Those Blasted Argyle Socks

I have been working on a pair of socks for my boyfriend for three years. Yes. THREE. And I still have not finished the first sock.



We do living history re-enacting. He demonstrates the pennyfarthing bicycle. I demonstrate hand-crank sewing machines. As you can tell in the photo, Argyle socks are the right thing for a pair of knickerbockers. Alas, commercial ones that we have found are too short. (He's wearing a very stretched out pair of my knee socks for this photo, if I remember right.)

Now I knit. I can do color knitting. What should be so hard about knitting a pair of Argyle socks? I started them three years ago. I admit I distract easily, but after about 10 months, the first sock was ready to try on. (Grr. Top down knitting is for the birds. Toe-up I'd have had them ready much sooner.)

Leon was able to squeeze them on with lots of help from me tugging them over the heel. The socks were too small. All that work... and I'd have to rip it out! Well, on the good side, I did learn that the socks should be one more pattern of diamonds taller. (Faint consolation.)

I haven't been as diligent with the new socks, and I'm into year two on the first sock. I will finish them but they are a chore now, not a joy. Other projects lead me away but I come back to them. The new socks are on larger needles and I am being very careful about stitch count.

Things I've learned:

1.  Stitch count means everything. It is very easy to lose a stitch along the way and that throws the diamond pattern off and contributes to the socks not fitting.
2. Lifelines are critical.  Every so many rows, I weave a "lifeline" into my work. This is a line of contasting color threaded through a row of stitches like a permanent "needle" going through the loops. If I have to tear back my work, I need only go as far as the last lifeline to find a point where the stitch count was accurate. I can rebuild from there and not have to tear back to the cuff.  Believe me, I did that a few times before I remembered the art of the lifeline. It was not pretty.
3, Intricate patterns need to be worked where you can concentrate. These are not traveling socks. Most of my knitting is done when I am a passenger in a car, gazing out the window, chatting and knitting. Not these. They require total concentration. No TV. No conversation. No fun. :(

I will post pictures of the final socks (in a year or so at this rate.) Leon says that knowing how hard I have worked on them, he will be nearly afraid to wear them.

No, that's not the point. The POINT is not even this pattern will get me to quit. :)