Posted under socks
When I knit a sock, I want the pattern to shout “look at me!” I want the yarn and the pattern to coexist in a perfect state of harmony. Unfortunately that seems to be too much to ask of my latest sock project.
The pattern is Marina Piccolo in the yarn Artyarns Ultramerino 4, color number 108.
It’s not that I don’t love the pattern. It’s not that I don’t love the yarn. The two together? No. Not so much. All I hear from this sock is “busy, busy, busy.”
Actually, I don’t really think they look all that horrible together. It’s just that I know that the pattern would look so much better in a different yarn and that the yarn is probably crying to be knit in a different pattern. Except my brain has been in such a fog lately that I can’t seem to get the right mix of pattern and yarn together to save my life.
Another problem is that I don’t hate it enough to frog it all just yet. I don’t love it enough to want to knit much on it either. It’s been languishing for the past two days in my work basket and I haven’t had the urge to pick it up.
Are my expectations too high? Is this a perfectly acceptable sock and I’m just not seeing it? Or do you all agree that this just is not working? Is my whining grating on your nerves yet?
I think it’s time to put the socks down, find something else to knit, and take deep calming breaths.
Barb on 17 Oct 2007 at 11:09 am #
Up close it looks nice, imo, but then sometimes the varigated yarns and a complicated pattern just don’t work well, sigh.
Cookie on 17 Oct 2007 at 11:17 am #
I’ve knit that pattern twice. Once with the intended yarn and once with not the intended yarn.
While I like your sock, I don’t think it’s a great fit of yarn and pattern. I think both would be happier with a different partner. I just don’t think they do each other justice. Ya know?
Peggy on 17 Oct 2007 at 11:42 am #
Ya know, if you ain’t happy with it you ain’t happy with it and probably won’t finish the pair. The pattern looks lovely as does the yarn just not a match made in heaven. (or paradise)
Meredith on 17 Oct 2007 at 11:46 am #
Frog it. You’ll be happier in the long run. That yarn is gorgeous and just hasn’t found the right pattern yet. And the pattern is lovely, but needs a different yarn.
So there.
huggggggggggsssssssss
mer
Sue J. on 17 Oct 2007 at 12:08 pm #
It’s not a matter of whether the yarn and pattern click. It’s that you don’t love it. It will nag at you constantly, just like it would nag at me. I can’t tell you the ambivalence I have felt over certain patterns that I was sure would work out just fine. Yet, they didn’t. That little something niggled at the back of my brain. It would keep me awake at night until I either made peace with it or frogged the whole thing and moved on. Is it time to start a lace project? Put the socks down for awhile? You have never knit a sock I didn’t just love, but they’re not my socks. They’re yours and you need to love them. Whew! Didn’t realize I was getting so long winded.
Hattie on 17 Oct 2007 at 12:59 pm #
Yeah it’s not really bad, it’s just not “right” either as you mentioned. The problem is that this sock looks best in solids. So you should either rip and use a solid, OR if you do choose a yarn that’s variegated, it should be closer in the tone of it. There is too much contrast in the yarn you are using now.
Anyway, that’s my $.02 for the day. ;)
And you and I have very similar sock taste, that’s another pattern that’s in my queue. Or maybe it’s just that I want to knit EVERYTHING lol.
Jeanne on 17 Oct 2007 at 1:07 pm #
I think the sock looks good, although perhaps a photo from further away would change my mind. But really, you have to go with your gut…if you haven’t felt like knitting it, the decision has been made. Time to find a new pattern for that yarn, and a new yarn for that pattern.
Peggy on 17 Oct 2007 at 1:12 pm #
There is no need to try to convince you that it is lovely if you aren’t digging it. I would like to have a shot a little further away to see if the pattern hold us.
dorothy in wyoming on 17 Oct 2007 at 1:27 pm #
It looks busy to me also. Not really a good fit and I agree with those that say frog it.
Then maybe you and I can knit that big square shawl together ;)
Dave on 17 Oct 2007 at 2:03 pm #
I agree with you and the other commenters. Both lovely, but not together.
Karen B. on 17 Oct 2007 at 2:17 pm #
Hawaii 17-Oct-2007: Word has it that Yarn and Pattern have tentatively agreed to go their separate ways. According to unnamed sources inside Chez Akamai, Yarn is said to have conceded that “it was just too much wool for Pattern.”
Court papers should be filed within days.
tiennie on 17 Oct 2007 at 4:45 pm #
I say rip it if you don’t want to work on it. It is a great pattern and that is great yarn but if you don’t like it together - rip it!
Knitnana on 17 Oct 2007 at 4:53 pm #
I agree that this enui you’re feeling probably means you won’t, in the end, be happy. So stop now. Wind up the yarn, and put it back in it’s spot in stash.
The right pattern will call to it at an appropriate time!
(((hugs)))
debbie on 17 Oct 2007 at 5:20 pm #
hmmmm….you know, i have the same feelings sometimes and am reluctant to frog or continue so end up with these half-done projects or orphan socks….see you tomorrow night!
carrie on 17 Oct 2007 at 5:37 pm #
I actually think they are lovely. BUT, I agree that YOU have to like them (love them), plus a photo is not the same as real life… I’m sure you will make the correct choice!
Debi on 17 Oct 2007 at 7:37 pm #
Know when to fold em! If you feel this way now, they’ll be sitting in your sock drawer, lonely and abandoned, later…
Dipsy D. on 17 Oct 2007 at 10:01 pm #
Well, you said it perfectly: It’s not that the sock and the pattern look all horrible together, but the colorway is really a tad too “loud” for the pattern. It’s nonetheless an awesome colorway - I’m sooo into purple in all shades these days!! - but you’ll sure find a much better pattern for it - and you’ll find another, not so busy colorway for the pattern you wanted to try this time! Sometimes things just don’t seem to work together, and there’s no sense in continuing to knit if you already know you won’t wear it. I’d say: Frog it! ;)
Jeanne on 17 Oct 2007 at 10:39 pm #
The yarn is too pretty not to love what you are making with it - I think you should just frog it. There are so many pretty patterns out there - and I”m sure you will find just the right one for this yarn!
Alison on 18 Oct 2007 at 2:43 am #
If you’re not happy, you’re not. I don’t think the sock looks terrible; it’s actually quite pretty, but it is a little busy. The color is gorgeous and might like just something simple like stockinette or rib to really show it off.
textillian on 18 Oct 2007 at 2:45 am #
It is all about you, Opal! If you don’t like it, then rip away.
I kind of like it, but maybe it is the angle at which I am viewing it in the pictures.
Robbyn on 18 Oct 2007 at 3:34 am #
That’s a lovely pattern, but you’re right - that yarn doesn’t work - and you wouldn’t believe how hard it is for me to criticize a purple yarn! The yarn will look smashing in a different design.
I’d say go for a solid to show off the nifty patternwork, but I note that Gilbert’s original wasn’t a solid color either. Maybe something with longer color changes? Not a self-striping, but almost?
Or a, you know, solid :) Hey, I’ve got some kool-aid, I could dye some for you! Heheh…
nova on 18 Oct 2007 at 3:58 am #
I don’t think it’s the *best* pairing, Opal. I think it looks okay; but, it’s not spectacular, and your stuff is usually spectacular and your are usually excited about it. Rip it and move on…and you know, I am not a ripper…
fleegle on 18 Oct 2007 at 5:07 am #
It’s busy and doesn’t do justice to either the yarn or the pattern. But I would put it away for a few weeks and then take a fresh look at it. If you still go “blah,” frog it. Life is short!
Dee on 18 Oct 2007 at 6:25 am #
Not doing it for me either. It’s time for a yarny divorce, I think.
Both will be much happier with different partners.
Nora on 18 Oct 2007 at 9:33 am #
Yes, step back and take deep, even breaths. I know exactly how you feel as I’ve been feeling the same all week. In fact, my next blog post will probably just contain a link back to this one. :)
lobstah on 18 Oct 2007 at 9:45 am #
Hmm, I am going to go against the grain and say that I actually DO like the way it looks. It reminds me of the way light flickers in rippling water. Well if water was a nice bright purple, that is. Maybe I have bad taste though ’cause the consensus seems to be “nay.”
Regardless, if it bothers you to the point that you’re not working on it anymore, it’s probably time to froggy-frog.
Roseann on 18 Oct 2007 at 10:18 am #
I’m curious as to how the sock looks from a distance. I think it will not look so busy and all the pretty patterning will shine through the lovely yarn. You always have the best patterns!
Jane on 19 Oct 2007 at 3:01 am #
Yep. Too busy.Same problem I have with my Peacock Shawl. The lure of varigated yarn is strong but it is really not for everything. Maybe you should knit something else for awhile and then come back and see if you like it better. It did not work for me but my shawl is 2/3 done. It really is frustrating! I feel your pain. If you have a second ball of this yarn, maybe knit something different and if you like that better, rip out this one? I’m just saying.
limedragon :-: Harriet on 19 Oct 2007 at 4:49 am #
That yarn is SO pretty! And I’ve been wanting to knit the pattern, I’m jealous! ;)
One thing to consider is looking at the sock in your hands is different than looking at the socks on one’s foot. If you’ve studied art, you’ll know what I mean.
Wendy on 19 Oct 2007 at 9:34 am #
I like the two together. Normally I would agree that the pattern is too busy for the yarn, but what you have going is kind of hypnotic.
That being said, if you aren’t happy with the combo now, you probably aren’t going to be happier after a few more inches.
Follow your instincts.
Shelly on 20 Oct 2007 at 6:31 am #
That seems too busy- Frog it — call me if you need support to do that too.
I think a more plain color would work great for the pattern. That yarn is really pretty though— maybe something less patterned to show the yarn off?
You are still a Sock Knitting Fiend!!
Kim on 20 Oct 2007 at 2:13 pm #
Kiss them goodbye. That amethyst yarn deserves to be loved as it flows through your fingers. I do like that flowy pattern, though.
Lisa on 23 Oct 2007 at 2:43 am #
You’re right. It’s a little busy. Have you ripped it yet?