After doing a few repeats of the Rainbow Sock from the new Magknits, I've realized the pattern could be significantly less awkward if worked on a circular needle (or two). I also thought the pattern was a little difficult to visualize when you are first starting out. I felt like I did the first time I ever tried to turn a heel--like there seriously must be at least four steps missing here because this is not making a bit of sense...
So....heres a little tutorial with some hints for working with the magic loop. the same method could be used for working with two circulars if you are up to modifying things a bit more.
All of the pictures that follow have notes in my flickr account that add a lot to the explanation! Click on them-they dont bite!
First, lets look at what is going on with the overall sock. The picture on the pattern page is great but its actually a shot of what the pattern is going to look like from the side.
See the diamond shapes? thats what each short row section of the pattern ends up making. Its an elongated diamond that is at its widest point where you begin and at its points around the other side. Looking at the flickr notes, sections 1, 3 and 5 have a starting point on the other side of the sock (you can see the thing parts of the diamonds almost meeting on the near side) and the even diamonds start where the needles are currently positioned.
As you finish the first section, you'll find yourself magically starting the next short row section on the opposite side of the sock. Every two short row sections gives you an even sock--if you do an odd number, your sock wont be straight!
Ok...so thats enough of the overview. The magknits directions have you work the beginning of the first short row section at the intersection of needles 1 and 4 if you were using DPNs. The best way to position your magic loop/2 circulars is like this:
In any other sock, you would place the stitches of DPN 1 (15 stitches) and DPN 2 (15 stitches) on one side of the circular and the stitches of DPN 3 and 4 together (30 stitches) on the other side. However, because you are working over the DPN 1 and DPN 4 gap in this sock, you want to have those stitches together on one side.
You will need to place two stitch markers--one at each of the starting places for the short row sections. These will be where the tips of the needles in the pictures are crossing in the picture and in the middle of the stitches that are living on the cord on the other side.
This means that the "beginnings" of the short row sections will fall in a place where you have stitches on both needles of the circular. This kind of stinks because it makes the only good stopping point in the pattern (between short row sections) kind of awkward. The best resting point will now be during the "k2 rows straight" between the short row sections. You can knit almost all the way around the second time and leave that last 1/4 of the way around to the beginning of the short row section until you pick up the knitting the next time.
or you could just leave the needles dangling. I live in a house with a nosey baby and two dogs, so I like to keep my knitting as firmly on the needles as possible.
Ok, so lets start on the actual pattern. I'm working short row section 5 here but just pretend its section 1...
First, k2. Simple enough..
then, turn (remember to work the turning stitch!) and purl 3. You should have two purls to the left of the center stitch marker.
turn (remember the turning stitch) and knit to the turned stitch on the left side of the stitch marker. Knit it together with its yarn over and then knit 4 more:
Turn, (work that turning stitch) and purl across to the turned stitch on the left of the stitch marker:
See! you can already see the diamond starting to take shape!
Thats it! continue turning, working the turning stitch and knitting or purling across to the turned stitch on the left side of the stitch marker and knit or purl 4 more after that. Eventually, you will jump the gap and have to work on the stitches that are currently living on the cord. Just keep doing the same method though! When you get to the point where there are only four knit and purl stitches left before stitch marker 2 (the one you place in the middle of the stitches on the cord), the direction will change just a bit and then you'll get to knit two glorious rounds of straight knitting! You'll end up with stitch marker 2 in front of you and you are ready to repeat the short row section!
I hope this helps. I know I screwed up the pattern once before I got it right and I spent quite a while starting a tthe directions before I finally got it! Hopefully these pictures will help whether you are working with DPNs or circulars!
If you have any questions, just leave me a comment here or in Ravelry (my username is fruitychick). I'll answer as best I can!
