Sideways Socks

Sometimes the design is not quite right -- missing the proverbial mark.  It's not the pattern, which has a neat concept, uses a yarn in a creative way, and is well written.  It's not the knitter, who -- yes me -- was on gauge, followed directions, and enjoyed the process of the knitting.  Really, neither the pattern nor knitter has a chance of succeeding when the underlying design comes up short.  This long preamble, patient reader, brings us to my Sideways Sock.

For this sock I used the Sideways Socks pattern from Lana Grossa's Meilenweit Sock Yarn Pattern Booklet #3 and Opal Cotton sock yarn.  It's close -- so close -- to being a really neat design, especially for a self-striping yarn.  So close in fact that I want to challenge myself.  Can I tweak the design to create a Sideways Sock that does work, that is a good design?  The first step is to put my thinking cap on and take a critical look at the sock...

• Since the sock is knit sideways, the stitch gauge controls the length of the sock and the row gauge controls the width.

• The length of the sock's foot is 9.25 inches, which is a reasonable length for my foot.  Yet the sock is way too long.  Why?  Because knit fabric stretches more between stitches than it does between rows, the foot of the sock naturally stretches up to 11".  This means the foot of the sock must be knit shorter -- perhaps even 1.5 inches shorter -- than the actual foot.  Negative ease friends, negative ease.

• The garter stitch cuff is nice and stretchy, acting a bit like ribbing.  However, if the cuff is not folded down it is too tight for the calf.  The use of garter stitch is clever though since its row gauge is larger than stockinette stitch's row gauge.

• There is also too much fabric around the ankle.  Perhaps a bit of strategically place garter stitch could help shape the ankle.

• Finally, the design was only done for one size -- an adult large -- with no guidance on shortening or lengthening the foot.  So a little more flexibility and choice is in order.

Not wanting to reinvent the wheel, I next went in search for other Sideways Socks Patterns.  Here's what I found:

• Sideway Knitting Sock -- the English translation for the sideways sock pattern printed on the inside of Opal sock yarn labels.  This is basically the same pattern I was using with a few minor variations.
  
• Bakerloo -- A sideway sock pattern published on MagKnits
• Sideways Socks Supreme from Socks, Socks, Socks.  The designer, Liz, has posted an alternative toe on her web site.

I was most intrigued by the construction of the Bakerloo sock, which adds the toe and heel after the sock tube is constructed.  I think I'm going to use this pattern as my starting point and modify it based on my observations and lessons learned.  Stay tuned.

Hey, has anyone knit a sideways sock that fit well?  If so, what pattern did you use and what modifications, if any, did you make?