12/4/2008
This took longer than it needed to. I put it down a few times (sometimes out of frustration, sometimes because I had other projects I needed to work on). If you’ve done any research on argyle sock knitting, you’ll probably find that the argyle part is knit flat then seamed up and the live stitches redistributed to dpns or circular needles. I found that knitting the flat part with the front side always facing me was the easiest way to go about it. I kept having to rip back all my mistakes until I figured out that watching what I do (knitting with the front side facing me at all times) was the best way to avoid mistakes in the pattern. This means backwards knitting is involved instead of flipping the sock to purl.

One thing I would change when I knit another argyle sock is that the seam allowance (one additional stitch on each end) makes for a rather bulky seam. For such a fine weight like fingering/sock yarn on such a small piece of a knit garment (socks are garments too, right?) I feel like a more discreet seam would be preferred. Not sure how possible this would be to execute what with the pattern needing to match up perfectly at the seam and all. But it’s something for me to explore the next time I give this a go.

Oh, and another thing I might try differently is the kind of argyle patterning. I followed the charts (more or less) in the Vogue Sock Knitting book which called for an interesting play of colorwork with three colors. I think I’d rather do an argyle with four colors which is a look I prefer.

I’m still a little disgruntled at all the ripping that was involved before I figured out that I needed to knit the leg part with the knit side facing me at all times. (yeah, it was all my fault, but I’m blaming the pattern. it’s my prerogative.) So I’m inclined to say that I’ll never make another one of these. Phooey! Who needs it? Then again, when I asked my husband to model the socks for the photo shoot he kept talking about how great they felt and how nice they looked. So I guess I’ll be knitting another pair after all. ;)

Otherwise, I think this project came out looking great.

10/1/2008
I started to follow the men’s argyle sock pattern in the vogue sock patterns book but quickly realized that it would not fit the intended recipient. So I did a little online research and found a wealth of information and am sort of creating my own pattern. I look forward to all that seaming. Bring it!