Clay Clox
I experimented with Clox Socks (also known as Clocks) about a year ago, using purl patterns. I wanted to try a different variation, and this is what I ended up with:
This is not my first attempt! But I’m pleased to say that is didn’t take too many.
It took me a while to figure out the cable stitch. (Laurie planted this seed well over a year ago, and I’ve been staring at dpn pictures/diagrams from time to time ever since.) I actually ended up figuring out two different stitches. I used the two together on one of my failed projects and I didn’t like how they turned out, so I went a little simpler with this project, using only one variation.
Here’s a sock looking from the inside:
I worked a pattern 8 stitches wide on both the left and right sides of the sock. You can see my red hash marks on the cylinder which are the exact mid points of each side, and then you can see I used white liquid paper to temporarily mark off 4 stitches in either direction of each red mark.
The first pair and last pair of stitches within the 8 are ribbed on every row of the clock, and the middle 4 stitches are knit stockinette for 6 rows, and then my cable stitch is done on the 7th row. There are 9 repeats in my clox, plus a few rows of the rib just before the first cable, and just after the last cable as a segue.
I don’t know if this stitch has a ‘real name‘ – maybe you dpn-ers can help me out here. I tried to copy some things that were called Cross Left Front and Cross Left Back and Cross-this-and-that. I tell you, my head nearly exploded trying to extrapolate from dpn (ie Greek) into Sock McGeek Speak! In the end I think it does what a cable stitch would do, but I’m not sure if it is structurally similar enough to call it an existing name.
For this version of the stitch:
I knit stitches 1,2,3,4 ‘normally’ and then stopped knitting when I got just past them. (Illustrated by the clear numbered circles in the picture – which you can click to enlarge).
Then, I removed stitch one and two completely off the cylinder.
Then I MOVED sitch 3 and 4 to the place previously occupied by stitch 1 and 2 (while 1 and 2 are still sitting in the inside of the cylinder) and
Then I MOVED stitch 1 and 2, passing behind the newly deposited 3 and 4, and into the spaces originally occupied by 3 and 4. (The new homes of the stitches are shown in the solid numbered circles.)
My other variation of this stitch, no photo, is to remove stitch 3 and 4; move stitch 1 and 2 to the place previously occupied by 3 and 4, then move 3 and 4 across the back and into the place originally taken by 1 and 2.
The socks are knit in my own 75/25 wool/nylon fingering weight, colour Clay, with the 72 needle cylinder on the Verdun 47 CSM. They are (my) size Large.
Yes!!! That is exactly the same thing as what we DPN people do. Particularily those who cable without a cable needle. As for what they are called, who cares? It only matters if you’re trying to duplicate a pattern exactly. I often do my cross howsoever pleases me.
I think the trickest and most different bit for you sock machine knitter, is that you are cabling from the inside. DPN knitters almost always cable from the outside.
Doug, I’m so terribly impressed with you. Congratulations!!
This is definitely a case of me reaping what you sowed ;o)
I can not begin to describe the pressure I felt when I got to the toe of the second sock. So close to success, and disaster looming around every decrease. There should be a pill! (There probably is.)
Beautifully done! This newbie aspires to be one half as good as you someday.
The local crank in was today and thankfully, I learned quite a bit on getting a heel knitted. It is amazing how much nicer it is to have someone there to ask and/or walk you through a process, than try to do things alone at home. I’m just lucky that the local group meets monthly!
One question: how are you doing the 4 rib stitches (the 2 before the cable and the 2 after the cable)?
Love it! I assume the ribber is on for the rib stitches and was removed for pictures??
Very cool…
Yep, that’s exactly how we do it. Your two options would give you cables that cross in opposite directions.
This is one of those cases where I expect it takes me longer to do a stitch on the sock machine than it takes you on the dpn’s. But it’s a moot point since I don’t know how to knit with sticks at all ;o)
So you did all that with the ribber on? I’m doubly impressed now!
This is really nice I still don’t understand how the two stitches on each side of the cables are done. If your using the ribber then I have to say I don’t understand how you are doing the cables. I sure would like to try this. It’s so much fun to check out what you are knitting.
Your projects always astonish me. The cables are low key and perfect for a man’s sock. The variegated colors are gorgeous. How did you dye using Clay and have all these variations?
To increase variegation I simply do everything ‘wrong’ that I would do to reduce/eliminate variegation of colour.
So – not salt for leveling; no stirring the dye bath to blend the dye; no raising and lowering of the skeins while in the dye bath; and introduce the skeins (pre-soaked in hot water) to a rolling boil dye bath – and then just leave them alone at a good boil.
With complex washfast acid dyes, the different component dyes will strike independently in a boiling bath.
This works really well with some colours – like Clay, Chestnut, Slate Blue, Brick Red, and not so well with other colours – all trial and error. The crappy ones get re-dyed black ;o)
I must say I am thrilled with how the Clay turned out – I’ve nearly used up my stash of it so hopefully I can replicate it.