Sockapalooozer update

The sock doesn't look much different tonight, but that's because I've been through three heels!

I'm now on the afterthought heel, which involves knitting half a row (the heel) in a contrasting yarn, then going back and reknitting in the sock yarn. Afterwards I'll pick up the stitches below and above the contrast yarn, and knit a toe!  It is the heel which least disrupts the patterning of the yarn.  I'm trying not to change the way the pooling occurs.
(Unfortunately I chose purple yarn for the contrast, not very clever) You can just see the row of contrast - it's where the plain knitting starts.

My first attempt was a traditional heel flap. The increase in stitches meant that the purple striping started going the other way.  Here the stripe has straightened out ready for the turnaround. I can't believe that I carried on knitting for another inch after this photo was taken!

And my second attempt: japanese short row. Fine. No holes, but it just didn't seem right for a gift. This is the frightening picture for those who've never attempted short rows before.

And I've started the Flower Basket shawl at last, in Jamieson's Ultra. I do like this yarn, it's soft and has a felted look about it.

This is the Frosted Grape colour, not as pale as in the photo.

Now for Stash talk.  I'm sorry to see that three bloggers, who shall remain nameless, didn't join in, as I would have loved to have seen their stash. You know who you are!

I should also point out (I was a bit rushed when I posted) that this stash is an accumulation over the years, and not really that recent (apart from a few bargain cones at the beginning of the year, oops).  A lot of my stash was stored for several years, so this has been the first opportunity to get it out and look through it.  I really need to sort though it all, log the stuff I'm keeping, ebay the stuff I'm selling.  I love linen drape, for instance, and couldn't resist the fantastic sale price at libertys, much cheaper than anywhere else! So I have lots of linen drape, but really, when will I knit all of those garments, eh?  Sock stash doesn't count. I can get through that in no time!

Comments

[Ashley]

Now that is perseverance--I'm sure your pal will appreciate all the effort you put into getting the heel right! (I've never tried Japanese short rows, but I gotta say that picture does not make me inclined to try them :))

[Mary]

I'd noticed some absences in the stash flash too - what are they trying to hide? Your picture of the Japanese short row heel is not tempting me to try it at all.

[Yvonne]

If you are referring to me not flashing the stash - it's because i was away at a show buying more stash! Anyway , I can't get to most of it until we do some major housework. Now there are no shows for a while I'll have to get stuck in and do some.

[Jill]

You are a glutton for punishment! Don't fancy the Japanese thingy at all. Love the Flower Basket Shawl though - one day I'll manage it......

[Katherine]

Beautiful socks and shawl! I'm impressed with how carefully you are choosing the heel, but to knit three? Dang LOL. Good job!

[Linda]

I'm not judgemental about the stash. I'm envious. But I'm soldiering on to do your stash in/ stash out idea. The problem is that four jumper kits arrived today, on the day my husband picked up the mail -what bad luck- no less. It's a wonderful idea for getting me to finish all the things that need one piece only to be complete, so they artificially inflate the stash out side!