Tuesday, October 24, 2006

I Dreamed of Africa Sock Pattern



The "I Dreamed of Africa" Socks.

*This is my first pattern and basically just came from imagination. I picked up my Vogue Knitting book and thought the Butterfly Stitch pattern looked a bit like sunbursts. Since I was going to be knitting them in Africa with yarn in orange, green and yellow—I thought it fit*.

Materials:
Approx 560 yards of Fingering Weight yarn. I dyed mine with Kool-Aid—(short tutorial after the pattern)
US 1 needle (2.25mm) Mine done with one long circular.
1 darning needle.

Gauge:
32 stitches over 4 inch in Stockinette part of the pattern.
*Honestly, I did the gauge check only to write up this pattern. I think if you’ve got a fingering weight yarn, you’re all set. By all means, try on the sock as you go to see if it fits*








Size:
Women's Medium.


(My foot is size 7.5 and this give a nice snug fit)



Abbreviations:


WYIF= With Yarn In Front. Move the yarn to the front of the work.
RH= Right Hand (needle)
LH=Left Hand (needle)
TBL=Through the back loop

Pattern:
Leg:
Cast on 60 stitches using the long-tail cast on method.
Work in the round marking the beginning of the round, be careful not to twist stitches.

Work in 2 x 2 ribbing for 1 inch (I did 12 rows)

On last row, decrease one stitch at end of round.
Total=59 stitches.

Start Butterfly Stitch pattern: Multiple of 10+9=59
*Note: I got this stitch pattern from Vogue Knitting—The Ultimate Knitting Book*

Rows: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9: K2, *sl 5 wyif, K5; Rep from * , end sl 5, K2.
Row 2, 4, 6, 8—Knit around.

Row 10: K4, *Bowknot st, K9; Rep from * to end last repeat K4.


Bowknot Stitch: On next stitch (which is centre of the slipped group) insert RH needles down through the 5 loose strands, bring needle up and transfer 5 strands to the LH needle.
K5 strands AND next stitch together, to make one stitch.
*Note, I did mine through the back loop to make it easier*

Rows: 11, 13, 15, 17, 19: K7, *sl 5 wyif, K5; Rep from *, end sl5, K7.
Rows: 12, 14, 16, 18: Knit
Row 20: K9, *Bowknot stitch, K9; Rep from * to end.

Repeat rows 1-20 4 times total—giving you 8 butterfly sections in all.

Short row heel (or heel of your choice) picking up 1 extra stitch prior to returning to the rnd so as to close any gaps and to return to 60sts.
I do my short rows heels and toes like in Alison’s Ankle Socks.
Knit all rounds on the foot until 2 inches before desired length (try on as you go!).

Short row toe.
Graft toe stitches together on the top of foot.

Wear socks and dream of Africa!

If you knit a pair, send me an e-mail and a picture (or link to a picture).


Let me know if this pattern works, as I just hobbled it together from memory.

My Kool-Aid Dying method:
Only natural fibres will dye. The yarn I used is 100% Merino Wool
I wrapped the yarn around chairs in my dining room approx 5 feet apart.
I divided the yarn into thirds and soaked in water for approximately half an hour.
I used 1 orange, 1 packet lemon-lime (green) and 1 packets Lemonade Crystal-Lite.


*Some say to add vinegar, some say that the acid in Kool-Aid is enough. Put some vinegar in if you want*



I put the powder into Mason Jars (which would hold 500mls/2 cups) and filled almost to the top with water.
I put the divided yarn into each colour as far down into the jar as possible.

Microwaved for 2 minutes. Rested 2 minutes. (Maybe push the yarn down further into the jars as you go to ensure all the yarn is coloured)
Repeat * 3 times more for a total of 8 minutes microwaving and let rest.
When cool to the touch place in sink. You may rinse at this time but be carefull of your water temperature and treatment of the yarn, so as not to felt it!.

Hang to dry. Voila






If you like this pattern let me know!





January 2007: UPDATED to add:
Meg made some socks!

Go and see them, aren't they lovely???



Shadkitty has made some too:



5 comments:

Jofrog said...

Oooh, what fun! Thanks for posting the pattern!

Anonymous said...

You know what's funny? I was looking at different patterns online and found something similar. Of course, I haven't actually read through either pattern yet, but they sure look close!

Anonymous said...

Those are gorgeous socks!!! Great job, and thanks for the pattern!

(Just trying to re-post the deleted comments)

Anonymous said...

Thank You Thank You Thank You for posting your pattern. I've been eyeing your socks and hoping you'd let us in on the pattern-y goodness. I have some Yarntini that will definitely do it justice!

(reposted by thechickswithsticks)

Deborah said...

I love that picture with the orange clog! Ok, now I'll have to try your pattern! I will not dye any yarn, I do not want the "dye yarn bug" that so many of you creative types are afflicted with!