Anthropometry

Before I get into the topic of todays post though, I wanted to mention that I have begun to tidy, update, and republish my colour series as freestanding pages for easier reference - there were four posts in all, and the first one is now in the right hand sidebar under Tutorials.  (Look down by the Free Patterns.)  I'll try to republish one a week, and then perhaps move on to some of the topics I never got around to last year.

One of my goals with this dyeing venture is to be able to give folk a reasonably accurate idea of what to expect from their hand dyed yarn, ie. the colour intervals and the effects they are likely to produce in a given type of project, because few things are more disappointing than a spectacular skein that looks like a dog's breakfast knitted up.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, and some knitters love certain effects while others hate them, but I think it would be nice to be able to predict how a given skein is likely to behave.  (Note I said likely - nothing is ever certain, especially when knitting in the round, but some effects are much more probable than others from a particular skein.)

To that end, I've concluded that a bit of anthropometric data would be helpful.  It also seems like a good time to run my first ever contest!

Here's what I want to know: the length of yarn required to knit exactly one round of a sock: firstly the cuff or foot, and secondly, the largest circumference of the heel gusset.  Doesn't matter what pattern - the only constraints are that it be fingering weight yarn and some sort of standard sock construction (ie. no sidewinders.) One way to do this would be to tie a small slipknot in the yarn, tink back exactly one round and measure.  You could also measure and mark a specific interval - say, 40 inches - knit exactly one round and subtract what was left to arrive at the measurement.  Oh - and your shoe size.  All sizes are welcome, particularly plus sizes.

To summarize: send me an email at ruth AT impulse-of-delight DOT com (make the obvious substitutions) with:

1. Length of yarn in one cuff or foot round (feel free to make a note if these are different)
2. Length of yarn in one round at the widest part of the heel gusset
3. Shoe size
4. Any other comments

and I will put your name into the pot for a random draw for a skein of sock yarn custom dyed in the colourway of your choosing.  If I get lots of responses, I will draw for more than one.  If you are knitting socks for other people (preferably adults), feel free to include data for them too - each set of data counts as an entry, and another chance to win!  I'm tentatively thinking of collecting responses for a month? a couple of weeks?, but I honestly haven't the faintest idea what, if any, response there will be, so I'll play the specifics of that by ear.

And since I can't bear to have a picture-less post:

Taken from our patio early this morning, with the mists still swirling around the mountain.  This time of year, the crows and ravens argue over the sturdy topped cedars, while the songbirds secure the tippy tops of the wobblier trees, and their joyful cacophony echoes up and down the valley.

Comments

[margene]

That picture is so peacefully beautiful.

[Cheryl]

Wow! What a beautiful picture!

[lucette]

I like the mists swirling around the mountains. I like mountains. Beautiful photo.

[Rhonda]

That is the view I want one day. Somehow, here in crowded Tokyo, I look out my living room window and see the neighbors front door across the street(it is a 4m wide street!) I am so jealous.
I love your sock yarn.

[Kathleen C.]

Perfect timing as I'm just about to cast on a new pair of socks with... the most beautiful skein of Newly Green in superwash!!!
The yarn I ordered arrived yesterday and it's just lovely. I am in love with it.
Thank you!

[=Tamar]

Don't you also need to know the size of needle, and maybe the gauge?