Well, I was trying to look at the new Knitty, but it appears that everyone else with an internet connection is, so the patterns won't load. I was able to open a few of the articles, and so read "To Graft or Not to Graft."
I guess I must have weirdly shaped feet (I know they are small, but I didn't realize that they were also hobbit-like as she puts it) because every time I've tried the decrease to 12 or 8 stitches and pull them together to finish a sock, I get a toe that doesn't fit well. It is pointy and unattractive and uncomfortable.
When grafting, I've never had "ears" on either side that need to be sewn down. And besides, I like doing a short-row toe and grafting underneath the foot. I love perfectly blending in the grafted row such that the sock appears absolutely seamless.
So I'm a freak who enjoys the rhythm of the kitchener. She says, "It's slow and fiddly work, and requires attention and care." I say, "I don't want to wear a sock that was knit fast, sloppily, and without attention and care."
That's just my rambling rant. Go team Kitchener!!
Grades will be submitted by tomorrow morning. At which point I plan to figure out where my camera went to and start getting some knitting pictures back up here!!
Comments (4)
Well. I'm sure by "hobbit-like", the writer is talking about my own husband's feet, which are large and broad and require oodles of sock yarn. I've never been successful with the pulled-together toe, on either his feet or mine. Maybe it requires decreasing at a faster rate? When I try it I always end up with a dimple at the end of the sock (my hubby calls it a "toe nipple").
I've been exploring a bunch of different toes (out of "Knitting Vintage Socks", mostly) and each one looks better with a slightly different technique.
Kitchener stitching requires a zen-like state that I quite relish.
Posted by Sarah TX | December 10, 2008 1:45 PM
Posted on December 10, 2008 13:45
I have been struggling with making a sock for the Not So Little One for the past week or more. I realized yesterday or the day before that the increases at the toe (since I knit toe-up) don't make any sense when you actually look at a foot; the foot slopes only on one side, not up the middle.
So I've decided to make square-ish toe socks from now on. Someday, when I figure out provisional cast-ons, I may even try kitchner.
(Oh, and...
Forget Team Kitchner. Go Team Grading!
Posted by Cordelia | December 10, 2008 2:50 PM
Posted on December 10, 2008 14:50
I am in the middle of Kitchenering the back of a hood right now. to be honest, I just hate all the aspects of knitting that involve sewing (so basically, all grafting and finishing), but Kitchener is kind of soothing. of course, I either screwed this up or I just neglected to pick up the proper number of stitches on both sides. I guess I'll find out which when I get to the end! (my DPNs aren't long enough to pick up all stitches on both sides, so I'm doing 15 at a time. I may have only picked up 14 on one side, not sure yet).
Posted by M | December 11, 2008 1:45 AM
Posted on December 11, 2008 01:45
I haven't read the article yet - but I'm puzzled. Grafting doesn't seem fiddly to me. I'm absolutely with you on all your points. There's something so clever about it, there's no seam, and it fits well. I think that's worth the time and effort, personally.
Posted by terby | December 11, 2008 7:36 PM
Posted on December 11, 2008 19:36