Sideways Socks

Traditionally socks are knit in a tube either from the cuff down or toe up.  Some people were clever enough to turn tradition on its head and figure out how to knit a sock from side to side; i.e. vertical striping on socks.  Intriguing.  Since this is sock month, I thought I would challenge myself by trying something new (to me).

Pattern: Sidewinders: a Perpensockular Pattern available for free on NonaKnits.

Yarn: Twinkle Toes by Chameleon Colorworks
50% Merino, 50% Tencel
1 skein (approx 320 yards) in colorway Ophelia

Needle size: US 2

The pattern is available as a sequence of blog entries complete with photos and bonus motivational pep talks.  It's comprehensive and well written (thanks, Nona!). I would suggest copy/pasting into a word processing document to make printing a heck of a lot easier.  Unless you like knitting in front of a computer.

I usually don't bother doing a gauge swatch for socks since I can just try'em on as I go and modify as needed (most sock patterns come in a limited range of sizes anyway so modifications are usually needed for a customized fit).  But this sock comes in 12! sizes and is knit in one piece flat.  And then grafted together in the back like a corset for your calves/ankles/feet.  So in this case, gauge does matter.

RS view: cuff is to the left/ toes to the right

Actually, the whole thing kind of reminds me of a flying squirrel.

WS view: a flying squirrel with a hoodie

The hoodie is where the toes go.

Grafting's a pain in the ass.  When done properly, it can be like knitting magic (no seam).  When done improperly, it just looks like a hot mess.   Trouble is, that it gets so rhythmic (knit off, purl on, purl off, knit on) that I lose track of where I am.  Apparently, there is a version of these socks that decreases the amount of grafting - maybe I'll have to try that at a later date.