Socks and Yarn

I must admit that I chose wrong yarn for my Fishbone Gansey socks.

My FG socks are in this picture, trust me!

The trick is to use solid color yarn, not a yarn that has tons of different colors, in short sections. (duh)

All the hard work for following the (any) chart, tongue on cheek, with occasional blurry eye syndrome, with some coffee breaks, and skipping a line or two in the chart, would be wasted when using yarn that deliciously hides the incredibly handsome pattern.

The picture how the socks would look with different yarn is here.

My other socks are a different story. The yarn, was probably bought at Purple Purl, but I am not sure, since I have a great talent in losing the yarn labels and bills. Bills I lose easily, because I really don't want to be reminded how much I really spend on yarn. Hmph.

I will say that the yarn is soft wool, since it does not make my skin itch. If you didn't know, I am allergic to wool, when it's that rough kind, with real feeling of prickly thingies.

For these socks I used solid color, and the pattern shows up very clearly. These socks are my

Ravelympic Team Canada, Team WIPs - Dancing challenge. I have to get the finished before

the closing ceremonies in Vancouver. Otherwise I will be disqualified. Oh, I don't want that.

If I want striped socks, I will, from now on, use sock yarn that is meant to create striping pattern. I will not use fancy patterns with striping yarn, I swear.

It's OK to use (mildly) variegated yarns for complicated patterns, but I would suggest strongly to make a swatch first to see if the design shows with your choice of yarn, if it's not the same as recommended. It's not always possible to use designer's selected yarn. It might not be available everywhere in the world, or the price might not meet your budget requirements, or you just like your yarns better. It's up to you, but make that dang swatch first (I speak from experience for NOT making swatches).

I would also, from now on, read the pattern instructions first, before starting to knit. Once you get to the third pattern chart (if there is one), which I didn't notice when started, you better have clever attention span happening, otherwise you, just like me, will have some serious frogging ideas and bad words blurting out. (unless you are somewhat more organized and possess sharp eye sight, and are more keen to details, then this is not an advice for you.)(and experienced sock knitter, oh, almost forgot that one)

I will make sure that the pattern will keep me interested at least until the heel part. You can always omit the pattern for the foot part (yes, you can). I tend to think that the foot part might be hidden in the boot or shoe that is not a sandal type, but is more to the style of a running shoe. Not necessarily any fancy running shoe, but one that keeps your feet comfy. Also, when the sock is plain stockinette stitch it fits better into the shoe, instead of a bulky cable patterned foot part.

Of course all of the above is your own choice, yarns and patterns, striping or not. I am just saying what I have done to make my blood pressure to go up a notch.

Personally I will still do everything that I am not "supposed" to do, but that's just me.

Next socks that I'll make will be plain stockinette stitching throughout, except the ribbing for the opening, and I will use my wildest sock yarn that would not be good for a lace patterned socks.

I swear, I will not obey my own instructions.

I will not make any comments about toe up socks, because I have started two pairs, over a year ago, and stopped just before the gusset and/or heel part. I'm not scared to screw up the process, I just don't want to proceed. I like looking at unfinished objects (UFOs), they remind me of my home.