Estonian Socks, part 3/Folk Socks

Before I get into other things I want to write about, here's the last installment of the report on the Nancy Bush weekened.
On Sunday, we delved more into Folk Socks which included different heels to knit; and a huge show and tell of the original Folk Socks from the book that started it all!

The Round Heel I was familiar with. I use it for almost all of my socks. Here, I used a variation on that heel called the Half Handkerchief Heel or Flat Iron Heel.



This next one was a first, but I really like it a lot, as it serves as a knee cap cover on it's own, or a water bottle bottom cozy. :)
I present: The Band Heel.



I will definitely try that one again in the future. There is no gusset after you pick up the stitches from the heel flap, because decreases are worked before the heel turn! This has the huge advantage of not disturbing any stitch patterns such as fair isle, as your stitch count is exactly the same after the heel turn as it was at the top of the sock.

And here's the show and tell of the folk socks. (There had been show and tell of Estonian Lace shawls the night before, but I had to be discrete and not take any pictures. Well, basically we got to see all of Nancy's work as it is shown in her four books. I will forever be in awe.)

Thank you, Nancy!

Estonian Socks, part 2

Here are some beautiful colorways some of the other workshop participants decided on; Stephanie somehow managed to match the sofa she was sitting on!

Here's Nancy, talking about REAL, authentic, bought at an Estonian market, stockings.

I later grabbed them and attempted to count the sts/in.

The white part above the colorwork measured 11 sts/in.

The part below the colorwork measured 16 sts/in. I think. I was getting all crosseyed! And the color work itself? Not a chance. But so, so gorgous.

Estonian Sock Knitting workshop, part 1

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to participate in our annual knitting guild retreat. We had a really great time. Our workshop leader this time was Nancy Bush, Queen of Estonian Knitting.
On Saturday, we learned how to make an Estonian inspired sock. Usually, the gauge for these socks is a lot smaller than what we were working on (at least 8 sts/in vs. our 6 sts/in). But for the sake of a 6 hour workshop, we worked on Dk weight yarn and size 3 needles.
We started at 10 am, had lunch, dinner, and other munch breaks, and I actually managed to finish my sock at around 8 pm.
Here's a blow by blow of how my sock grew.

Here, you can see the Double Start Cast on, and the braid called Kihnu Vits (a braid from the island of Kihnu):


Next, Roositud patterning or inlay begins on the sides of the sock, and mock cables down the top/instep:


Completion of the Roositud Patterning; what looks like embroidery, is worked in as you go; on the right side of this part of the sock, you can see the 1x1 rib that is worked down the back of the sock.

You can find descriptions of all these techniques in Folk Knitting in Estonia. All charts are (c) Nancy Bush.

My finished sock on my phat leg; the heel is what we now call a Dutch heel. The toe is a Round Toe (please refer to Folk Socks).

Top of the leg/instep shows mock cables. They stop before toe shaping.

Ain't it a beauty? Now I must go off to make the second one....

More about Nancy Bush and her work in a later post.

lucky!

Tonight's the night I get to pick up Nancy Bush from the Albany airport. I can't believe it myself. I get to have one of the most prolific knitters, designers, and knitting historians in the car with me, alone, for a whole half hour, before we reach our destination.
This weekend is the annual knitting retreat of our guild, organized by LYSO Stephanie Olivo. Stephanie always performs miracles, and due to her organizational skills I have had the good fortune to be able to take workshops with such knitting luminaries as Lucy Neatby, and Candace Eisner Strick. (I missed the one where they had Judy Pascale...)

This weekend, we will delve into Estonian Knitting (6 hr workshop on Saturday), and all manner of heels and toes on socks (3 hrs on Sunday).
I plan to have all my Nancy Bush books autographed :)

Of course, due to the fact that I let myself get sidetracked by knitting 12 hats, I did not make much progress on my socks from Knitting Vintage Socks.

I did, however, finish this:

A birthday present for a friend.

200 stitches on a size 10.5 needle, Lily Chin Nolita (?) and debbie bliss cashmerino aran (black). Alternating stripes of garter and stockinette, the black st st recedes in between the colorful novelty. I added little ruffly edges.

I have to run now and go grocery shopping, you know, stock up for the family so they won't starve, and get packed. The knitting is the most essential thing, of course. At least this time, I'll know what to bring along:

socks.

I'll see you all Sunday night.