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.