, it is on the one side. Now I have to pay attention to make sure I know which foot I did first and then follow the other foot directions. Whew, another new thing!

Also, I decided to jump around the book and try the designs as they catch my fancy. Are other deciding to start at the beginning and go through each design?

Have a good Sunday everyone, rain or shine, it's a day for socks (or at least sock knitting). 

Riverbed - my first sock-itecture

I never liked making toe-up socks until I knitted this pair of socks. I'd rather decrease than increase, and don't like short-row toes and heels. I found that Cat's methods overcame both of these objections. I really enjoyed making this pair of socks, and I now have a second pair on the needles.

These are made with Sheep Shop Sheep #3, a wool and silk blend. I used 3.25 mm needles, at a gauge of 7 stitches per inch, and found that I'd prefer a more dense sock. I'm using the same numbers on a 2.75 mm needle the second time, getting 7.5 stitches per inch, and I'm much happier with the result.

Yes, there's really a pair, but one sock is at my LYS and unavailable for a portrait.

Anyone else want to join?

I know I have been quite a silent hostess while y'all have been knitting away out there, but I just wanted to say hello and what a fun group this is to watch. We're just about to max out out Blogger invites! Each blog is allowed 100 authors and we're at 85 right now with about 5 or 6 in the queue waiting for responses. So, that leaves about 10 spots, if anyone is still interested in joining . . . .
Drop me an email or leave a comment here.
Thanks!
--Amanda
amandaATthe-woodruffsDOTnet