Socks : Zig Zag Update - 29 August 2024

Here’s an update for my sock knitting.

I started this new pair of socks ages ago and had to unravel because I discovered that the cuff yarn could shrink.

Unravelling itself was not a big problem for me as I want these socks to fit well, but this project’s been the epitome of ‘slow fashion’ - can socks be ‘fashion’ ? It took me ages to do the new-to-me alternating cast-on method neatly but it looks better and I’m hoping the cuff will be more comfortable too.

I’m using a free pattern called Opa’s Sokken by the Kitchen Sink Shop on Ravelry. The pattern comes in three sizes which are determined by the number of stitches used 56, 64 and 72. I’m making the medium size and using that same Zig Zag yarn and size 2.25 non-matching double pointed needles (dpns).

The pattern has a simple stitch but I didn’t bother to follow it because the busy self-patterning yarn I'm using doesn’t really need a fancy stitch ('added complication').

I’ve been slow because I’ve really had to pay attention to the pattern. Normally I use three dpns forming a sort of triangle as I knit. You can hopefully see what I mean here or here. I started following my ‘normal’ method but the pattern uses four needles instead.

Each needle is assigned a number of stitches, section and a function. This was a complete change to me and I’ve slowly adapted but it’s meant having to unravel a couple more times because I’ve got lost and decided to start from a safe point again.

The pattern divides the stitches into numbered needles one (N1) and two (N2) having 16 stitches each, while needles three (N3) and four (N4) having changing numbers of stitches according to where you are in the process.

Now that I’m knitting the foot and have gone past the heel I’ve got 16 stitches in each dpn I’m not planning to go back to my method as I can avoid using markers with this method and I appreciate that.

The safety pin you may be able to see in the photo above marks the beginning of the foot. I still have a fair way to go but it’s looking great in my humble opinion.

I’m hoping that after reading the pattern more closely it will all be plain sailing from now on and for the second sock.

Thank you for reading !