Adirondack Socks

The Fall 2009 issue of Interweave Crochet is previewed on the Interweave website. My Adirondack Socks are included in this issue!

Loom Knitted Sock

Tunisian Crochet

I have been facinated with Tunisian crochet for several years. I love doing it and I love the end result. It is a small niche within crochet and it has been hard to find a wide array of books on the technique. Stitch bibles and encyclopedias usually carry a chapter or section on Tunisian, but the information only whets my whistle.

A new book has been published on this fun technique: Tunisian Crochet: The look of Knitting with the ease of Crocheting by Sharon Hernes Silverman. This book is a great reference for someone who is new to Tunisian as well as those of us who have loved it for some time. The first section of the book is a How To that includes pictures of the stitches being made and where to place the hook for the various stitches. It also includes information on decreasing.

The next section is a project gallery. These projects range from home decor to clothing. The variety of projects provides lots of opportunities to practice and hone your skills. The pattern instructions are well-written and easy to understand.

There are other great books and booklets that are available on Tunisian, but this book is the most complete and comprehensive book I've found for someone who is interested in learning and developing this technique--a one-stop-shopping book.

New Design!!

I'm very excited . . . I have a design in the Fall 2009 issue of Interweave Crochet! The issue hasn't hit the stands yet, but you can see the cover and the list of projects and designers. My design is the Adirondak Socks.

Loom Knitting Pros and Cons

Was this venture into a new area worthwhile? I'd say a hearty Yes, but there are some issues to consider.

The Process

I enjoy the process of knitting on the loom. The knit stitch is easy, the purl stitch requires slightly more effort, but is not taxing. I'm working on a sock now for my husband that is a simple stitch pattern--a K3, P1 rib--and that allows me to get into a nice rhythm that makes the work satisfying.

As with any project, the more complex the stitch patterning, the more attention is required during the knitting.

The Equipment

Both looms are well-made and beautiful pieces of equipment. The adjustable loom is rectangular and I've found that it is not as easy to get into that "flow" as with the round loom. There is a small section of the adjustable loom that I find somewhat difficult to get the knitting tool into to make the stitches and that interrupts my pleasure.

But the adjustable loom provides flexibility to make socks of different sizes as well as socks with stitch patterns other than multiples of 4 (i.e., 6-st, 10-st, 12-st).

The Conclusion

If your sock-knitting will be limited to one size, I'd get the round loom. If your sock-knitting will be limited to two sizes (perhaps husband and wife), I'd get two round looms, one for each size.

If you feel adventure calling, and you plan to make socks for any and all, if you plan to make socks simple and sophisticated, I'd get the adjustable loom.

Loom Knitting

Part 2

I left off with the fact that my loom was too big for my foot. Each loom contains a fixed # of pegs (or stitches) so I was unable to use that loom for a smaller size.

I went back to the Decor Accents website and found that they also make an adjustable sock loom. The # of pegs can be adjusted in increments of 2, providing the flexibility of making socks in a variety of sizes. I promptly ordered that loom.

I grabbed a ball of Berroco Sox that I bought at Fiber Art and set to work, using 64 pegs. I chose an easy pattern that I found on the Decor Accents website. I kept notes of the # of rows for the cuff and for the leg, so that I could duplicate the same on its friend.

I was terribly excited when I completed my first short row heel. It looked great and wasn't as scary as I thought it would be.

The foot of the sock was easier because the sole of the foot was in stockinette st and the upper portion was in the pattern stitch.

The toe is created using the short row method, as in the heel, and I was more confident when I came to that portion. I sailed right through that section as well.

The final step is to sew the toe closed using the Kitchener stitch. That requires some concentration.

All in all, both socks turned out well and I enjoy wearing them.

Tomorrow . . . the pros and cons of the round versus the adjustable looms.

Bobbled Diamonds Pattern Correction

Thanks to loopy1 for catching an error in the printed pattern for the Bobbled Diamonds Afghan in the October 2008 issue of Crochet World.

Row 6 should read:

Ch 1, sc in each of first 2 sts, tr, sc across to last 3 sts, tr, sc in each of last 2 sts, turn.

I hope this correction makes the work go more smoothly and the end product beautiful.