Help! These socks refuse to rock!
I have a cold right now. (Yes, again. I’ve never had so many colds in a season before in my life. Ah…motherhood. I thought only moms with kids in daycare or school were subject to the Constant Crud. Apparently not.) Yesterday, this cold led me to crave comfort knitting. You know…the yarny equivalent of a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. (Because I can’t have the grilled cheese anymore. Sigh. I miss dairy.) Plain stockinette rolltop socks on two circs. I plucked some Socks that Rock from the stash, wound it up, cast on… That should have taken care of that.
‘Cept for one problem. Perfectly nice in both the skein and the center-pull ball, the yarn, in the Pebble Beach colorway, knit up…ugly. Okay, so ugly is in the eye of the beholder etc, but my eye beheld it as ugly.
It’s frogged now. Clearly I won’t be happy with this yarn in any st st pattern. It’s going to need something to break the colors up a bit. I’ve resisted the Jaywalker pattern so far because the idea of an inflexible sock doesn’t really appeal to me, but maybe it’s time to reconsider. Anyway, I’m not ready to give up on this colorway yet. I’m sure there’s a pattern that will flatter it. So I’m open to suggestions. What do you think?
I resisted the J-walker for soooo long but just cast on two weeks ago with some beautiful yarn I bought at Rhinebeck… I was so impressed for this very reason… It made the varigated yarn sooooo much better… I’ve never really liked varigated, and I agree with you on the picture, if you do the J you will fall in love with the yarn again! My foot is a Womens 8 and I needed to knit the larger size though, but once I got that all set I love the sock! It’s super easy too so you don’t have to keep looking at the pattern! I just posted b/c I smiled when I read the post b/c it was just like my experience.
Posted by: Melissa
Broadripple (at knitty — Blogger won’t let me cut/paste) is a superior (and antecedent) Jaywalker — and more flexible, too, thanks to the straight panels. Give it a shot.
Posted by: rams
We BOTH just blogged about help for socks?
Posted by: Rachael
I resisted the J-walker for soooo long but just cast on two weeks ago with some beautiful yarn I bought at Rhinebeck… I was so impressed for this very reason… It made the varigated yarn sooooo much better… I’ve never really liked varigated, and I agree with you on the picture, if you do the J you will fall in love with the yarn again! My foot is a Womens 8 and I needed to knit the larger size though, but once I got that all set I love the sock! It’s super easy too so you don’t have to keep looking at the pattern! I just posted b/c I smiled when I read the post b/c it was just like my experience.
Posted by: Melissa
Broadripple (at knitty — Blogger won’t let me cut/paste) is a superior (and antecedent) Jaywalker — and more flexible, too, thanks to the straight panels. Give it a shot.
Posted by: rams
We BOTH just blogged about help for socks?
Posted by: Rachael
I’ve got the same colorway and the same problem – I’ve frogged and started over 4 or 5 times, at least. Sometimes the problem was the pooling, and sometimes it was juist getting the size right for my big foot. I’m now on my 6th try (I think), using size zero needles with 82 stiches. The colors now stripe nicely, and the fabric is coming out tight enough for my liking, and it fits. If it’s any consolation, the yarn still looks beautiful (even after such abuse at my hands)!
Posted by: Lisbeth
How about some fair isle mitts? Try Eunny’s pattern for example.
Posted by: Katie
I suggest Lava Flow Socks from sockbug.blog-city.com – her free pattern links are down at the moment but I’ve done these ones and found they are not too tight for me, YMMV, it’s a slip-stitch pattern.
Posted by: weeza
Poo. I like the colors, but pooling makes me crazy mad. I’m knitting some somes right know in yarn that is awesome, but it’s pooling, so I’m alternating 2 rows of knitting from the center of the ball, and the outside. i know this is extreme for sock knitting, but oh, I dislike pooling even more!
Posted by: Julia
Um, I don’t think it’s all that ugly. Maybe I am a cheap date, knittingwise.
Posted by: Lizbon
Hey, I kind of like the way they look! If you continue, it will probably make swirly stripes. Maybe. I’d be willing to buy or trade that yarn off of you…
Posted by: Shelly Kang
I’ve got the same colorway and the same problem – I’ve frogged and started over 4 or 5 times, at least. Sometimes the problem was the pooling, and sometimes it was juist getting the size right for my big foot. I’m now on my 6th try (I think), using size zero needles with 82 stiches. The colors now stripe nicely, and the fabric is coming out tight enough for my liking, and it fits. If it’s any consolation, the yarn still looks beautiful (even after such abuse at my hands)!
Posted by: Lisbeth
How about some fair isle mitts? Try Eunny’s pattern for example.
Posted by: Katie
I suggest Lava Flow Socks from sockbug.blog-city.com – her free pattern links are down at the moment but I’ve done these ones and found they are not too tight for me, YMMV, it’s a slip-stitch pattern.
Posted by: weeza
Poo. I like the colors, but pooling makes me crazy mad. I’m knitting some somes right know in yarn that is awesome, but it’s pooling, so I’m alternating 2 rows of knitting from the center of the ball, and the outside. i know this is extreme for sock knitting, but oh, I dislike pooling even more!
Posted by: Julia
Um, I don’t think it’s all that ugly. Maybe I am a cheap date, knittingwise.
Posted by: Lizbon
Hey, I kind of like the way they look! If you continue, it will probably make swirly stripes. Maybe. I’d be willing to buy or trade that yarn off of you…
Posted by: Shelly Kang
I hear tell that the Feather And Fan pattern from Socks Socks Socks is magic for making variegated yarns behave.
Posted by: lissa
maybe alternate balls every-other row? or does that not work for socks?
Posted by: jen
Yes, Broadripple as rams suggested. It has a similar look to Jaywalker but has a lot more stretch.
Posted by: Jessica
Yeah, I really hate pooling too. It’s the worst part of variegated yarn.
I don’t have any suggestions for you because I don’t use much variegated yarn. I did want to know what you meant by ‘inflexible’ with regards to the Jaywalker. I’m the lone blogger who has yet to knit a pair and I was curious about that. Do you mean they’re not as stretchy as other socks?
I hope you feel better soon!!!!!!1
Posted by: Elinor
Not sure if this would be stretchy enough to meet your needs, but a slip-stitch or stranded pattern (like Crusoe on Knitty) might help break up pooling. Or the RPM socks at Knitty?
I’ve been contemplating this before breaking out my first STR–some people seem to get a lovely subtle swirl, others a less attractive slash. I love the way handpaint looks in the skein, but I’m beginning to understand why the purists don’t like variegation.
Posted by: Anne
Try the Tropicana Pattern in the June 06 Magknits. I used it with STR in Sherbet and it turned out fabulous.
Posted by: Christy
I hear tell that the Feather And Fan pattern from Socks Socks Socks is magic for making variegated yarns behave.
Posted by: lissa
maybe alternate balls every-other row? or does that not work for socks?
Posted by: jen
Yes, Broadripple as rams suggested. It has a similar look to Jaywalker but has a lot more stretch.
Posted by: Jessica
Yeah, I really hate pooling too. It’s the worst part of variegated yarn.
I don’t have any suggestions for you because I don’t use much variegated yarn. I did want to know what you meant by ‘inflexible’ with regards to the Jaywalker. I’m the lone blogger who has yet to knit a pair and I was curious about that. Do you mean they’re not as stretchy as other socks?
I hope you feel better soon!!!!!!1
Posted by: Elinor
Not sure if this would be stretchy enough to meet your needs, but a slip-stitch or stranded pattern (like Crusoe on Knitty) might help break up pooling. Or the RPM socks at Knitty?
I’ve been contemplating this before breaking out my first STR–some people seem to get a lovely subtle swirl, others a less attractive slash. I love the way handpaint looks in the skein, but I’m beginning to understand why the purists don’t like variegation.
Posted by: Anne
Try the Tropicana Pattern in the June 06 Magknits. I used it with STR in Sherbet and it turned out fabulous.
Posted by: Christy
I second Anne’s suggestion for the Crusoe socks pattern at knitty.com.
Posted by: Katie
I pretty much always alternate knitting one row from each end of a center pull ball in variegated yarns to break up the colors. It works great and after a few rows, I do it without thinkings, so it’s not a giant pain in the ass or anything.
Posted by: Adrian
So much for grilled cheese knitting. What’s the important bit – the yarn? or the plain sock?
Posted by: Juno
I almost hate variegated yarn. “almost hate” is a strong emotion. I truly do not get its appeal.
But Cassie’s old favorite, the Feather & Fan, really does make it behave, and it really is pretty, and it really is stretchy and comfortable. And it’s not as grilled-cheese-and-tomato-soup* as stockinette, but it’s pretty darn close, surprisingly. (and it goes wicked fast, too)
*had that for dinner one night this week already, and now you’ve made me crave it again, but I’ve got a pot of split-pea soup simmering on the stove right now, which is going to hit the spot nicely, too.
Posted by: Norma
hmmm, STR seems to pool in almost every incarnation of sock. i just don’t get it. i wish it didn’t. i might like it more. sorry i can’t be of help!
Posted by: gleek
I second Anne’s suggestion for the Crusoe socks pattern at knitty.com.
Posted by: Katie
I pretty much always alternate knitting one row from each end of a center pull ball in variegated yarns to break up the colors. It works great and after a few rows, I do it without thinkings, so it’s not a giant pain in the ass or anything.
Posted by: Adrian
So much for grilled cheese knitting. What’s the important bit – the yarn? or the plain sock?
Posted by: Juno
I almost hate variegated yarn. “almost hate” is a strong emotion. I truly do not get its appeal.
But Cassie’s old favorite, the Feather & Fan, really does make it behave, and it really is pretty, and it really is stretchy and comfortable. And it’s not as grilled-cheese-and-tomato-soup* as stockinette, but it’s pretty darn close, surprisingly. (and it goes wicked fast, too)
*had that for dinner one night this week already, and now you’ve made me crave it again, but I’ve got a pot of split-pea soup simmering on the stove right now, which is going to hit the spot nicely, too.
Posted by: Norma
hmmm, STR seems to pool in almost every incarnation of sock. i just don’t get it. i wish it didn’t. i might like it more. sorry i can’t be of help!
Posted by: gleek
maybe either the Monkey or Pomatomus Knitty patterns by Cookie A.??
The colourway does look lovely 🙂
Posted by: stinkerbell
There are some good examples of how some of the patterns in Sensational Knitted Socks knitted up at their KAL Blog site. http://sensationalknittedsocks.blogspot.com/ STR looks great in some of those options.
Posted by: Cathi Myers
I miss dairy, too, which I gave up for the same reason as you–if I remember correctly.. Have you been able to eat goat cheese? It’s smelly, but it serves its purpose. The baby doesn’t seem to mind it, either.
Grilled cheese sounds awfully good right now. With some earth balance spread and a slab of goat cheese. Maybe a slice of tomato?
Posted by: Rachel
knitty has a stranded sock that I think would showcase those colors really well. I used it for socks made for a friend and there was no pooling at all. It really broke it up, and was brainless to knit.
Posted by: Cambria W
I’m in the middle of my first pair of Jaywalkers, and just finished turning the heel, so I tried them on – there’s a bit of stretch to the leg and the heel. Can’t say whether the foot will have any – or whether I’ll need it. I will say I was a little worried whether it would fit properly (the leg looks enormous on the needles), but it fits like a dream.
I hadn’t seen the Broadripple pattern before…maybe I’ll try that another time.
Posted by: Dina
I knit a pair of Elfine’s socks in Lornas Laces, Black Purl and they did the exact same diagonal stripe, but being my first pair of socks i just kept on knitting and ended up with a beautiful pair of socks that have a spiral stripe all the way up the leg. I say go with the flow.
Posted by: Ella
maybe either the Monkey or Pomatomus Knitty patterns by Cookie A.??
The colourway does look lovely 🙂
Posted by: stinkerbell
There are some good examples of how some of the patterns in Sensational Knitted Socks knitted up at their KAL Blog site. http://sensationalknittedsocks.blogspot.com/ STR looks great in some of those options.
Posted by: Cathi Myers
I miss dairy, too, which I gave up for the same reason as you–if I remember correctly.. Have you been able to eat goat cheese? It’s smelly, but it serves its purpose. The baby doesn’t seem to mind it, either.
Grilled cheese sounds awfully good right now. With some earth balance spread and a slab of goat cheese. Maybe a slice of tomato?
Posted by: Rachel
knitty has a stranded sock that I think would showcase those colors really well. I used it for socks made for a friend and there was no pooling at all. It really broke it up, and was brainless to knit.
Posted by: Cambria W
I’m in the middle of my first pair of Jaywalkers, and just finished turning the heel, so I tried them on – there’s a bit of stretch to the leg and the heel. Can’t say whether the foot will have any – or whether I’ll need it. I will say I was a little worried whether it would fit properly (the leg looks enormous on the needles), but it fits like a dream.
I hadn’t seen the Broadripple pattern before…maybe I’ll try that another time.
Posted by: Dina
I knit a pair of Elfine’s socks in Lornas Laces, Black Purl and they did the exact same diagonal stripe, but being my first pair of socks i just kept on knitting and ended up with a beautiful pair of socks that have a spiral stripe all the way up the leg. I say go with the flow.
Posted by: Ella
My STR in Pebble Beach is currently in time-out because I couldn’t get it to stop being ugly. (And just to spare you the same misery, I tried alternating 2 strands, and then in desperation 4 strands, without it helping!)
I’m considering either a feather and fan sock or a slipped-stitch pattern for the yarn, when I’m ready to deal with it again. I can’t offer assurances, though, as I’m still just too mad at the yarn. 🙂
Posted by: Amy
Cari,
I made socks for Mr. Celia out of the STR Pebble Beach yarn. I modified the Thuja socks from Knitty: http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter05/PATTthuja.html
I used US 1.5 needles and cast on 72 sts.
go here:y_havin_fun.html
http://unraveling.typepad.com/unraveling/2006/05/untangling.html and here:
http://unraveling.typepad.com/unraveling/2006/06/busy_havin_fun.html
and email me if you want further details.
I love that yarn!
Posted by: Celia
I’d have frogged them too, really not attractive in the ss. How about something simple like a waffle pattern or fluted bannister? Would add a little texture which might help the yarn look a little better.
I keep getting sick from my grandsons who aren’t in day care or school either. Thank God for tissues with lotion in them.
Posted by: Diane
Hmm… the Crusoe socks are nice, but I’m thinking knitty’s monkey socks. Good luck with it!
Posted by: miss ewe
Hmm… the Crusoe socks are nice, but I’m thinking knitty’s monkey socks. Good luck with it!
Posted by: miss ewe
Just wanted to 2nd the suggestion for Sockbug’s Lava Flow socks. I’ve made them in both self-striping and variegated yarn, and both look great.
Posted by: Monika
My STR in Pebble Beach is currently in time-out because I couldn’t get it to stop being ugly. (And just to spare you the same misery, I tried alternating 2 strands, and then in desperation 4 strands, without it helping!)
I’m considering either a feather and fan sock or a slipped-stitch pattern for the yarn, when I’m ready to deal with it again. I can’t offer assurances, though, as I’m still just too mad at the yarn. 🙂
Posted by: Amy
Cari,
I made socks for Mr. Celia out of the STR Pebble Beach yarn. I modified the Thuja socks from Knitty: http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter05/PATTthuja.html
I used US 1.5 needles and cast on 72 sts.
go here:y_havin_fun.html
http://unraveling.typepad.com/unraveling/2006/05/untangling.html and here:
http://unraveling.typepad.com/unraveling/2006/06/busy_havin_fun.html
and email me if you want further details.
I love that yarn!
Posted by: Celia
I’d have frogged them too, really not attractive in the ss. How about something simple like a waffle pattern or fluted bannister? Would add a little texture which might help the yarn look a little better.
I keep getting sick from my grandsons who aren’t in day care or school either. Thank God for tissues with lotion in them.
Posted by: Diane
Hmm… the Crusoe socks are nice, but I’m thinking knitty’s monkey socks. Good luck with it!
Posted by: miss ewe
Hmm… the Crusoe socks are nice, but I’m thinking knitty’s monkey socks. Good luck with it!
Posted by: miss ewe
Just wanted to 2nd the suggestion for Sockbug’s Lava Flow socks. I’ve made them in both self-striping and variegated yarn, and both look great.
Posted by: Monika
Well, first things first. I don’t think it’s ugly. But, you know. Um…Maybe the Cat Bordhi simple 2×2 rib sock???? But it’s still a cool colorway. I like the yarny equivalents. Ahhh.
Posted by: john
I think its time to pick a new yarn from the stash and knit a stockinette sock. Comfort knitting, remember?
Posted by: claudia
How many stitches are you using? I made a Pebble Beach St St sock (toe up – very new for me) and it striped beautifully. With STR it’s all about the stitch count. I used my standard 64 stitches, size 2.5mm addis. Although you can NEVER go wrong with jaywalker and STR as far as I’m concerned. Wearing a pair right now. Good luck figuring it out. It’s a great colorway.
Posted by: Cara
i love the colourway too…
and i have to admit, the first pattern that crosses my mind is broad ripple.
Posted by: Kai
Try winding the yarn into two balls, and knitting alternate rows from each ball carrying the yarn up as you do so. It will create a little ridge on the inside of the sock, but shouldn’t be uncomfortable as long as you make sure it ends up on the top. Then the pattern wouldn’t pool so badly. Good luck.
Posted by: Laina
Hiya Cara,
Why not try a Blue Moon pattern for the STR? The “Rock and Weave” pattern has a linin stitch cuff and would de-uglify that yarn easily. Plus they look pretty perfect for clogs. 🙂
Posted by: Ivy J
Well, first things first. I don’t think it’s ugly. But, you know. Um…Maybe the Cat Bordhi simple 2×2 rib sock???? But it’s still a cool colorway. I like the yarny equivalents. Ahhh.
Posted by: john
I think its time to pick a new yarn from the stash and knit a stockinette sock. Comfort knitting, remember?
Posted by: claudia
How many stitches are you using? I made a Pebble Beach St St sock (toe up – very new for me) and it striped beautifully. With STR it’s all about the stitch count. I used my standard 64 stitches, size 2.5mm addis. Although you can NEVER go wrong with jaywalker and STR as far as I’m concerned. Wearing a pair right now. Good luck figuring it out. It’s a great colorway.
Posted by: Cara
i love the colourway too…
and i have to admit, the first pattern that crosses my mind is broad ripple.
Posted by: Kai
Try winding the yarn into two balls, and knitting alternate rows from each ball carrying the yarn up as you do so. It will create a little ridge on the inside of the sock, but shouldn’t be uncomfortable as long as you make sure it ends up on the top. Then the pattern wouldn’t pool so badly. Good luck.
Posted by: Laina
Hiya Cara,
Why not try a Blue Moon pattern for the STR? The “Rock and Weave” pattern has a linin stitch cuff and would de-uglify that yarn easily. Plus they look pretty perfect for clogs. 🙂
Posted by: Ivy J
I would try either the Mermaid Socks out of “Cool Socks, Warm Feet” by Lucy Neatby or the free feather and fan sock pattern from wendyknits.net
Posted by: Cathy
I’ve got one sock made in this colorway and don’t really love it either. I liked the colors in the skein, not so much in the knitted fabric.
I was thinking something like this rpm pattern would break it up a little…
http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTrpm.html
Posted by: Sil
I like playing with the concept of the Jaywalker. Today I posted a photo of a version I’m working on that has ribbing on the sides (thus flexability) and a few added stitches between the decreases to add interest. There is a photo on my blog. If you like them, I’d be happy to share the pattern.
Posted by: Kirsten
I was going to suggest Broadripple with everyone else. Or see if something else tickles your fancy at SockBug’s site. sockbug.blog-city.com/
Posted by: Laurie
Oh yeah, the joy of being a breastfeeding mum and all the phlegm that that entails. Ugh, I think I’ve been snotty since June 12th when my daughter was born.
A few slices of lemon, a couple of slices of ginger and a good squeeze of honey in some hot water are almost as good as the grilled cheese and tomato sandwich!
Posted by: ginchy
I would try either the Mermaid Socks out of “Cool Socks, Warm Feet” by Lucy Neatby or the free feather and fan sock pattern from wendyknits.net
Posted by: Cathy
I’ve got one sock made in this colorway and don’t really love it either. I liked the colors in the skein, not so much in the knitted fabric.
I was thinking something like this rpm pattern would break it up a little…
http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTrpm.html
Posted by: Sil
I like playing with the concept of the Jaywalker. Today I posted a photo of a version I’m working on that has ribbing on the sides (thus flexability) and a few added stitches between the decreases to add interest. There is a photo on my blog. If you like them, I’d be happy to share the pattern.
Posted by: Kirsten
I was going to suggest Broadripple with everyone else. Or see if something else tickles your fancy at SockBug’s site. sockbug.blog-city.com/
Posted by: Laurie
Oh yeah, the joy of being a breastfeeding mum and all the phlegm that that entails. Ugh, I think I’ve been snotty since June 12th when my daughter was born.
A few slices of lemon, a couple of slices of ginger and a good squeeze of honey in some hot water are almost as good as the grilled cheese and tomato sandwich!
Posted by: ginchy