I finished the first Ocean Toes Sock last week. This was a pattern from Cat Bohrdi's newest book, New Pathways for Sock Knitters. I had a lot of fun knitting up the sock and learning a new architecture in the process!
This sock doesn't have a "normal" heel. You knit the leg as normal, and then you start regularly increasing at evenly-spaced points. This creates a sort of funnel.
From here, one works a heel turn that is similar to what is done after making a heel flap. Then the sole stitches are worked back and forth, picking up a stitch from the instep stitches (bottom of the funnel) at the end of each row. By the time all of these stitches are picked up, there's only about 30 rows left to go before the toe begins.
Here's a detail shot of the heel. There weren't any in the book, and I was curious about how it would look. A slip-stitch pattern on the heel is worked for the last few rows of the arch expansion, but the pattern pretty much continues all the way to the bottom.
In addition to an innovative architecture, I think Cat wrote a beautiful pattern. I really like all of the decorative details.
Oh, did you notice that this isn't knit up in the Yarn Pirate yarn I mentioned last time? I really needed to use size US2 needles for the sock to fit my foot. The Yarn Pirate was too thin, but I found some Koigu that was a great substitute. I'm going to have to do something with that Yarn Pirate yarn soon!
Kristy, your Ocean Toes looks great! I just got Cat's new book too, and am dying to try it out, but I have way too many projects on the needles to add another.
The heel looks fabulous!
Posted by: Linda | August 25, 2007 at 06:35 PM
That looks really interesting! Looking forward to getting that book.
Guess what I did today?!? Spun! Eek!
Posted by: Tanya | August 25, 2007 at 06:43 PM
Oooh, very pretty sock! Love the color.
Posted by: Emma | August 25, 2007 at 06:44 PM
What an amazing sock - I need to get a closer look at this book, everyone is raving!
Posted by: Stacey | August 25, 2007 at 07:10 PM
Very cool! That was my favourite sock in the whole book ... definitely a must-do!!
Posted by: Dave | August 25, 2007 at 07:14 PM
very cool! hopefully i can see it in person later this week :)
Posted by: jody | August 25, 2007 at 07:18 PM
Wow, that looks incredible. I particularly like the toe. I'm not daring enough to try anything other than plain old cuff-down socks. Otherwise, they end up in my pile of misfit knits. Great job.
Posted by: kim | August 25, 2007 at 10:44 PM
Wow! That is gorgeous!
I just ordered Cat's book this week-
now I can't wait :)
Posted by: Missy | August 25, 2007 at 10:50 PM
How very cool!
Posted by: tiennie | August 26, 2007 at 02:22 AM
Fab sock... I looked at this book recently in my lys and almost bought it too. It seems so interesting.
Posted by: ami | August 26, 2007 at 03:40 AM
Wow, that sock is great! Very interesting - and the yarn really shows off the design. Great job! I'll have to have a look at that book.
Posted by: Beth | August 26, 2007 at 07:36 AM
Oooh, what a pretty sock! Thanks for all of the pictures of the construction...I've been thinking of getting that book but have wanted to see more of what's in it before I do.
Posted by: whitney | August 26, 2007 at 08:22 AM
I've been eagerly awaiting my copy of Cat's new book to arrive in the mail. Seeing your new sock makes me anticipate it's arrival even more enthusiastically. Beautiful - and fascinating in its construction.
Posted by: Kirsten | August 26, 2007 at 08:55 AM
You did a magnificent job! I just finished this forst chapter and perused the patterns. What a book, no? I feel so enlightened! Yours looks just like the book's!!!
Posted by: Carol | August 26, 2007 at 10:29 AM
That pattern is really, really neat! Thanks for explaining the crazy heel so clearly. I hadn't heard about Cat's book -- will have to look it up!
Posted by: pamela wynne | August 26, 2007 at 12:09 PM
Gorgeous! I've been eyeing Kat's new book. The architecture is very interesting indeed.
Posted by: Kim | August 26, 2007 at 03:33 PM
What a fascinating pattern! I love the purl stitches incorporated in... a rarity in socks.
Posted by: knittingphilistine | August 26, 2007 at 06:23 PM
Very cool! Is it comfortable?
I'm having a devil of a time finding the book available anywhere. I don't think the first print run was large enough.
Posted by: Brenda | August 26, 2007 at 07:47 PM
Cool sock!
Posted by: Oiyi | August 26, 2007 at 11:09 PM
Fantastic construction! I'm curious to see more...
Posted by: Nora | August 27, 2007 at 12:11 AM
Thanks for this detailed post about this really awesome sock. I really need to get this book.
Your sock looks awesome!
Posted by: Christy | August 27, 2007 at 08:57 AM
Having seen this in person, it really is amazing architecture and beautiful too!
Posted by: Jessica | August 27, 2007 at 09:02 AM
how cool is that??!!?? I saw her on TV demonstrating one of her new constructions - I'll have to get that book....it looks really neat!
Posted by: stacey | August 27, 2007 at 09:05 AM
That is SOOO cool. I just got the book this weekend - I can't wait to try this!!!
Posted by: Erin | August 27, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Really, really cool!
Posted by: Jean | August 27, 2007 at 12:18 PM
I've been so curious about this book. I mean, what "new pathways?" Don't you just love that there are just endless possibilities in knitting?
Posted by: Liz K. | August 27, 2007 at 05:15 PM
Very nice! Those socks are very different looking. I like them in that colorway too.
Posted by: Diana | August 27, 2007 at 07:45 PM
Whoa! So cool! Do you think it's the kind of pattern where you can use the same basic "recipe" to knit different socks using the same basic construction? And adjust the measurements to fit different size feet (like wide heel, narrow ankle, etc)?
Posted by: Ariel | August 27, 2007 at 11:01 PM
That sock is extremely interesting. And a great match for the yarn pirate yarn! I wasn't planning on picking up the book, but now I'm totally intrigued.
Posted by: kelp! | August 28, 2007 at 01:30 AM
That sock is awesome! I like it, and it looks great!
Posted by: nova | August 28, 2007 at 11:05 AM