Sock Madness

Here’s the sock for round 6. Let me start by saying that I’m not a cuffed sock person. At all. I love these socks though because of the details and the meticulous way that this pattern is written which made it such a joy to knit.

This toe up sock starts out simple with a rib but the thoughtful little details start just after the heel where the rib starts gradually. Nifty. Of course the true beauty is the cuff which is knit right on to the sock and works out so perfectly that after the last stitches are grafted you’ll be left with a perfect sock that needs nothing more than to have the ends woven in (or not).

I didn’t block these at all but I’m curious to see what they would look like if I did. If that lace cuff opened up a bit I’m sure it would be fantastic.  My only real advice to you all as you start this sock is to take the time to read the instructions and take advantage of all of the resources Deborah has collected for you. She even provided videos!
And now, a few words from Deborah, the designer of the sock for round 6.

Greetings, Sock Madness competitors and spectators!  Deborah “Mt. Mom” Swift here.
 
This pattern had its roots in last year’s competition.  I began with a basic toe-up sock,using wide-ish 3×1 ribs to stretch but look more elegantly smooth than 2×2.  The cuff idea came from Sock Madness 2007 round 3, “Painted Madness” by Tricia Weatherston (to get that pattern, e-mail Tricia at  twistedtreasures@verizon.net , or her LYS, Mountain Knits and Pearls, at  twistedtreasures@verizon.net — addresses current as of April 2007.).  That sock had a turn-down cuff which began with sideways garter stitch “points”.  (Any of y’all remember the beads I added to it last year?) I ended up being knocked out in that round, but those socks were my favorite of the competition.  I’m wearing them now, as I write!  In the post-round musings on Flickr, CelticMemory Jo waxed poetic about making boot socks with a lace flounce spilling out over the tops, and that image stuck with me.  That’s not exactly where I ended up, but it’s where I began.  Instead of starting with the cuff first, as Tricia did, I added it on last as if the sock were a lace shawl needing a non-binding edge.  After all, socks need to stretch at the top too!
 
I have loaded videos onto YouTube demonstrating several of the trickier steps in the pattern.  Links are below. 
 
You have the pattern, you have the technology — now get knitting!!!
 
Short Row Heel with YOs:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ttSoJoa4nU  (starting & turning)
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZCtOPmi204  (middle, more turning)
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjwvMu2TN3A  (completing)
 
Crochet Provisional Cast-On
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqWfea8oOH8
 
Godmother’s Socks:  Starting the Lace Cuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKUQrnSOj9Q
 
Godmother’s Socks:  Finishing the Lace Cuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxEec2W6UcI