Ostrich Fantasy Socks (Free knitting Pattern)

****NOTE: CORRECTION HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE STITCH PATTERN. (that will teach me to take bad notes as I knit!****

I spent some time going over my working notes for the Ostrich Fantasy Sock, and am now ready to share the pattern with you.
The stitch pattern, even though complex looking, is actually quite simple. It is repetitive, but not boring. I knit my socks on circular needles, but will add directions for the pattern to be worked on dpts. So if you've knit plain socks and feel comfortable, this a great pattern!




Ostrich Fantasy Sock

Materials: Fleece Artist , Merino 2/6 in Ruby Red, dpts or circulars in US1
Gauge: over stockinette 8st/inch

(Note that two sizes are provided a small and a medium (between parenthesis). The small fits a petite person, with ankle circumference at the joint under 8 inches, and the other number ankles at about 9 inches. If you are in between, I recommend the larger size as lace is tighter than the traditional stockinette, If you require a larger or a smaller size find a smaller or a larger multiple of 16 and add 1. You will cast on the multiple of 16, and add the extra stitch right after the rib section.)

Ostrich Feather stitch pattern (adapted to circular knitting from a Barbara Walker stitch):
R1-R3: Knit
R4: (K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End (SSK) 2 times , Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R5-R7: Knit
R8:(K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End (SSK) 2 times (, Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R9-11: Knit
R12: (K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End SSK (2 times), Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R13-15: Knit
R16: (K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End SSK (2 times), Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R17-19: Knit
R20: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.
R21-23: Knit
R24: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.
R25-27: Knit
R28: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.
R29-31: Knit
R32: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.

CUFF: Cast on 64 (80) stitches. Divide the stitches into 2 equal groups for circulars needles, or 16, 16,32 (20,20,40), for 4dpts, or for 5spts 16 (20) on each needle. Join round and knit in K2 P2 rib for 1 1/2".

LEG; In the first round after the ribbed cuff, increase 1 stitch to have 65 (81) stitches. (This only happens once, in the first round. After that just follow the stitch pattern knitting on 65(81) stitches. Repeat rounds 1-32 2 times (64 rows).

HEEL FLAP: You will continue the pattern on 33 (41) instep stitches,and knit the heel flap on 32(40) stitches. Knit row 1 of stitch pattern on the first 32 stitches, and take the 33rd stitch from the other needle. Knit the heel flap on the remaining 32 stitches. R1: (SL 1, K1) Repeat until end of row
R2: SL 1, purl until end of row
Reapeat R1 and R2 unti heel flap is a little shorter than it is wide.

TURNING HEEL:
R1: SL 1, knit 16 (20) stitches, SSK, K1 turn
R2: SL 1, purl 4, p2tog, P1, turn
R3: SL 1, knit to one stich of gap, SSK, K1, turn
R4: SL 1, purl to one stitch of gap, P2tog, turn
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches are worked.
Knit one row.

GUSSET:

For Circulars:Pick up and knit 1 stitch of every single slipped stitch on the side of the heel flap. Pick up one stitch at the intersection of the heel flap and instep. Knit 1/2 of the instep stiches following row 2 on the stitch pattern. For circulars: Put both needles to rest, and transfer 1/2 of the heel stitches from one needle to the other. Go back to your working yarn,and with needle with open gap on the heel flap, knit the remaining instep stitches following row 2 of the stitch pattern. PLace marker. Pick up one stitch at the intersection of the intep and heel flap, pick up one stitch for every slipped stitch along heel flap, knit 1/2 of the heel stitches. The beginning of your round should be at the center of the heel. Count your stitches. You should have equal amounts on each needle if you are using circulars.

For dpts: With needle#1 Pick up and knit 1 stitch for every slipped stitch along heel flap, one stich at intersection of heel flap and instep, with needle #2 knit instepo stitches following pattern, or if using 5 dpts, split the instep stitches over needle #2 and needle# 3, with needle 4, pick 1 stitch at intersection of instep and heel flap, pick up and knit 1 stitch foir every slipped stitch, knit half of the heel stitches. Decreases will happen at the end of needle #1, and at the beginning of needle #3 if you are using 4 dpts. If you are using 5 dpts, needle #1 carries heel and heel flap stitches, instep stitches are divided over needles 2 and 3, and needle 4 carries the other heel flap and heel stitches.

Knit to 2 stitches of the first marker for circulars or end of needle #1 if using dpts, K2tog, Slip marker. Knit in pattern until next marker, slip marker, K2tog, knit to end for circulars. For dpts, knit in pattern for the instep stitches, and decrease at the beginning of the last dpt.


SHAPING GUSSET:
Note: the instep stiches will follow the stitch pattern at all times. You will be doing gusset decreases on even rows of the pattern.
R1: Knit to 3 stitches of first marker or end of needle, K2tog, K1, (slip marker for circulars only). Knit instep stiches , (slip second marker for circulars only), (beginning of needle #3 or #4 for dpts) K1, SSK, knit to end.
R2: Knit even.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you are back to your original number of stitches (65 or 81).

FOOT: While keeping the stitch pattern going on the top of the foot, and knitting in stockinette for the sole,knit the foot until when trying the sock on, it is 1 1/2 inches away from the tip of your longest toe.

TOE DECREASES: Knit both top and bottom of toe in stockinette stitch.

For circulars:
R1: Knit to 3 stitches of first marker, K2tog, K1, slip marker, K1, SSK, knit to 3 stitches of next marker, K1, SSK, knit to end of round.
R2: Knit even.
Repeat round 1 and 2 for one inch, then repeat round 1 for every round until you have 8 stitches left on one needle, and 9 on the other.
Rearrange the stitches: K2, K2tog, K1 (that takes care of the extra stitch), slip next 4 stitches to other needle, K8, slip next 4 stitches to other needle. You may remove the marker. Your sock should not be in profile any more, but rather face you. Close toes using Kitchener stitch.

For 4 dpts: knit stiches on needle #1, renumber needles. Instep is on needle 1, and sole stitches are split on needle #2 and #3.
R1: needle #1: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. Needle # 2: K1 SSk, knit to end. Needle #3 knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
R2 knit.
Continue for 1 inch repesting R1 and R2, then decrease every round. Take care of the extra stitch by repeat a decrease in the appropriate location while knitting an extra round. Place stitches on 2 needles and close toe using kitchener stitch.

For 5dpts: knit stitches on needle 1. Beginnning of round has changed. Renumber needles. Instep is now on needles #1 and 2, and sole stitches on 3 an4.
R1: Needle #1: K1, SSK, knit to end. Needle #2: Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1. Needle #3: K1, SSK, knit to end. Needle #4: Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
R2: Knit. Proceed as for 4dpts.

Pattern designed by Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer inspired by a Barbara Walker stitch.
Copyright Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer, 2007.
Pattern is for personal use only, and cannot be reproduced for commercial purposes.

Ostrich Fantasy Socks

I had a great weekend, full of knitting!
I finished the "Ostrich Fantasy socks" for Alexandra, and they look amazing.
Yarn used:Fleece artist , Merino 2/6, Fingering weight, color Ruby Red
Pattern: My own, inspired by Barbara Walker

The stitch pattern is easy to memorize, and follows the ankle and foot gracefully without any odd pulling. It was a very satisfying and relaxing sock to knit. The yarn is incredibly soft, has a beautiful texture, and is very agreable to work. The colors have great depth.

Alexandra wore them for the first time yesterday, and proudly showed them to the members of the Knitsmiths group. The Knitsmiths are a vibrant, fun group of knitters that meet in a bookstore in Brookline every Sunday. Alexandra and I joined them for the first time yesterday, and we loved it. I even sat next to a Smith college graduate, and we exchanged fond memories of our days there. There were hat knitters, sweater knitters, and of course lots of sock knitters. Stariel was there, she had just come back from sock camp and showed us the great Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock yarns she got at camp.
While I was with the Knitsmiths, I started a new sock using yarn I purchased at Mind's Eye Yarns , in Cambridge. The yarn is hand-dyed by the owner of the store, Lucy, and is a blend of Merino and Tencel. The color makes me think of leaves. So I decided to add an embossed leaf pattern to it, and I am toying with the idea of embroidering...

It is the Boston Marathon today, but the weather is a little too wet for my taste, and the wind pins you in place, so I'll stay home. The children are working on their respective school reports. In short, it is the most perfect day for knitting. "Rose Garden Socks" here I come!

Petrification...

This morning I have writer's block. I start a sentence and I delete it. I think I am going to write about one thing, but dismiss it as stupid and uninteresting. This picture of the petrified forest accurately reflects my thoughts at the moment. The scattered trunks are the sentences I threw away...I find the children noisy, and everybody is trying to talk to me at the same time.



I had a dream last night, that my basement had been transformed into a movie theatre, but the renovation was only partly completed...Hold on a moment while I read the play my son is writing about King Arthur, "Wonderful, darling..." Where was I? Oh, yes! The movie theatre was only partly completed, the ruby red rug did not reach the end of the room, and there were only a few rows of seats...Excuse me for a moment as I look at my son's lego sword, "Really cool Honey..." So there were only a few rows of seats, and a whole bunch of children came in, 6 of them, they sat on the front row, not leaving space for me and Rolfe... " Why are you crying honey? Sheridan give the doll back to Skye..."
No room for Rolfe and I? Sometimes I guess it does look like that is true. What do you think?!


So there I am, wondering what the hell is causing the petrification? The computer is sitting on a tiny corner of a table covered with the result of days of unattended accumulation. There I am sitting, trying to think what could be causing the block, and the reason is staring me in the face. The house looks like there was a nuclear explosion in it, and I am trying really hard to ignore the fact. I have to clean, but I don't want to, I try really hard to do anything but that, and in its mysterious ways, my brain freezes so that I cannot engage in any other activity! Damn brain! Forgive my language!


See the reason I don't want to clean is simple, there is the sock, Alexandra's gorgeous, luscious, poppy red, wavy, ostrich feather sock. I am half way down the foot, so close to the end. I could just forget about the mess and knit the sock. Indecision is the problem. I am petrified because I cannot chose to either knit or clean. So right now, I am pathetically sitting in the messy house with a sad unfinished sock!


Hey, I know, since I cannot clean , nor knit, maybe I'll just plant tulips! What do you think, Doc? Bad case of startitis?

DPTS or Circulars, That...is the Question!

Today was a hell of a rainy day in Boston, and to celebrate I decided to take the children out to visit a yarn store in downtown Boston, called Windsor Button. Before I continue with my very philosophical debate on the merits of either types of needles, I want to say a few words about this store. The store is huge, and has a great selection of yarns, from the simplest cottons, to the most luxurious silks, like sea silk, from the thinnest lace yarn to the thickest yarns, etc... They have enough of the yarns in each colorway to knit a big project, and I have to say they have a wonderful color selection. They also carry zillions of buttons. The part that delighted my children the most was playing in the huge button box, shuffling the millions of buttons. It turned out to be a little less fun, when they dropped many of them on the ground! The staff was great, even at that moment!

I did not buy yarn, because I was afraid the house might sink into the ground if I added just a single ball of yarn to my collection! Rather, as I was browsing the needles, I decided to purchase short bamboo dpts in size 1. Me buying dpts? Not only did I buy them while sober, I actually thought that it would be cool to try them out. So I rushed the kids to the nearest fast food restaurant, and transfered my sock to the dpts. By the time I was done with my bigmac, the sock was back on the circulars, and the dpts were returned to their package. It is always a good idea to carry toothpicks in your bag, isn't it?

I know the great Yarn Harlot hates knitting socks on circulars but there are many advantages to them. Nothing pokes you while you knit. I hate being poked. It reminds me way too much of when my violin teacher used to poke me with a knitting needle to punish me for wrong movements! With the circulars you only have two potential ladder spots. Not being a firefighter, I have no need for ladders. With the circulars, you do not drop 10 stitches at once when your lovely children decide to suddenly hug you before you even have time to yell wait, and put your knitting down. If I were Kung Fu I might love the thought of being able to break wood sticks at the touch of my fingers, but since I am not, I have no particular fancy for that hobby! Can you tell I am slightly partial to circulars?


As it was still raining, and the sock, the circulars and I needed some quality time after the dpt fiasco, we decided to make a stop at Borders. The children grabbed their favorite books, while I apologized profusely to the circulars, promised eternal allegiance to them, and begged them to treat me and the sock nicely!

Petaluma Knitters Rock!

If you are in the Petaluma area, and love to knit, why not join the yayayarndivas? They are a fun group of people that meet at the Aqus Cafe on Saturdays. They knit at all levels, and most of all they have a great time. You can find info on their group at yayayarndivas.meetup.com. I even joined the group, which on my part is a little bit of dreaming since I live in Boston. A few thousand miles, sheesh, a detail, as Lucy would say! Yayayarndivas, I will be with you in spirit!

Knit and Make a Difference for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children...

*****Note: Scroll down for mini sock pattern*****

Today, I want to write about something very special, and dear to my heart, and I am going to ask you for your knitting help.
When I was still in California, and working in my yarn shop, I met a wonderful woman named Kathleen, and her two daughters Victoria and Gabriella. Knitting brought us together, and then we became friends.

Kathleen suffers from progressive hearing loss, and because the condition can be inherited at birth, Kathleen had both girls tested, and the youngest one, Gabriella, tested positive. Kathleen has been a wonderful mother, creating the most supportive environment for her daughters, and working with school officials, and healthcare organizations to ensure her youngest daughter' s needs were met. In the process, she realized that resources for families of Deaf or Hard of Hearing children were few and far apart, and she decided to form a non-profit, DHH C.A.R.E.. She writes: " Being in the mainstream school like many hearing impaired kids they get scattered. Then there is no opportunities for them to get together for playdays and shared activities. Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts, soccer, softball. All these activities that may seem simple would be great for these Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids. Along with these things we would provide services to family members. What their rights are as a parent with a deaf child. Getting ASL (American Sign Language) classes, getting help with going to the dentist, doctors office and many other services. Raising a hearing child is VERY different from a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. I know from experience." (Kathleen's brand new blog is http://kwc-adventures.blogspot.com/).

Kathleen and I were talking about fund-raising for her non-profit, and we thought that you could help. All you need is left over sock yarn, your favorite needles, and you can even help if you have second sock syndrome! You do not have to knit matching socks, just unique little ones! Kathleen needs you to knit miniature socks, and send them to her or to me. She and I will apply your donated miniature socks to greeting cards, and raise funds for the children, by selling the cards through yarn stores.
Just think how easy it is to help, and how, one more time, knitters can make a difference in the world! Kathleen, and all the children and their families, who thanks to you will receive the support they need, thank you for your help with knitting the socks, and passing the message along to as many sock knitters as possible.

I designed this simple top down pattern for the project. I am assuming you already know how to knit socks, but if you do not, or need more detailed guidelines, let me know through the comments.

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Materials: left over sock yarn, circular or dpts size1
Gauge: 9 stitches/inch

Cast on 20 stitches, and divide stitches over your needles. Join the round. Knit for 1/2 inch in K1P1 rib, continue in stockinette stitch until the leg including the rib section is 1 1/2 inch long.

Heel flap: Work back and forth in stockinette stitch on 10 stitches only, while slipping the first stitch of every row as if to purl. Continue until heel flap is 1/2 inch long.

Heel Turn:
R1: slip 1 as if to purl knit 5, ssk, k1, turn
R2: Slip 1 as if to purl, purl 4, p2tog, p1 turn
R3: slip 1 as if to purl, knit 4, ssk, turn
R4: Slip 1 as if to purl, purl till last 2 stitches, p2tog, turn

Knit one row.

Pick up and knit 1 stitch in every slipped stitch
along heel flap, pick up 1 stitch at the intersection
of the heel flap and the instep, knit the instep
stitches pick up 1 stitch at the intersection
of the instep and heel flap, pick up and knit one
stitch per slipped stitch along the heel flap, knit
the 1/2 of the heel stitches. Your sock should be in profile, with either half of the stitches of each circular needle, or split over three dpts, and the beginning of the round should be at the center of the heel flap.

Shaping the gusset with circulars:
Place markers to separate the 10 gusset stitches ( knit till 5 sts are left on needle one, PM. On needle 2, knit 5, PM, knit to end.)
R1: knit to 3 stitches of the marker, K2tog, k1, slip
marker, knit to end of needle, go to second needle,
knit to the marker, slip marker, K1, SSK, knit to the
end of the needle.
R2:Knit
Repeat R1, and R2 until you are back to your original
number of stitches which is 20.

Shaping the gusset for dpts:
Do the above decreases at the end of needle one, and at the beginning of needle 3, alternating decrease round and even round.

Foot: Continue to knit in stockinette stitch without decreasing until the foot
of the sock is 1 3/4 inch.

Toe decreases for circulars:
R1: knit to 3 stitches of the marker, k2tog, k1, slip
marker, k1, ssk, knit to the end of the needle, repeat
the same decreases on the second needle.
R2: knit.
Repeat row 1 and 2 until 4 stitches are left on each
needle. Break yarn and with a darning needle gather
the remaining stitches.

Toe decreases for dpts:
Rename needles: With instep stitches on needle 1, 5 sole stitches on needle 2, and 5 sole stitches on needle 3.
R1:
needle 1: K1, ssk, knit to last three, k2tog, k1
Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit to end
Needle 3: knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
R2: knit
Proceed as for circular needles method.

Weave in ends.

****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Send your finished socks to:
KWC c/o Sonia
9760 Brooks
> Road S. Windsor CA 95492

Traditions or Destiny...

Tradition, la-la-la-la-la---la--- as Topol would say. Destiny, destiny, no escaping destiny, as Dr. Frankenstein would scream.

In the Woody Allen fashion, if this were a movie, I would insert the inevitable flashback. I would appear as a child, surrounded by my father and my mother's family. The ones discussing the making of the sweaters, the others the selling of the sweaters, while my mother would pat me on the head, telling me I would not knit sweaters or sell them, because I was going to go to school. So there I was, dressed in an orange and yellow knit sweater, thinking that I could escape the power of the ancestors. Mind you, my mother's point of view, and rejection of all items knit, or made of wool could be understandable.

You see, my family miraculously survived the war in France, and like many other Jews, it took time for them to rebuild their lives. When my mother was about 6 years old, they decided they could go with the children on vacation. So they went to the northern beaches. Being Mediterranean Jews, North meant cold. So my grandmother got some nice old-fashioned wool, and knit the children some warm bathing suits. Imagine, my mother and her younger cousins, scratching constantly, because the wool was shall we say of the vintage sort, with the women of the family, blindly blaming the sand for the itchiness. They sent the kids swimming to get rid of the "dirt", and I think this is when my mother swore never to knit, and that she would break the traditions. The wool drank the water, half emptying the sea, and got so heavy that when the children got out of the water, the bathing suits had streched all the way to their knees. I can hear the voice of my grandmother "What did you do to the bathing suits, such good bathing suits, no more playing roughly in the water! Have respect for what you own..."

I did learn to knit. Whenever my mother would leave me with the ancestors, the knitting needles would magically appear, as well as the balls of yellow and orange. " Do you want Mamie to teach you how to knit?" So I learned. I developped sort of a double life, bookworm at home, knitter at my grandmother's. Even though my fate remained uncertain for a while,
like Dr. Frankenstein, traditions pulled me back in, but this time completely. I may not stand next to my knitted sock, yelling "it's alive, it's alive!", but I do run around the house, parading it, and showing it to every person I can, saying it's a...mazing, no?!