Let's Get Ready for Argyles!

We are hoping to schedule an SnB for next weekend, but can't be completely sure yet.  In the meantime, it would be good to gather your supplies. Here's a list:

1.  Sock yarn in at least 3 colors.  You will need a lot of one color for the main parts of the sock and then you will need small amounts for the diamonds and lines.  You can also use 5 colors as shown above.  It doesn't actually make it any more difficult.  You will still have the same number of bobbins...

2. Bobbins.  You will need 8 bobbins if you decide to knit the lines into the pattern.  (Some people like to put the lines in by using the duplicate stitch after the sock is done. This way you would need only 4 bobbins. Doing the duplicate stitch later may help cut back on tangled up bobbins...)  A lot of people think bobbins are silly and prefer to do a special little butterfly skein.  I like the bobbins, but I should try it!  Here is a video on how to do that.  

3. Needles.  The argyle part of this pattern will be knit flat.  So you will need either straight or circular needles to knit back and forth on.  You will aslo need a set double-pointed needles - in the same size - to finish the foot of the sock.  Determine the size of your needles based on your yarn.  I like #1's for socks, but you may prefer something else.

I have worked up charts (in Excel!) that have an argyle cuff in several sizes.  So far I have charts with 71stitches, 67 stitches, 63 stitches and a baby one with 27 stitches. You will have to knit a swatch to determine which one will work for you.  I could make more charts.  I can email these to you or just print them out an bring them to the SnB.  Last time we knit these, we used the 63 stitch pattern and it was just a little small, that's why I made up a few different sizes.

The standard finished sock circumference sizes are:

Woman S  7.5"

Woman M  8"

Woman L  8.5"

Man S  9"

Man M  9.5"

Man L  10"

Your sock should have a little negative ease, so it could be about 1/2 inch less than your foot circumference. You measure your foot at the arch.  But probably if you are generally a medium sized woman, you can just go with the measurement above.

So, if you are game, get your supplies and knit a swatch!