Pattern: Spring Forward socks, by Linda Welch (r)
Source: Knitty Summer 2008
Needles: 2.25mm Knit Picks nickel plated (see below)
Method: Magic Loop
Materials: dkKnits Technicolor Smoosh Toes in “Sugar the Rim”

Sock 1: 06.14 - 06.15.08 (pictured)
Sock 2: 06.16 - [WIP]

As soon as the Summer 2008 Knitty came out, I knew I had to knit these socks ASAP, and I knew exactly what yarn (r) to knit them in. My original intent was to knit two at a time on one circular, but I decided to knit one at a time to make my knitting on the bus easier. I had a lot of free time this weekend to work on them, and I was able to complete one sock.

Modifications and Details:

I wanted to knit this pattern toe up so that I could as much of my yarn as possible. The original pattern calls for decreasing down to 18 sts total, but I decided to CO 24 with Judy’s Magic Cast On instead, and I am quite please with the result. I didn’t get Elf Toe Syndrome, which was the desired effect.

I increased until I reached the required number of stitches (66 total) and began knitting the lace pattern. Instead of beginning with row 1 and working my way up the chart, I knit from row 24 and went down the chart. I didn’t do this because I wanted to rotate the stitch pattern, I did it simply because I preferred the lace pattern that way.

I did two full chart repeats, plus rows 24-21, for the foot (size 7.5) before beginning my short row heel. I intentionally ended the lace pattern on my foot in the middle of a repeat because I wanted to continue my heel in stockinette for a bit longer before I started the lace pattern on the heel. After completing the heel, I worked rows 20-15 on the foot, and knit the heel/leg in stockinette stitch. After completing rows 14-12 (plain stockinette) on both the foot and leg, I began knitting the lace pattern on both the leg and foot from there on out. The result left me a with a heel that was slightly sturdier despite the stretch, as it didn’t have yarn overs running across it.

The leg had 4 full chart repeats (with the first chart repeat on the heel/back of the leg beginning halfway through the lace chart) and was ended on row 1. I proceeded to knit with the 1×1 twisted ribbing for 14 rows, and I bound off with US 6 (4mm) needles. I had some misgivings about the 1×1 twisted ribbing, and in retrodspect, I shouldn’t have done it, or I should have knit it with a 2.5mm needle rather than continuing with the 2.25mm. Binding off with a US 6 left the top a little snug (I have big calves), so I will mostly like bind off with a US 7 or 8 for the next sock.

The verdict?

This is definitely a “must knit” pattern for all sock knitters. It is not the most innovative and original design, but it is absolutely gorgeous when executed. The lace pattern shapes up really quickly, which is ideal for an impatient knitter such as myself. This pattern is ideal for any type of yarn, but obviously works best with variegated colors that have some sort of striping or angle to them. I’m not sure how these would look in self-striping yarn, but I’d imagine it would be an interesting effect to see with the decreases.

A word of caution: with all of the leaning decreases, I could see how this sock might twist on DPNs. Follow Linda’s directions in the pattern and that probably won’t happen to you.

A brief review of KnitPicks nickel plated needles…

You should know three things about me before reading this “review”: (1) I am an extremely tight knitter, (2) I refuse to use wooden needles of any kind because of this, and (3) I hate DPNs and will do anything to avoid them.

This was my first experience with KnitPicks nickel plated needles. I’ve been considering purchasing their nickel plated set, but I wanted to try them out before committing to an entire set of needles (which I would recommend to any knitter who is considering purchasing a set), so I purchased a 2.25mm circular several weeks ago in anticipation of knitting with it. I’ve been knitting all of my socks with Addi Turbos in the Magic Loop method, and I love it. I’m a tight knitter, so the ease with which the stitches slide off the needles is great, and the cables are fairly flexible, even though they do need some wear.

However, with my KnitPicks needle, I did not have a positive first impression, which was to be expected since I was buying a product of lower quality. The needles and cable felt cheap when I removed them from their wrapper and started casting on. The cable, like my Addis, needed a little working before they became truly flexible. Once the cable was worked in, however, it was nice and flexible, and had very little memory, much like my Addis. The needles were not as smooth as the Addis, but they were still good.

Overall, my experience with the needles was satisfactory, and it is a good deal for the price. While they will never surpass my Addis in quality (you do get what you pay for), I will most likely be purchasing a set in the near future. They are quite good, but they aren’t great.

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