The Evil Sock Genius pattern is nearly complete. (They all laughed at me, but soon...soon...I will have my revenge).
I need one more element before I begin to unleash my weapon on an unsuspecting world: the world's opinion. So I've put a poll up on the blog -------------------------------->
It's really all about stitch circumference. Do you think it's better for socks with a smaller stitch circumference to be a bit looser or a bit tighter, relative to socks with a larger stitch circumference?
My general rule is that all socks should err on the side of "tighter." But see, I'm building a reference chart that is the base of my pattern, and the references I'm consulting -- while they agree on the fit of socks in the mid-range (48 - 60 stitches around), one reference makes socks with less than 48 stitches slightly looser, and one makes it slightly tighter.
Which do you think is best? Take my poll. (And seal your doom).
4 comments:
How could I resist the evil genius of a poll? I voted tighter all around.
"what shall we do tonight brain?" "the same thing we do every night, pinky, try...and...take over...THE WORLD!"
I'm guessing what you're wondering is whether smaller circumference socks should be worked at tighter gauge than larger circumference socks?
IMO, the fabric for socks should be firm (i.e. tighter gauge) because it better stands up to the demands of wear than socks worked at a loose gauge.
The circumference of the sock has to do with the circumference of the body parts it --the sock-- has to go around. Gauge is totally independent of that. If you take your standard Regia sock yarn and work a sock that is 8 inches in circumference at 7 sts/inch (7x8 = 56 sts), it won't wear as well as a sock 8 inches in circumference at 9 sts/inch (8x9 = 72sts) under the same conditions of wear.
Of course, I may not have understood what you're asking?
Ted, I'm actually trying to get at elements like number of gusset increases, width of the heel base, and length of the heel-turn section for socks of different stitch circumferences. Gauge and fabric are important in the final product, but incidental to the pattern.
And although Mel voted for an option that's not there, tighter all around is the way to go -- or at least, the pattern should offer a consistent fit, not deliberately skew the numbers up or down depending on whether the sock is 28 stitches around or 80.
Post a Comment