Campanula short row fun...

I did the heel. (pipe in Chariot's of Fire) I typically do not like a toe-up pattern. But I think this short row heel is too clever every time I do it. I think I may get by with no holes around the gusset even. But I cannot abandon the cuff-down pattern, I cannot.

First of all I love the kitchener stitch - I know not everyone does - but I love it. I got a nifty card which outlines every little bit of the kitchener at my first sock knitting class and have it laminated for reference. I just love how the stitches come off and the unfinished toe is nowhere to be found, no evidence remains that merely moments earlier a toe could have been peeking out. To be fair, I hate almost every other type of seaming - blech.

I also am in love with the turning of the heel, the whole pomp and cicumstance of it all. I can tailor the look a bit if I choose, and it offers something new, rather than going round and round(and round and round...). Once the flap is appropriately fabulous you get to "turn"...all of those stitches whittling down until it's time to pick up stitches. I get a little ugly when there is a hole in the gusset because I usually can't be sure until I am too many rows along to go back. And then I start bargaining with myself how I can hide that hole...do I try to stitch it up from the inside? No, I will just wear the whole to the inside of my leg and no one (except for you savvy knitters) will be the wiser. However, Grumperina's tutorial on picking up stitches the pretty way is probably a bit more insightful.



So all things considered...I am liking the Campanula though it seems like the foot may have come out a bit wide or "baggy"? I probably should have done 3.5 lace repeats instead of 4 but this foreign toe-up business left me a little dumbfounded - or so I will blame. I'm considering getting jiggy with it and ribbing up the back rather than doing lace repeats all the way around since in my mind that may help it "stay up" but in reality should the lace be a bit more unforgiving around the leg, hopefully solving the baggy foot issue? The roominess leaves the lace pattern less pronounced but I don't think I can't bring myself to pull back this heel, the heel I so lovingly worked on this morning - like learning another language, I kept having to refer to Wendy's tutorial. A "toe-up to English" dictionary if you will. Any knitterly suggestions for me? Please apply within.