Greenhorn (plus giveaway)
So if you’ve been here any length of time at all, you know I’m a firm believer in top down socks with a heel flap. But…every once and a while, the urge to do something a little (but let’s be real…only a little) bit different strikes me. Greenhorn was one of those times!
These are actually a very mellow way to depart from traditional top down heel flap socks. The leg is the same, the foot is the same, just the heel and gusset are handled a bit differently. Instead of working flat over half the stitches to make a heel flap, then picking up stitches to make a gusset, you keep working in the round, increasing on each side of the foot to make the heel flap, gusset, and top of your foot all at once. It’s kind of nifty!
The fit is similar, there’s just a bit more working in the round (which I generally prefer) and a bit less picking up stitches (which may not be my very favorite knitting task ever). And if you’re using a striping yarn, you get a bit less of a break in the pattern than you do with a heel flap (let’s be fair…it’s not no break in the pattern, just less). Plus, you know, it’s fun to try something new!
Though just in case you’re Really Quite Set on doing a traditional heel flap, there are instructions in the pattern for that too. I promise I don’t mind if you’re feeling traditional!
These are made in Space Cadet’s Oriana in the color Fizz. As far as I can tell, it’s the world’s most perfect yarn for tiny cables. The stitch definition is so sharp you’ll stab yourself. And when a yarn has teeny tiny plies like this, it’s super round, and you don’t get distracted by the shadows you sometimes see on a 2 or 3 ply yarn (one of these days we’ll have a very dorky discussion about this…but for now just trust me, this type of yarn makes tiny cables pop).
When they sent the yarn for these (they’re nice…they send me yarn…it makes me swoony), they very kindly sent along an extra skein, so I’m going to make one of you very very happy and send it your way. Just leave a comment telling me how you feel about sock construction. Why mess with tradition? The weirder the better? A little variation is fine but nothing too crazy? There’s no right or wrong answer, I just like to know what you guys like!
And for everyone I can’t send yarn to (I’m just not cool enough to get yarn to everyone, sorry!), I’ve got a coupon for this pattern. You can use the code SHARP to get 10% off the hat between now and Friday. Just put Greenhorn in your ravelry cart, click on the ‘use a coupon code’ button, and type in the code SHARP. You’ll see the change in price reflected right away.
Comments left between now and the end of the day (eastern time) Friday, May 19, 2017 will be entered to win. I’ll pick a winner, contact them to get their addresses, and arrange to send yarn their way. Be sure to use a real email address so I can contact you if you’ve won (I won’t do anything with those email addresses besides notify the winners). If I do email you, I need to hear back from you within 72 hours or I will pick a new winner and contact them. Sorry, but I can only ship physical prizes to US addresses.
I’m looking forward to trying this new method, just to keep the old brain working properly!
I tend to be a toe-up knitter (either FLK heel or gusset and heel flap), partly because I hate the long cast on, especially trying to make sure it’s not twisted when joining, and partly because I dislike the picking up along the gusset. This heel construction looks interesting though, and I’d like to try it.
I haven’t knit many socks, but I like the idea of toe-up so as to use as much of the yarn as possible without worrying about running out at the toe of the second sock. I’m still learning about different heels, though.
I have currently done a few top down with an afterthought heel but am willing to try something new. The pattern and yarn are lovely!
Hi! Your socks are very, very nice and fresh. I like to try different heels and this looks very interesting, have to do it.
I make 6 to 10 pairs of knit socks every year. I am a traditionalist too when it comes to knitting socks. but lately toe up has been niggling in the back of my mind. And this green.. I need to make socks in this color!
Love that green! Some day I’m gonna learn toe up socks. Not today.
What a great color!!!
I am in the try anything camp. I joined a sock club one year just to have the chance to learn new techniques, stitches, and play with new-to-me yarns. And, boy!, did I learn. I think the first pattern taught me three new things and it just built from there!
I’m always up for trying something new! I hate to think I’d miss a game-changer because I’m stuck somewhere else! Looking forward to purchasing this pattern when I get home and casting on when I finish my ensnared!!
Socks are the best ever for variation because they are quick to make and have interesting angles to play with. And Oriana? Nirvana!
Love ’em all!
I generally prefer traditional….unless I’m using striping yarn and then I’m willing to do crazy to get as close as possible to preserving the striping 🙂
I love knitting all different kinds of socks. I like to experiment with different types of construction! Love these socks, and the green is definitely the color!
I absolutely love the look of a traditional heel flap and gusset, but find the awkward distribution of stitches after picking up stitches along the flap really uncomfortable to knit. I wonder if this heel would be a bit easier! Thanks so much for innovation, and the giveaway :D.
As a new sock knitter, I stick to plain socks with twisted rib cuff. Hope to try more challenging socks soon.
That Fizz colorway!💚💚💚
I’m only a traditionalist in as much as I will only ever knit top down socks, but that’s mostly because I can’t make toe up fit my weird shaped feet no matter how hard I try. I don’t mind the heel flap method but what I really like about the Fleegle heel and it’s variants is how it allows you to have beautifully patterned heels as well as legs/feet. Beautiful Spring green yarn, very kind to offer a giveaway, both you and Space Cadet.
I’m new to sock knitting so I am still experimenting to find my “go-to” heel, toe, cast on, and cast off. It’s very interesting. Thanks for a new thing to try!
Cuff down and traditional. I will go for fun colors and stripes.
Is this a strong heel? I’ve made a few socks that use that technique and it’s just like what you described. I love playing with my sock constructions, especially with various ways to do heels and toes.
In socks, as in everything, I am a fan of novelty! I thought Cat Bordhi’s New Pathways book was pretty amazing and eye opening, and I’ve been wanting to make Double Heelix, Longitudinal, Skew and Carousel because of their cool construction. Now I have to add Greenhorn to the list! And that color…swoon.
I LOOOOOVE THAT GREEN!!! It just shouts out SPRING!
I haven’t had a lot of experience with making socks, so I usually stick to top down. But I’m definitely game to try something new, especially such a beautiful pattern.
I like to try different things but when it comes to sock construction, I keep to my tried and true toe-up or top-down patterns. Too much time is invested in sock construction to take a chance on really weird methods.
I really, really love different construction techniques; I’ve knitted some really strange things just to see what would happen with a new way of doing things. I’m much more interested in making the thing than in wearing it. Hence the obsession with techniques
I’m a bit of a traditionalist. However, I’m open to trying something new, at least once!
I think they look wonderful!!