Thursday, February 22, 2007

Socks that DIDN'T Rock

After I finished the misshapen dinosaur, I began to think about the next project that would make me happy. And I decided it was time to stop forcing myself to wait, and just cast on some of the Socks That Rock I've been hording. I even had the perfect pattern bookmarked.

I looked at my STR and decided I wanted to cast on Seal Rock. I carefully put it on the swift, and began to wind the ball. Spin, spin, spin. Suddenly . . . . SNAP.

A break in the yarn. That's okay, I'd have to divide it for two socks anyway.

Spin, spin, spin. And again . . . SNAP.

Another break in the yarn? What the heck is going on here???

Spin, spin, spin . . . . what was THAT??

Nope, not a break. This time, it's a KNOT!!! A KNOT!! Really, are you kidding me with this skein of yarn???

Okay, so, not quite what I was expecting from the yarn that everyone seems to love. But I cast on anyway, and soon all was forgiven. This yarn really is beautiful to work with. It knits up so nicely and the medium-weight I purchased also knits really fast. Kirsten's pattern was so much fun, and it felt like the sock leg knit itself. In a flash, I was ready to start the heel. But first, I took a good look.

YUCK. Since the color repeats in my colorway were different from the colorway Kirsten used, my sock didn't have the lovely stripey look that the Jingle Bell Rock sock had. In fact, I had pooling. I usually don't mind pooling, but this colorway pooled in the ugliest way I had ever seen. Even Pea admitted it didn't look good, and he never sees flaws in my knitting! So, here's what we have.

Four small balls of Seal Rock. I will still knit these up, and I know they will make a beautiful pair of socks when I find the pattern that is meant for them. And another skein in my stash will make a beautiful pair of socks using Kirsten's pattern. But for now, they are both on hold.

Instead, I pulled out some gorgeous Koigu and the Garter-Rib pattern I used for my Mom's Christmas socks. Now this is the perfect match I was looking for. I am in crazy mad love with this sock so far!!!!

Happy socks are under-way!!

26 comments:

Jillio said...

wow, i wound my STR by hand so i didn't get that snappage problem. i wanted the ENTIRE tactile experience, if you know what i mean. it took a while, but it was soooo worth every inch. *sigh*
and i didn't have any knots.
i think there are some yarns you need to wind on a swift, and others that just aren't meant for being wound that way.
the pooling is usually solved by choosing a different starting place. maybe consider solid toes, heels, and cuffs for the socks you knit in that yarn?

Sonya said...

Well that's a bit of a bummer given the STR fever. BTW, I just ordered by first 2 skeins. ;o) The Koigu is knitting up beautifully!

Kirsten said...

I'm glad to hear that the Koigu is behaving nicely.
I hope you find the right pattern for that yarn. I find that with pooling in varigated yarns, a few stitches can make all of the difference. Try a new pattern that allows for casting on a few more or a few less.

Dave said...

Yes, well, Koigu. You know. I mean, what can I say? :-)

That's a great colourway. I love the little flashes of blue or grey or purple or whatever it is. Fear not, the perfect pattern for the STR will reveal itself in its own good time.

Scoutj said...

I would totally contact them and let them know what happened....

Anonymous said...

My husband doesn't believe me when I say the yarn doesn't want to be in a certain pattern. I have almost a zen philosophy about sock yarn--you have to let it be what it wants. This time around your STR did not want to be in that pattern! Give it some time, and you'll find the perfect one. I like your new sock--the finished pair will be just great!

Jenn said...

Oh no! Good yarn gone bad - details at 11........
But the Koigu is lovely, as always!

Ragan said...

Aww...sorry to hear that about your pooling. Pooh. Well, you will come up with something really wonderful (I am sure of that). :)

Hojo said...

everyone has knitting stuff or sweaters up..so cute!

Jennifer said...

Ouch! I haven't balled up any of my STR yet. Now, I'm a bit afraid. Koigu is always a solid yarn choice though.

Chrissy said...

That sucks about the STR. Hopefully it was just a fluke ball.

Mintyfresh said...

After my dinosaur diversion, I, too, am back to socks!

flutter said...

I have that same koigu and ohhhhhh have mercy is it beautiful. I am really going to have to learn the magic loop thing

Zonda said...

Oh that just stinks!! It is a lovely colorway too! Guess I'll beware when winding mine!

The new sock is looking great though! :)

Ragan said...

BTW...I love the red socks! They are looking wonderful!

kathy b said...

The truth will set us free. Absolutely unacceptable from STR.

Nancy said...

Is there a "Lemon Law" for yarn? But, the Koigu is uber-pretty!

Sourire11 said...

well it sucks that the socks that rock... didn't. But the koigu socks are beautiful! I have yet to try either of those yarns...

somebunnysloveDOTcom said...

Sorry about the STR. I may use mine in a stranded pattern in case of pooling. Also I have somewhere in my favorites folder or file directory a sock pattern that stops pooling. I think it uses slip stitches. The Koigu does look gorgeous!
=:8

KeanaLee said...

I like them! that sux about the yarn. I hate when that happens & it has happened to me, I try to get my stuff wound at a store when I can, but when you buy stuff on the internet & have to wind it yourself it happens....I'm back! got a new PC! come visit me:-)

Olga said...

I love the way we treat our yarn as if it were our kids...johnny will find what he wants to be and we won't force him to be anything else! :-) It's true, though; I'm knitting Jaywalkers (finally! gasp!) with white and blue Lorna's Laces, and it really is the best pattern for that yarn, I think.

Anonymous said...

Oy, that's truly a bummer - socks that don't really rock ;( But the Koigu looks absolutely awesome!

knittinmom said...

You should definitely contact Blue Moon - they will make it right. Your yarn shouldn't snap like that, unless you were totally wigging out on your ball winder and putting on tons of pressure or something! I've wound several skeins of STR with no problems.

In the meantime, I'm glad you found your Happy Socks!

~Kristie said...

CRIPES! That's HORRIBLE! I bet Blue Moon would be surprised to hear that & you definitely should contact them for a replacement skein. Thankfully you found something else that's working out beautifully.

Zarzuela said...

After reading the next post I'm glad to see that things worked out with the STR people. The new sock is quite lovely too!

Jessica

Anonymous said...

That sucks that your first STR experience was like this :o(

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