Madeline Tosh in Mansfield's Garden Party. 
Here it is caked up and ready to make the pattern, by the book from The Sock Project. You may be aware that I rarely if ever follow a pattern but that is the way I am approaching this project so that I am semi-assured it will turn out.
And here is the size difference of my normal sock compared to the one from the pattern (minus my gauge mistakes.) The Fleegle Heel sock foot measures 9.75" in length and my blue sock is like 7.5" long.
I've cast on 56 stitches and am using the Turkish cast-on which starts at the toe. This is relatively new to me, but already it has proved to be the easiest cast on ever. The toe was formed using yarn over increases, which is also new to me for socks and it is just wonderful and almost invisible. FYI, my usual cast on is 48 stitches so this will be quite a bit larger. Size 2 Addi 24" circulars, using Magin Loop technique.
Here is the Fleegle heel which is triangular and quite an ingenious design. Nothing tricky, easily memorized and quite fast to knit. And no Kitchener stitch in the whole sock!
After knitting the heel I could try on the sock.
O dear.
At least two inches too long. I followed the directions exactly, with the minor modification of using a size 2 instead of a size 1 needle thus changing the gauge. But, but, but...it fits everywhere but the length.
(I must say that the pattern was wonderfully written and illustrated, and my goofs are simply my own.)
There is a solution of course which is one of the things I love about knitting. Rip out the heel and then rip away at least 1.5" off the foot and knit the heel again.
Second try. Much better.
So much for following the measurements in the book. When the heel is finished, it's just the leg left to knit and I went for a 7" ribbed cuff.
Here's the finished pair. Lovely yarn to knit, just as smooth on the needles as one would want. Yay! I'm glad I got this yarn at the estate sale otherwise I might never have purchased it full price.
And a close up of the Fleegle heel. I would make these socks again, and use fewer stitches and they would fit me better. I will no doubt offer these for sale come the autumn when this sock project nears the end.
And here is the size difference of my normal sock compared to the one from the pattern (minus my gauge mistakes.) The Fleegle Heel sock foot measures 9.75" in length and my blue sock is like 7.5" long. 
fantastic, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo envious of your talents.
ReplyDeleteLove the colour in these socks, they'll be a joy to wear.
ReplyDeleteI say treat yourself to this lucsious yarn every once in a while, even at full price :-)
ReplyDeleteHave you ever made socks in 100% wool before, Melody? How did they wear for you? The only pair I made in 100% wool (no added nylon) they lasted about one hour before holes wore through the heels! The yarn was from Knit Picks and described as for making socks. I wrote to them and told them they shouldn't tell people to use that yarn for socks because they will get holes shortly after wearing them. Sock yarn meant for socks always has about 25% nylon mixed into the wool fiber for added strength and I even add more nylon using Wooly Nylon thread held together with the sock yarn when I knit the heel and toe area as those are the 2 places most likely to wear on socks. My socks last for years if there is nylon in the wool. Knit Picks refunded me for the yarn, but it took me many, many hours to knit the pair, adding cables on the socks too, which ended up being a waste of time. Lesson learned about never using 100% wool for socks. I didn't know how to redo the heels and toes so to me the socks were useless. Just because it is Fingering/Sock weight doesn't mean socks can be made out of it as there are lots of sweaters, and hats that can be made from 100% wool of that weight. So while the socks are gorgeous, best not to sell them unless you have had good results with using 100% wool socks or the buyer could end up with holes within a few hours of wearing them, so FYI that is something to think about before you sell them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Daryl, and I agree about the yarn needing to be a blend of nylon and wool. I have a lot of wooly nylon in my sewing room which now I could finally use thanks to your suggestion!!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see you knitting again! Love your yarn and new experiments!
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