Now you see it.
Now you don’t.
That’s right. Despite the fact that I finally grasped the art of the rotating stitch pattern, I still needed to rip the whole thing out.
Basically, I just didn’t like the fabric that was coming off the needles. I was having a hard time getting the Gothic Spire socks over my heel, so I opted for a better fitting sock by going up a needle size.
I went from a size 2.25mm to a size 2.5mm, which may not seem like much of a difference, but the resulting fabric does feel different to me. There’s more stretch. More stretch is good.
Here’s the sock with one complete repeat. (I know the pictures are terrible. This is a really hard colour to photograph.)
If this incarnation of the Gothic Spire socks do not meet my expectations, I will take another trip to the frog pond and have another cast on party with much of the swearing of which my cats have learned to hide from.
I vow to get this right even if it takes doing it again and again and again and again. I’m not obsessed though. I’m not even stubborn. I’m just determined.
In the midst of all this ripping and the ensuing swearing, Pressie retreated to her favorite hideout quiet spot.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Persevere! You will over come that yarn that has yet to know it will be a sock! Go away you bad stitches—- get you away!
Don’t worry — you will get it!!
June 27th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Rip Rip Rip!!!! Only the best Rip it girl! Can you tell I’m catching up with your blogs now that I’m home? :)
June 27th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
There is A LOT of now you see it, now you don’t at my house.
The TOFUtsies are now a yarncake waiting to be cast on to size 0 needles.
The wrap is a yarncake waiting to go down from 7 to 6 with an added repeat.
Sometimes I think I should just take up laundry or weeding ….you know, something that shows progress once in awhile.
June 27th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Dear Opal,
Maybe the yarn is cursed? Sometimes it works to change to a different yarn. Sounds weird I know but take it from one who has had to change to a different yarn. Sometimes it works. Your cat is smart to hide out. Yarn rage can be very lethal!
June 27th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Don’t worry. You’ll kick that pattern once and for all!
=:8
June 27th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
WOW! I’m impressed you went back and started all over. Kudos Opal! I never would have the perserverence to do it. And that is why I have tons of stuff sitting around my house that aren’t done because I hate it.
June 27th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
i’ve ripped and ripped a project, even trying different patterns/yarns along the way….that’s the beauty and fun of knitting!
June 28th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Pretty socks – you will get it right eventually! I have a limit on froggong a project – I think after 2 or 3 times, I’m done and put it away.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:20 am
Want to hear something very weird? My cats Jaxon and Mickie who both died in 2005 (which is why I have my P-Man now) used to put their ears back and take off under my bed when they would hear “those” words. Whenever Pumpkin hears them, he comes running to see why I’m upset and head butt me so I always feel better :)
I say ditch the yarn if the next attempt fails, determined, deschmermined – life’s too short!
June 28th, 2007 at 12:52 am
You have to love what you are knitting. If not, frog. Been there many times but it’s worth the effort. You kitty and quiet place are so cute. Pets add so much.
June 28th, 2007 at 1:32 am
Glad to know that you are not obsessed…. ;-)
I just notices when I went to start a sock last night that I bought 2.25 mm dpns rather than 2.5 mm dpns to go with my 2.5 mm 12″ circulars. I was thinking of using them anyway to work the easy toe for a toe up sock, but decided against it. After reading this, I am glad I did just cast on for a cuff down with the 2.5′s. Thanks!
June 28th, 2007 at 1:34 am
You’ll get it! It’s a pretty color.
June 28th, 2007 at 4:50 am
Not obssesses…not stubborn…just determined! LOL! Have you been looking over my shoulder, girl? Take it easily Opal – it’s just a sock pattern and I don’t believe there’s a one you can’t conquer :)
June 28th, 2007 at 5:39 am
Oh no! It’s not only contagious. It’s virulent and mobile enough to make it across many miles of ocean.
Sock flu.
Blessings!
June 28th, 2007 at 6:18 am
Hope you avoid the frog pond! I had to tink a lot the other night…with MUCHO swearing…on the pink MOHAIR thing. One row ain’t bad…but after three or four rows the stitches feel as if they’ve found their permanent home, right or wrong, and the fibers are ingrown like tiny toenails gone bad. I ended up CUTTING (more swearing), redoing the caston for the second border and went from there (it was only about 20 30-stitch rows).
I have confidence you will conquer the Spire! And I like Pressie’s hideout!
huggggggggggggsssssssss
mm
June 28th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Well you will get it! I can’t wait to see these all done! Such a cool pattern.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:49 am
The pattern looks really pretty, so keep going, it’ll turn out great.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:56 am
I love the color of the yarn, what is it? Hmmmm, did I miss that in the post. I have faith that you will be able to work it out.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Noo! Not the frog pond– anything but the frog pond.
June 28th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
LOVE the kitty tent! You are determined. I’d be laying on the floor sobbing by a pile of that pretty red yarn. If anyone could use an Island Sangria right now, it’s you, but keep knitting. I admire your fortitude!
June 28th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
I love that color! What is it that’s so tricksy about Gothic Spire? Normally, Cookie A’s patterns are written so that “complicated looking” doesn’t mean hard to do…
In any case, I’m confident that this time all will be right. Otherwise, Pressie may never forgive you :-)
June 29th, 2007 at 4:32 am
Pressie is sooo cute in her little hideout! All that ripping, I have sure been there before. It looks great now and I bet it feels wonderful on. It almost “clicks” when it is right and is just miserable when it is wrong. Of course, now I want to knit this sock even more, you are my favorite sock inspiration.
June 29th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Sometimes nothing seems right, but you will manage to make the socks anyway. Good Luck.