Inlay

My Inlays are finished!

Inlay Socks (mine ravelled here),

knit in Blue Moon Fiber Arts'

Socks that Rock Lightweight,

H.R.H. Crown Princess of Purple, Violetta colorway*

These are not for the faint of heart. They are heavily cabled--or at least heavily twisted. Every other round has a series of right twists, left twists, or both. I never was able to see the pattern, so I had to follow the chart the entire time. I am not particularly visual, so I never know if this is because I can't see the pattern or because the pattern can't be seen.

I found it helpful to label the twists on the chart. I just marked the left twists LT and the right RT. It sounds silly, but it helped me a lot. I also learned that highlighter tape is fantastic for marking the row of the chart. I use a chart keeper, but the magnets aren't strong enough. Often when I open it, I find that the magnet marking my row has moved and is mocking me from its new location. I don't understand how the highlighter tape is sticky enough not to move inappropriately but nonsticky enough to be able to be pulled up and moved a jillion times without ripping the page or pulling up the ink. The only possible answer is that highlighter tape is magic.

And, wow, these socks are pretty.

There's a line running down each side of the leg and foot that may find its way onto plain socks as well. It's easy to do, and it adds a lot of visual interest. (Over 8 stitches, p1, k1, right cross, left cross, k1, p1.)

A word of warning: Use a very round yarn. You want great stitch definition. Even in a round yarn, it will look like crap until it's actually on your foot. Then POW! Hello, pattern.

These are a knitty.com pattern designed by Hunter Hammersen. I'm a fan of hers. I preordered Hunter's new book, and I like nearly every pattern in it. But for now, I'm going to knit something very, very simple.

*That colorway is from a Socks that Rock Club shipment, so it may not be available for sale yet.