I’ve done quite a bit, but have little to show for it.

In this weeks installment, our heroine has been doing a lot of math, lots of measuring, and not that much knitting. I went deep into the book Big Foot Knits and have figured out, drafted, and partially completed my sock, and I am pleased thus far.

I did find myself wanting a lot more graph paper and 2 to 4 column ledger sheets than provided in the book. Fortunately I have a bit of an office supply habit, and have everything I need. I can see that I will be creating more explicit lists of how to proceed, what to do with all the numbers, how to decide what works for the individual knitter, etc for the class I teach in January. If I do any Excel sheets or make any PDFs I will provide them on my blog somewhere. There was a spot or two I wondered how she got from point “A” to point “B”, but I figured  that out as well. There will be socks.

I wanted to post a picture with the heel placed and with the sock in all its unfinished glory on my foot so all could see how smashing it was, but no such luck. I will place the heel this week. For now, this tube is all I have to show. I did choose to knit the pattern Gaia. Just a happy plug for that great Yarn Pop bag I am using. I am still so tickled I won that bag set, and am very happy with the quality of her work.

I find it very interesting and kind that the patterns are charted for both toe-up and top-down. This pattern is reversible. I am impressed as well. There is a bit of work involved in creating a chart that is not only adaptable in either direction, but that can contract and expand as I size the pattern to my foot. I am working with four pattern repeats, and that gives me eight spots where I can increase or decrease. That will give me a smooth, gradual pattern shift as I knit up my calves. I am tempted to make these knee-highs just to test out the pattern. That would require a second ball of yarn, though, and I am not sure I want knee-highs that bad. We will see.

On other fronts: A great little yarn shop, Raven’s Beak Design in Grand Marais is starting a Featured Fiber Artist series. I am honored and excited to be the first one! On October 18th (a full moon no less) she is holding an opening where I and my patterns will be featured. 7 – 9 p.m. On Saturday I will be teaching a little take-away class. I will be teaching one of my ornaments, providing the pattern and enough yarn to complete an ornament from 11 a.m – 3 p.m. This is going to be very fun, and it will really out me as a designer. She is no slouch as a designer herself, and it is fun to see her patterns around the store. It should be a fun time. Come on down if you are around! Or, more accurately, on up, being as I am north of just about everyone.