My mother wants me to tell you that when you knit your argyles, be they preppy or piratey, that you should not skimp on the ribbing because she knows the siren song of the chart, and how it will sigh while you put in your ribbing, and how it will complain, and how it will try to get you to start in on the excitement of the colourwork before the ribbing has reached the right point, the point when it will be substantial enough to not look like you rushed into the chart before the ribbing was a full 2.5 to 3 inches long. She says this is very important because if you rush, the ribbing will look skimpy, and you will look like a knitter who rushes. I think she must be looking at my pink ones and shaking her head. My mother is among the most patient of knitters. I should learn some more of that from her.
So I have reached the end of my more substantial ribbing. I decided that I want my Jolly Rogers to be on the sides of my socks instead of on the front, so I printed out a couple of copies of the chart and by cutting and taping and folding, I figured out where I should start in on it. I looked at the finished Dunkin Donut sock and thought the Jolly Roger would look best against the first whole background diamond starts, since I also think I want the skull on a black background, like it is on the flag. I might make the socks another half repeat of the chart longer, but I'll make that decision when I get there. Here's where I am at the moment (remembering to knit it from the top), about four rows into it. I can't wait to make it to the skull !
I know you're looking at the ribbing and saying to yourself:
But that's not flat. That looks like a regular sock-in-the-round. Is she dicking with me here?
No. No, I'm not. Really. I am knitting it back and forth, just like -- I swear to you -- any self-respecting argyle sock is knit. But I did cheat a little and knit the ribbing in the round, then started in on the back and forth when I got to the chart. I actually ribbed with 68 stitches, and added on new stitch at each side for the selvedge. It's an experiment. What better time to walk the plank, I say. Arrgh.
I was thinking the exact same thing about the Jolly Roger on the side and was going to play with the chart tonight.
2.5 - 3 inches of ribbing? I'm weak. I may not make it that far...
Posted by: Bethe | July 27, 2006 at 06:02 PM
oh my goodness. Arrrrr-gyles :) I'm printing and cutting and taping the chart out - thank you for reinvigorating argyles for me :D
Posted by: Stephanie | July 27, 2006 at 06:37 PM
Having never made argyles... let alone ARRGH-yles, I'm going to take your advice on the back and forth even though I'm big into circular knitting. I have two boys who this holiday (if not sooner) will be receiving pirate hats and matching Jolly Roger socks. Thanks for the inspiration to try out argyle after all.
Posted by: Celtic Queen | July 27, 2006 at 08:48 PM
I wish my mom were a knitter. She's a guitarist, though.
So I'm staring at these Arrrrrgyles and thinking I need to make them, but one of the things I love about socks is their tubishness and the lack of back-and-forth knitting. I don't even like doing heels because of the back-and-forthage. I mean, I DO them, but begrudgingly. Seriously, why can't argyles be knit in the round? Floats? Is that it?
Posted by: sarkasmo | July 28, 2006 at 12:48 AM
Clever girl! One of the many reasons I love reading your blog.
Posted by: Judy | July 28, 2006 at 06:06 AM
"Is she dicking with me here?" Hahahahaha! That may be the funniest line you've written yet.
I'll be getting a laugh out of that all day.
Posted by: Cheryl | July 28, 2006 at 08:12 AM
Aye, matey, and now you are going to get some interesting visitors from Google with the line that so amused Cheryl. You are brave in knitting, and brave in blogging.
Posted by: Laurie | July 28, 2006 at 09:18 AM
You know great minds think alike. I have been dying to make argyle socks and I had been looking around in my stash for a pattern, no such luck. Then some one at Circles told me that you had made a pair and had a pattern. Fabulous !
Even more Fabulous is that someyhing in the back of my mind told me that I might have the GoodHousekeeping Book of Needlecraft somewheres. Yeah Baby !
On page 309 (?), there it is: Pattern for Men's Argyle Socks.
I will heed your mother's advice, though. The siren call of the chart almost had me banging in sick in order to start the socks.
Posted by: Judy | July 28, 2006 at 10:26 AM
I am an impatient knitter who can barely muster the strength of character necessary for 1.5 inches of ribbing, and I am certainly not interested in entering into a throwdown with yo' mama. However--and this is not a justification for my undeniably slatternly ways--I am not convinced of the necessity for 3" of ribbing if you are not knitting a knee-high. But perhaps these are knee-highs, rather than 7"-8" highs? Or perhaps your mama has knee-highs in mind? Proportionally, 3" seems like quite a lot unless you are knitting a tall sock or stocking.
I am intrigued by your circular ribbing/straight argyle method. Very clever!
Posted by: Martha | July 28, 2006 at 10:41 AM
Looks like magic loop is your method- just learning that this week. I'm good with one sock- but two? A head banging experience at best. Those Jolly Rogers are going to look awesome when done!
Posted by: Manise | July 28, 2006 at 06:18 PM
I can't wait to knit these too! Knit Picks got a special order just for the yarn. I can't wait!!!! (did I say that already?)
Posted by: Nell | July 28, 2006 at 08:14 PM
I couldn't resist either. Using an old Bucilla pattern book (vol 340) I drafted out the ARRRgyles using knitting graph paper at a gauge of 8st/11 rows per inch. I redrew the skull to fit my diamonds and everything. An hour later showed it to DH and was informed he wouldn't wear argyle.... sigh. It was very fun though...
Posted by: Tanya | July 29, 2006 at 02:23 AM
I have only recently started reading your blog and do like what you are doing with Argyle. Take a look at this link:http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com:80/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod13620007&parentId=cat216601&masterId=cat20057&index=3&cmCat=cat000000cat200648cat203100cat203101cat20057cat216601
sorry it's so long, I don't know how to shorten it.
Posted by: Wendy | July 30, 2006 at 12:37 AM
Where do pirate socks like to eat?
Aaaaaaarby's.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Can't wait to see the socks.
Posted by: Valerie | July 31, 2006 at 07:47 AM
It's all about proportion darlings. Knit the 2 1/2 to 3" of ribbing or your socks will look stubby. And nobody wants stubby socks! Listen to your mother.
Posted by: Mom | August 01, 2006 at 08:20 AM