May 25, 2006
Fifth time's a charm...
It just wouldn't be the white sock yarn if a pattern worked on the first try.
After getting about 3/4 of the way through the cuff of the Gentleman's Fancy Sock, I compared it to my perfect-fitting previous pair. Same yarn, same pattern, same needles. Really, it should be the same. But no. The white was perceptibly smaller, and has less give to it.
Perhaps there is a reason for all my white sock yarn problems: maybe I am knitting it too tightly. I have way more experience knitting with green yarn... maybe the knitted white yarn looks like its letting too much light through, so I knit tighter.
So here we have the too-tight cuff on the right, and the white sock yarn in its fifth effort at sockness on the left. same needles, same yarn, same pattern, just many more thoughts about knitting loooooser. The resulting fabric *is* looser so far. This just might work!
I am keeping the first cuff around for comparison purposes. This could be it, but if its not, well, this yarn might need a new home.
Comments (16)
Weird! I wonder if for some reason the dyed yarn is different texture and maybe you knit it a little different? Kind of like a recipe - my friend and I can follow the EXACT same recipe - they come out totally different.....I've been wanting to try the Jawoll for some of the KVS patterns....
Posted by Stacey | May 25, 2006 1:23 PM
Posted on May 25, 2006 13:23
white yarn is different, i've heard; it can be impossible to felt, for example, even though other shades of the same yarn felts beautifully. i'm sure it's the dyeing process that makes your socks different. that said, i love how the simple pattern stands out when made up in white. very textural and very beautiful.
Posted by kris | May 25, 2006 1:35 PM
Posted on May 25, 2006 13:35
Oh gosh, I hope for sanity sake it works! I'll cross my fingers for you!
Posted by Angela | May 25, 2006 2:58 PM
Posted on May 25, 2006 14:58
white yarn is usually a bit different. it usually involves using chemicals to make it whitened.
it's kinda like how black yarns will always be slightly heavier. i believe because it takes more dye.
well good luck on try #5. i'll keep this in the back of my mind, i've been wanting to make some white socks recently!
Posted by melissa | May 25, 2006 3:14 PM
Posted on May 25, 2006 15:14
5? Really? You are a very patient (or stubborn) person. Good luck and I'm sending loose knitting thoughts your way.
Posted by Stephanie | May 25, 2006 5:50 PM
Posted on May 25, 2006 17:50
*fingers crossed*
Posted by Chris | May 25, 2006 7:09 PM
Posted on May 25, 2006 19:09
That's really funny. Maybe you should threaten it with dyeing. Wouldn't it be funny if it worked out after you dyed it?....
Posted by Julia | May 25, 2006 7:45 PM
Posted on May 25, 2006 19:45
Could it be that the previous socks are a little stretched out from blocking? Perhaps I'm a little naive here.
Posted by Kit Knits | May 26, 2006 12:31 AM
Posted on May 26, 2006 00:31
Kudos to you for not giving up! I would have moved on to another project by now. I hope you eventually get some great socks out of that white yarn!
Posted by Casey | May 26, 2006 6:29 PM
Posted on May 26, 2006 18:29
Funny you should mention this. When I was a pretty new knitter, I made scarves for Christmas presents and found that the nice fluffy alpaca yarn I used -- same yarn, same stitch pattern -- produced a different sized piece in the white yarn as opposed to the other color yarns. I'm pretty sure I was knitting tighter for whatever reason, but I also questioned the yarn's processing. Thankfully, they were just scarves! :)
Posted by Karma | May 27, 2006 11:18 AM
Posted on May 27, 2006 11:18
I'm with Cris and Kris, all appendeges crossed! Think the appropriate adjective is determined. It will get you far!
Posted by Mom | May 29, 2006 5:17 PM
Posted on May 29, 2006 17:17
I love this white sock yarn saga! I hope this one works out cause this pattern looks really neat!
Posted by Julia | June 2, 2006 1:54 AM
Posted on June 2, 2006 01:54
Bear in mind that after having knit and frogged with it four times, the yarn has been stressed and isn't as stretchy/bouncy as it was to start with. I've read that in those cases the yarn should be wetted and let dry, so it can regain it's former springyness.
Posted by valentina | June 4, 2006 12:36 AM
Posted on June 4, 2006 00:36
I have a friend whose making socks very much like those. Only he's a guy and they're for him. ;)
They look impressive!
Posted by pip | June 8, 2006 1:32 PM
Posted on June 8, 2006 13:32
Just thought I'd de-lurk myself and say hi! I love your site, and your knitting—everything always looks so polished when you finish it. I have to admit, for inspiration, I read and re-read your archives! Can't wait for your next post.
Posted by Krista McCurdy | June 8, 2006 9:09 PM
Posted on June 8, 2006 21:09
Is there any place on the web where I can look at modern patterns? I've been looking all over.
Posted by Anita | August 18, 2006 3:13 AM
Posted on August 18, 2006 03:13