I think I'll change yarn and go up a needle size and knit a plain stockinette stitch sock. I like the yarn I was using, I just need a break from it.
Here are a few gratuitous frog shots.
As much as I didn't want to frog this sock and all my hard work go down the drain, I always like the look of curly newly frogged yarn.
I was wondering something. Does anyone know of a general rule when it comes to turning a heel. Like a formula for the beginning. All the patterns I looked at seemed to knit a little more than half the stitches and then knit 2 together turn Slip a stitch then knit back a smaller number like 5 or 7 - but I couldn't 
figure out what sort of percentages they were working with to get it right. I guess I can probably calculate the percentages or whatever, but I was just curious if there was already a basic formula out there? Does anyone know? Any other nerdy math people out there that think about this stuff?This is what I did on the frogged sock
Number of stitches on heel flap = 35
Half of 35 = 17.5
Knit 21 knit 2 together, knit 1, turn Slip 1 knit 9, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn slip 1 .... etc
Either I should have knit 7 instead of 9 or tried knitting 19 instead of 21.
I'm not sure which would have been better. I couldn't find a pattern that had 70 stitches in the sock. (I may not have looked super hard) I don't know if I'll stick with 70 on my next sock or not, but I would like to have a formula or rule that I could plug in the number of stitches and get the right numbers for turning the heel. Does anyone already have such a formula that they use?
7 comments:
I normally blindly follow the heel turn instructions given to me - the latest one was from Nancy Bush. I think you knit to the half-way point of the heel flap and then knit 2 st, ssk, k1, turn. Sl1, purl 5, p2tog, p1, turn.
Does that sound right?
OH NO! Well, I've had to do it before! It hurts...at first...then it just feels refreshing!
My favorite sock pattern is from the Knitters Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd. It has formulas for socks based on your gauge and desired size. I find it very useful. I just did a quick check, though, and it has formulas for 68 stitches and 72 stitches, nothing with 70. Good luck with your socks!
Oh no! Frogging sucks! I still say the yarn looks almost good enough to eat. Sorry I can't help on the sock knitting front. I am a novice sock knitter having only ever knit two pairs of baby socks.
Ooooh I feel your pain - frogging, but at least the photos are very artistic, that top one looks like a sea anemone - all curly and in gorgeous colours. I guess about now I would bury the yarn in a stash and leave it to reflect on the error of its' ways. May the next project be one of seamless ease and happy knittingness.
Oh that is sad, but wise decision, if it won't fit anybody why continue with it.
Oh no!!! Your poor sock... :-(
This happens to me a lot with socks; always too tight! [sighs]
So, I have come to a conclusion, that I systmatically have to go one size needle up than instructed, and it works (well, most of the time... LOL)
Right now, I am knitting a pair of socks for my Husband and I cast on 80 stitches (on size #2)! Pffff... That is a lot of stitches...
But I have never worked with size #0 double pointed needles. I bought them because I would love to give it a try, but I would have to cast on 100 stitches or so to make the right size for my Husband, I bet... LOL
Now, the heel is always the confusing part for me to understand... Aaarrgh! I usually try, frog, and try, and frog again, ... until I get what I want. But this is nervously challenging and I don't recommend this method unless you really have no other options... LOL
I have learned from The Yarn Harlot's book "Knitting Rules" that the easy way to turn a heel succesfully, is to make an equal number of stitches on either side of the worked group in the center, and to knit "a few" past the center stitch, than to knit 2 together, K1, and turn your work around (but you know the deal here, right?)The center group should measure about 1 inch (2 cm). I know... all about gauge again... Yikes! LOL
The number of stitches in the middles of the group determines how deep or shallow the heel will be. If you want a broad heel, add a few more to the middle, and if you want a narrow (or pointy) heels, make the center group smaller (I do that when I make up socks for my kids - or for myself because I need a deeper heel)
Well, I hope this helps... Good luck! I cannot wait to see how you are doing... :-)
Love and {{{HUGS}}}
Isa
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