Cleave (plus giveaway)

There’s something about taking a classic like a ribbed sock (comfy, easy, fits perfectly) and adding just a little bit of a something special that gets me every time.  The special bit could be dropped stitches or lace or even a fancy cuff.  Whatever you pick, it’s always more fun than it has any right to be.  For Cleave, I went with an absolutely delightful cable and a little bit of a twist for the heel.

The construction on these is really fun.  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.  The fit is similar to a traditional heel flap, 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).  I think you’ll have fun with it!

Though of course, if you’re really not in the mood for something new, I’ve got you covered.  The pattern includes instructions for how to make them with a traditional heel as well (and I promise I won’t mind…I totally get that sometimes sticking with something familiar is the way to go).

These are made in String Theory’s Caper Sock, which is an absolutely delightful yarn.  I discovered String Theory when I kept seeing gorgeous socks on ravelry, clicking through to investigate the yarn, and finding their name again and again.  When I was planning these socks, I couldn’t decide between two of their colors, and so got both.  I  ended up using the lighter of the two for the pattern (just because it’s a bit easier to photograph light yarn if we’re being honest), and that means I have the other one to send off to one of you.

If you think it should be you, just leave me a comment telling me how you feel about ribbed socks.  Are they your go-to favorite?  Too boring to bear?  Ok so long as there’s something going on to add a little excitement?  There’s no right or wrong answer, I just like to know what you 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 Cleave.  You can use the code RIBBED to get 10% off between now and Friday.  Just put Cleave in your ravelry cart, click on the ‘use a coupon code’ button, and type in the code RIBBED.  You’ll see the change in price reflected right away.

Oh, and for anyone paying really shockingly close attention, a version of this pattern first came out in New Directions in Sock Knitting way back in February of last year (as always, amazon links are affiliate links).  The rights have reverted to me, and I wanted to add in the info about how to work this with a traditional heel, so I thought I’d bring them out as an individual pattern.  But just in case you already have that book, you’ve got a copy in there already!

Comments left between now and the end of the day (eastern time) Friday, June 23, 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 winner).  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.