Last week we were talking about ways to avoid the hole that often forms at the top of the heel. When I was working on my second Six-Pack Sock, I took a few ictures of how I deal with this annoying problem.
In this photo, I’ve turned the heel and I’m ready to resume working in the round:
(Remember, as always, you can click on the photos to see larger versions.)
As you can see theres a bit of a gap between the top of the heel and the instep stitches. So I pick up a stitch:
I pick it up from the center of a stitch so it looks more natural. I knit the stitch.
Then I continue and knit across the instep stitches. Then I pick up one stitch at the other side of the heel. On the next round, I knit each picked up stitch together with the heel stitch next to it.
In the comments, a few of you mentioned that Charlene Schurch recommends picking up 2 stitches on each side. I used to do that, but I’ve found that once I got adept at it, I only need to pick up one stitch and that closes the gap nicely.
Thanks for all your lovely comments about the Six-Pack Socks. I’ll be sure to let you know when the pattern is available.
I’m working on another sock, but I’ll talk about that tomorrow. 🙂
Un-Official Start of Summer Giveaway!
Here in the United States, Memorial Day (which is today) is the un-official start of summer. In celebration of summer, I’m giving this away:
A brand-new still-in-the-box 1GB iPod Shuffle. This iPod was donated by my mom. She won it in a raffle, and offered it to me for a blog giveaway. Thanks, Mom! 😀
To be entered in the iPod contest:
1. Write a summer-themed Haiku. A Haiku is three short lines. The first line usually contains five (5) syllables, the second line seven (7) syllables, and the third line contains five (5) syllables. For example:
Summer-time is here
heat and humidity now
turn the a/c on.
Yeah, T.S. Eliot I ain’t. But I wrote that on the spur of the moment, so do cut me some slack.
Okay, write a summer-themed Haiku and leave it in the comments for this post. If it is not summer where you are, you can still enter — it may be the start of winter for you, but you can still write a summer Haiku, right?
2. One Haiku per person, please.
3. Leave your Haiku comment by midnight Eastern time, Thursday, May 29, 2008. The WendyKnits panel of judges will select several finalists. These finalists will be published on Sunday June 1 for everyone to vote on, and the winner will be selected by popular vote.
Okay? Don’t worry if your comment doesn’t show up right away. My spam filter does not appreciate fine poetry, so your entry might be ensnared in its net. Not to worry, I’ll go in and release comments from time to time.
Lucy is clearly trying to come up with a good entry.
I’ll have to break it to her gently that she is ineligible to enter.
Yes! Summer draws near
With lazy days of knitting.
Come, finished objects!
Here’s my haiku. I have summers off. It’s when I finish up all the things I started during the school year. 🙂
Karen in Toledos last blog post..In Memory
Oh my, it looks like I’m the first. I gave it a whirl and here is my summer Haiku: Hot days and warm nights
Trees in full, leafy glory
Ah, summer at last
Sun warmed tomatoes
I eagerly gather them
The taste of summer
Knit socks for summer
No heavy wool in my lap
Perfect for the pool
Take time to remember and thank those who served. More importantly, thank the family of a current service member — their sacrifice is just as great.
DIanas last blog post..Brownie Camporee
Wildside salmon, yum,
Wendy knits- I play with yarn
My job here is done!
Summer, no more wool.
Summer, lace weight by the spool.
Summer, staying cool.
Julies last blog post..Happy Earth Day!
Oh, summer sunshine
How I love your warming touch
How I hate your burn
Lanas last blog post..SAINT RITA OF CASCIA
The flowers and rain
Are fragrant in the air now
Soon the heat will rise
1st haiku ever, 1st post ever, thanks for the challenge now back to my socks and to call my son, a veteran himself, as well as my dad. Thanks!
We wait so long for
summer to arrive, and it
passes too quickly.
Mos last blog post..The Reel thing
School year is over
Teachers rejoice, parents cringe
September seems far away
my Haiku:
summertime is fine
makes me want to jam some tunes
and knit some sockies
(and yes, I know, keep my day job! 🙂 )
Pool water shining
Calls to me to swim in it
Water feels so cold
Sandy Kadries last blog post..Proof
Summer has arrived
Looking forward to sunshine
But, what the…? Storm? Now???
Yes, there is lots of lightning outside right now. And it was so nice and sunny today too. Fingers crossed it passes overnight.
Brittanys last blog post..Inspiration
Sweaty my lap grows,
My project felts as I knit.
Wool was not wise choice.
white clouds drift
across an azure sky,
my love kisses me
Marilyn Greenes last blog post..LT Meme: Top 106 unread books
The garden calls me
a summer storm approaches.
Stay in and knit! Yay!
the last day of school
infinity of freedom
who can forget it?
Evelyns last blog post..The Quest for Lace Continues
weather’s getting warm…
got myself a pedicure
can’t find my sandals!
margarets last blog post..It’s that Time of the Year Again …
Summer fleece washing
shish-ka-bob on barbeque
Could life be better?
Summertime, Hooray!
Heat, bugs, sweating
Bring on Fall.
I think I did that right.
Summer’s hot days and two Newfies
Knitting socks is not for them
They want a pool.
Cute idea for a contest, and a great prize!! Here’s my totally non-professional poet entry:
Too hot and sweaty.
Sticky yarn, sticky needles.
Need a Popsicle.
Daves last blog post..Kaleidoscope # 1
knitting bamboo socks
water drops on ice tea glas
refresh your senses
That’s how I imagine summer. Sitting in the garden knitting with very cold ice tea aahhh delicious.
Chras last blog post..Tallin 2008
summer dawns green and gold
knitting under trees yarn flows
bliss dawns stitch by stitch
ambermoggies last blog post..Windy days
Pretty plants abloom
green grass grows while mowers mow
Summer scents and sounds
Haikus are not my forte – of course, any form of poetry is not my forte! This was the best of the lot. Syllables were giving me fits – too many, not enough! 🙂
Enjoy your summer.
Kathleens last blog post..I took a vacation
squinting in the sun
ice-cream dribbling down your arms
next project in mind.
thanks for the stop heel hole solution, and the ipod giveaway offer. 🙂
medeas last blog post..Campus Party Bogotá 2008
summertime love means
pools kisses naps sunshine heat
iced coffee spinning yarn
sillydoggiess last blog post..30+ days and counting
no more Christmas knits
lacey things and socks for me
Christmas is coming!
What a fun contest. I haven’t written haiku since high school. Here’s my shot at it:
Summer Knitting
Wool? Cotton? Bamboo?
Umbrella drinks in blender!
Knitters are refreshed.
karen ws last blog post..Random Friday
6 pack socks and summer
go together like bread and butter
seeing Lucy just makes it better!
lovely summer day?
fiber nearly felts in hands
i’m going inside
Sarahs last blog post..Seemed Like a Good Idea
I watch the lilies
Dance in the breeze as I purl.
Go away, blackfly!
Knitting outdoors in VT can be risky in the summer! But worth it. Thanks for the contest!
Austin summer sauna,
Mosquitoes swarm, dive, and bite.
Still wear hand-knit socks.
And thanks for the hole-closing tips. It is nice to see that exactly what I do is exactly what you do! I feel vindicated, or at least validated.
Sunas last blog post..Some FAST Knitting
One Hundred Degrees
sweaty hands turn wool to felt
I heart cotton yarn
Loris last blog post..I’m thinking a really bad word right now….
Summertime is here
The best time to sit and knit
Bring on the sock yarn!
Carolines last blog post..New yarn for your pleasure
Warm summer breezes
Sipping cool drinks in the shade
Pure relaxation
Robin Ms last blog post..Day 26
Hi,
I love your blog and your knitting.I haven’t posted in ages…Well here goes….
“Summer in the City”
Heat rolls on asphalt
Children splash in the sprinkler
And tan on tar beach
I love this idea.
Summer? Seattle?
HA! Such an oxymoron;
Sunshine take pity.
Marys last blog post..When the Lights Go Out…
Great Idea 🙂
It’s getting hotter-
bathingsuits and suncreen-
bees mosquitos trusty flyswatter.
Melanies last blog post..New Yarns and Rockin Sock Club Arrivals-Warning Spoilage
Now that Summer is here
The socks fly off the needles
Everyone will cheer.
Kids laugh with glee
Summers here for you and me
Relax~Enjoy
summer sun is my
enemy makes wearing wool
uncomfortable
kates last blog post..Knitter with a capital K
Summer Knitting Haiku
Sweaty hands, socks, lace,
Cotton, linen, soy, silk, hemp,
Sunscreen-slick needles.
Lorraines last blog post.."After the Service"
Blue, yellow, green, pink
Colors seen from my window
Flow from my needles
Happy summertime! Our not quite summer has included record-breaking heat (97+F), followed by rain and thunderstorms. Weather in the Northwest is always interesting!
Cindy (Maxfun)s last blog post..And that was the week that was!
Golden sun, blazing
hot. Watch the grass turn brown. Iced
tea where I’ll be found.
Emilys last blog post..My Carrot on a Stick
The last time I left a comment it said I had 144! LOL. Not. So I am trying this “Linda from Kansas”.
My haiku:
Summer time is here
time for scattered tornadoes
quick, get to shelter!
This is the Land of Oz after all. 🙂
Linda from Kansas.
Summer – time to sail!
Raise the mains’l, hoist the jib
Wind and sun and bliss
Christys last blog post..2008 Sailing Goal
Stretching your fingers,
Ready for Summer of Socks,
How fast can you knit?
Bubbless last blog post..Friday Fill-In and Sunflowers
Knitting in the porch
Mosquitoes buzz far away
Thank goddess for screens
kmkats last blog post..So what am I, chopped liver?
Put the wool away
UFO pile to grow
See you in the fall
Summer in Phoenix
Hotter than hell in July
Still I knit with wool
Thanks Wendy!
Amys last blog post..knit@love
Plant basil and mint
The birds chirp and bunnies hop
How I love summer
My first time to comment, love the blog.
Long time lurker, first time (I think) commenter. Love your blog, and, of course, Lucy. 🙂
“Hot Cat”
stretched out to full length
occasional twitching tail
cat days of summer
ah, humidity
a cool iced tea with lemon
oppressiveness ends
Jeanne B.s last blog post..Vote for Me
Birds, trees, and flowers
Children playing everywhere
Help my knitting muse
Loopykds last blog post..Next….Mud Season
Beltway summer so
Long in coming. Groom the
dog. Knit his hair. Ew!
Sun burnt skin flakes off
Aloe and lanolin soothe
Bra straps create pain
turtlegirl76s last blog post..One More Mission Accomplished
Suddenly, crisis!
This wool is too hot to knit –
I’ll finish come fall.
Erikas last blog post..
Knit words together:
I can knit, but cannot write.
Socks are easier!
(OK, I flunked poetry in 3rd grade too)
It’s been warm here since
late February. I love
North Carolina!
michelles last blog post..And it’s already Thursday…
Heat waves in Boston
Make me want my Maine lake swim
Must wait for August
Kathode Ray Tubes last blog post..One Red Sox Sock is Done
Heat haze in the sky
Kids are shrieking in the yard
Water toys cool all
Gladyss last blog post..sock success
Warmer days approach
Cast the wool from my needles
Pass me the cotton
Windansea / Lydias last blog post..One Down, Two to Go
SUMMER
cats in the windows
finches on the tree branches
socks on my needles
There’s my first attempt at a haiku ever! I think it pretty much sums up my summers here in Wisconsin!! 🙂
Karens last blog post..Mystic Light Shawl Clue 5 — ALL DONE!!
Yellow sun shines down
Sanctuary in the shade
Hamburgers grilling
Robyn Swordss last blog post..LOL Cylon
Summer strategy:
My four cats lie on their backs
On cool bathroom tile.
beautiful season
cotton, linen, lighter yarns
sing their summer songs
What a fun contest idea! Thanks Wendy’s mom! =D
summer knitting means
lace and socks. my cardigan
will languish ’til fall.
Jeshs last blog post..Blue Tweed
My Haiku – love your blog; kisses to Lucy
Lace looks dreamy; cotton divine
I’m sweating just thinking
Of the good ole Summertime…..
the sun is hot now
today the garden calls me
I sweat and pull weeds
Miss Lucy’s fur coat
Glorious tawny and brown
Kitteh hot! Shave her.
Carols last blog post..Wherein I discover a new setting on my camera
I work part-time as a gardener in the Gardens at UNC-Charlotte, also tend the gardens at my DGD’s school and here at home. I’ve given myself permission to work in my yarn room this year and knit up some stuff…not many weeds here at home ’cause I mulched really heavy last year. Now if I can only organize the bags and piles of yarn before school lets out in 2 weeks…hah, good luck with that
connie, your average Knitter and WeedPullingFool
My first Haiku –
Summertime is work
For a waitress at the beach
Autumn needs to come!
Loris last blog post..Not that I blog alot…
Summer on the farm
critters everywhere you look
work from dawn to dusk
Ah, summer. Must be time
To cast on for yet another
Big heavy afghan
(because nothing says ‘summer knitting in California’ like afghans)
Jenipurrs last blog post..Hot weather knitting
Three babies are due
Each needs a sweater or two
Wool knitting in June?
High skies and knitting
make wonderful summer
nights spinning fine yarns.
Thanks for that wonderful idea, I love poetry, and especially haiku.
Chris 😎
Ah, summer. It’s time
To cast on for yet another
Big heavy afghan
(resubmitted because apparently I cannot count – sigh).
Jenipurrs last blog post..Hot weather knitting
Oh cool, I love haiku, they’re a great way to break things up on road trips (or grocery stores) and I’d like to think I specialise in silly penis related haiku, but here’s something I saw yesterday from my window while I was spinning and the bird was so pleased with himself.
A western scrub jay
flits into the eaves and plucks
the wasp nests of spring
The mud daubers build their nests in the spring and the jays rip them out of our eaves once they are big and juicy ripe with pupae.
The original version of that haiku ended “go scrub jay go!” in an homage to one of the world’s greatest literary works, 😉 but I thought I’d end it with a more seasonal and cyclical reference to suit your theme.
Oops, I meant paper wasps, not mud daubers. I just like saying mud daubers…
Savannah summer
Head out to Tybee Island
Knitting on the beach
crias in the sun
eating up the dandelions
how cute you shall be
fun contest!! and your mom rocks!!
Vickis last blog post..and Lucy is her name-o!
Nightless nights are here,
and summers endless passion,
my hours of knitting.
muoriskas last blog post..Valokuva/runotorstai
Here goes something….
Socks are for knitting
In the late night cool breezes
Of Summer watching
Jens last blog post..Beanies for Brother
Summer is knitting
fine lace with cotton yarn
and zero needles
Martha Freys last blog post..
London’s bloody wet,
raining on this May morning –
turn the heating up!
Gennys last blog post..Plans and lists, for I’m obsessive like that
Wendy – can you post the Boston Creme Pie recipe? I need more calories (-;
Haiki:
Only way to cool?
To eat ice cream ev’ryday…
And dream of autumn!
I love summer time
Except for one major thing
I can’t wear sweaters
What a fun idea for a contest! Can the judges be bribed with fiber-y gifts??
Oregon Summer treats
Flowers bloom, beaches beckon
Bring your umbrella
Sunglasses, bright sun
SPF thirty applied
Bright white complexion
Carols last blog post..Hell Square
Days I nap on grass
Hibernate in shadows blue
A bunny in clouds
It is so cold here!
Does the summer really come?
I do hope so much!
Summer’s fun and yet
Brings bugs and critters out so
Cool inside I knit.
Dee Porterfields last blog post..No Use Crying Over Spilt Juice
Knitting by the pool
Knit one, purl two, sip of drink
Knit a bikini!
Phyls last blog post..Back From Zurich
one sock in progress
two fans stirring the hot air
three sweet teas on ice
Summertime city
Beautiful outside work
But inside I sit
fresh air (often hot)
on bare limbs (sometimes sweaty)
is summer (knit socks!)
Wendy, thanks for the hole tutorial! If Lucy does come up with any haiku, could you post them please? LOL
auntiemichals last blog post..Easy & Fast Beans & Rice
warm air passing by
heating up the city streets
time to get outside
Too hot to knit much
except for gloves, socks, and hats
Sweater patterns wait
dorkyquiltss last blog post..Box Jellies Quilt
Golden summer light
fades, loosing fireflies that they
reflect its glory.