Nanner Sockgate

Ok. I have determined that the Socks from the Toe Up knit along on Ravelry hates me and I haven’t even finished my preliminary pair. It is not often that I decide my knitting hates me, but recently I have had a crap run of luck. The worst part is that it involves sock knitting – my sit down and get my head together knitting.

First, there was that whole Leyburn disaster that I will not mention. Then there is the Simple
Sock heel that I have not been able to turn. Simple Sock number one is fine, fits great. Now I am at the halfway point of Simple Sock number two and just not having a good time of it. Added to that the Nanner Sockgate and I am just about to scream.

After the whole Leyburn drama, I decided to do the preliminary pair for the Socks from the To Up Knit Along on Ravelry.

It all started with a simple enough sounding book Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy Johnson of Wendy Knits fame. I got the book as I am always on the prowl for new ideas for knitting socks. I was not disappointed and liked about 90 – 95% of the socks in the book. My usual is around 50%. So, as motivation for both diminishing my stash and knitting the patterns in the book, I joined the knit along on Ravelry.

As practice for some of the techniques in the book, I downloaded the free pattern Nanner Socks and started knitting. The pattern itself was pleasingly interesting. First, you begin with the toe. Once getting that bit of construction completed it was on to the fun part. On the instep you knit the constructed ribbed lace pattern with the sole being plain stockinette. Then I got to the heel. The heel was not a construction I was familiar with, so that made for more interesting knitting.

It was at this point in the project that my doubts sprung fully formed into my consciousness. The central theme was that of bias and the sock.

Brain: “Hmmm, the Eyeball twins are telling me that this sock is really skewed off center.” Me: “The Eyeballs aren’t the most reliable witnesses and I have the scars to prove it.”

Brain: “You know, perhaps it would be a good idea to put the sock on to make sure it is long enough before you start the leg.” Me: “That seems logical enough” Brain: devious, maniacal laughter

I put the sock on. First, it took quite a bit of futzing because the sock was in deed biasing strongly to the right (making it about the only thing in my house that does), but I wasn’t about to tell Brain that, not that I am very good at hiding things from Brain. Brain seems to have this uncanny ability to always know what is going on.

What was more alarming, however, was the fact the sock heel protruded like some Frankensteinian growth from the side of my foot. Stupid Brain and Eyeballs. Let’s just say that the phrase, “to the ball winder with you” is becoming more frequent in my house.

I am now trying the Waterfall sock pattern. We shall see.

The bad juju has been knit into the yarn because my first attempt was a bit large. At least I decided to test it just above the toe shaping, so I was able to correct the problem. Then there was the whole I-memorized-the-pattern-for-the-larger-size drama that also needed to be corrected.

Now if I can just get my positive sock knitting juju back, I'll be happy. How long should I wait before I perform a sockercism?