The sock takes shape

This sock project has been chock full of learning for me.  This is partly because of the pattern, but mostly (I think) because of my size alterations to the pattern.  I started the toe 3 times before getting it right, and the heel twice.  I’m going to do the heel a bit differently on sock #2 and it should result in perfection.  This one is imperfect but it’s going to work, and I’m not ripping it again!One thing you can see clearly in these photos is the “jog” along the side of the sock – at least on the foot.  The pattern calls for the start-of-round to be in the middle of the sole, but I was lazy and just made it at the start of one of my circular needles.  I think I will change that on sock #2, also, so that the jog is on the bottom of the foot.  Once I turned the heel and resumed the plaid, I relocated the start-of-round to the center of the back, so you don’t see it on the leg.  It will also be prettier when I weave in all my ends.At 60 stitches around, this sock fits like a glove.  But it FITS – hooray!  I was careful to strand very loosely on the horizontal stripes, and it seems to be working.  I need to strand even more loosely on the first stripe after the heel turn – that’s the one that goes around the largest part of the foot.   

I’ve never does a heel flap on a toe-up sock before.  Like the toe, the heel is worked in eye-of-partridge stitch for extra strength.  Whenever I darn S1’s socks, it is on the heel – so I think this is a great idea.

I really do enjoy knitting these vertical climbing strands.