The one in which I am back on track

So, here I am - working on this sock and trying to avoid SSS (Second Sock Syndrome). We know that SSS can be fatal (to a pair of socks) as it prematurely splits the socks so that a matched pair (such as they are) is unattainable. So, so sad. . .

Anyway, I thought I'd be there on the Bellatrix pair. When we last visited the pair, the 2nd sock had progressed to the heel flap only to be stymied by a mistake in the pattern (well, really, in the pattern reading by the knitter). Undaunted and unstoppable (after a only a day or two pause in the knitting), the 2nd sock is on its way again. I've made the decision to go with the same heel flap stitch pattern as on the 1st sock (it is nice to have a pair that matches anyhow). The heel flap will be this lovely sl1, k across configuration.

As of a few minutes ago, the heel flap is finished, the edge stitches picked up, the gusset knit and decreased and the body of the foot has been started. We (me and the sock) are in to the stockinette (appropriate, no?) stitches on the sole of the foot and the pattern stitches on the instep. Now, it we are inches away (okay, many inches away as I wear size 9.5 shoes) from having a pair (yes, a PAIR) of socks!!! Now, what to knit next?

The one in which I slept

I have been having such trouble with my body clock. My original night owl has been spreading her wings and staying up until all hours of the night. I go back to school on Monday, January 5th, 2009 and I am worried about how I am going to make it through the days staying awake. Hopefully, once I am back in the swing of things, I'll keep more regular hours.

Today, I got up earlier than usual (9 a.m.) and rushed to lunch with a friend and then to Circle. Today is Twelveth Night and we were celebrating. This is the time to divine into the future; to use oracles and tarot cards and whatever other divination tools are useful to gain, hopefully, insights into the near future path. We were fortunate enough to be able to use a spirit board and tarot cards to garner some insights and advice for 2009.

Anyhow, I got home and just collapsed. I went upstairs to check email around 6:30 p.m. and change clothing. I remember crawling into bed to get warm and then I woke up at 11:30 p.m. It is 1:30 a.m. and I am headed back to bed. Must be that I need the rest. Maybe the looking into the future took the steam out of me in the present. Well, it is off to snooze land. Dreams await.

The one in which I learn humility

Okay, okay. . . I'll admit it. I was getting a bit smug. I'd started the 2nd Bellatrix sock and was just speeding through them. Once memorized (and that's easy) the pattern was a breeze. It was time to start the heel flap and I was feeling good. The 1st sock had been sitting for a few months and I wanted to get them finished. After all, what is more comfy than handknit socks? And, in a Michigan winter, what is warmer? Also, I've been studying like crazy and it was high time that the right side of my brain gave the left side a break and did a little creating.


So, anyway, the knitting is feeling great and the leg of the sock was finished. It was late in the evening but I was on a roll and didn't feel like putting the needles down in favor of sleep so I began the heel flap. I readied the sock and dove right in. That night, I did 22 rows of the 24 required. I was feeling good. The heel flap was tight but it looked good and I thought it would be good and strong. See?

Not too bad, right? Well, that's what I thought until I sat down to knit again tonight. I thought I'd just breeze through it and turn the heel. First, though, I wanted to see the pair of socks together so I pulled out sock #1 in order to see the beauty of my work. There I was, being all smug again. I sat for a few moments and just stared at sock #1. Doggone it!!! The heel flaps didn't match. See? Here is heel flap #1. It is pretty but they just aren't the same.

Heel flap #2 (the first one shown) looks ribbed whereas #1 does not. What the heck??!?!?!? So, what did I do (other than get a little cocky)? I picked up the pattern and there it was, in the instructions. "Rw 1: Sl 1 purlwise, k1 to end. Rw 2: Sl1 purlwise, p to end." I read them and reread them. Cripes! I'd done the heel flaps differently. On #1, I sl1 and then knit to the end, turned, sl1 and purled to the end. Sock #2 was sl1, k1 then sl1, p1 - alternating stitches throughout each row. Double cripes!!!

It was time to figure this out, obviously. I didn't want to frog all 22 rows but I couldn't wear socks with different heel flaps. Well, I could and no one would notice - but I would know. I wasn't sure what to do so, I went to Ravelry (of course!). I searched under "Bellatrix socks" and found more than 400 offerings to view. I began to look and felt comfortable that heel flap #1 was correct. That felt good, although it meant ripping back 22 rows (albeit short rows). Then, after several examples of Bellatrixes (Bellatrixi?), I began to see alternative heel flaps. Some folks used the sock #1 method and others had used sock #2 method. Triple cripes!!! Now what? It was time for a decision. Of course, I wasn't going to change sock #1 so that meant that I could rip back or mismatch. Cripes again!!! It was time to go afroggin'. :-(

I spent a good hour or more (interrupted with dinner, Dexter episodes and doggie/kitty petting) to get back to the beginning of the heel flap on sock #2. I want to knit more now but just don't have the energy or the confidence. Tomorrow evening, I'll get back to it. My lesson here is to be more humble, to remember to read the pattern through (and ask questions) before going off with my needles half-cocked. Now, on to rest for heel flap version 2.5.

Bright blessings to all.