Sock news

Sock Summit 2011 is approaching fast, and nobody knows it better than ST-1. Among a million other tasks, they’ve got to figure out who will teach what during four sock-filled days. Imagine: dozens of teachers, umpteen three- and one-hour time slots, untold numbers of tantalizing topics. The mind boggles at the thought of spreadsheets bursting at the seams, and sticky notes threatening to take over dining room tables.

So far, I don’t know who all is teaching, and I don’t know exactly what my schedule will be. But it’s likely I’ll be teaching a handful of favorite classes. (Really, how could we not offer Cast-on Cornucopia?) And I’ll probably be teaching a couple new classes.

That’s where you all come in.

I have tentative titles for the two new classes: Writing Sock Patterns and Socktastic Stitch Patterns. I have an idea of what I’d like to cover in each class. But – here’s the thing – if you were taking these classes, what would you want them to cover?

Here’s how I figure it: Writing Sock Patterns would not be a sock design class. (That’s non-negotiable.) Rather than “how to come up with a great sock design,” the class would cover “how to get a great sock design down on paper.” That is, once you’ve figured out the winning mix of construction, stitch pattern, and stitch counts, how do you write it all down such that someone else can make it happen?

Well, okay, this wouldn’t be a brand-new class, really. I’ve yakked on about pattern writing before, stressing the goals to keep in mind and the value of style guides. And I’ve certainly edited enough sock patterns, so I think I have a clue as to the particular pitfalls to avoid when writing a sock pattern.

But, again, if you were taking the class, what would you want it to cover? On a related note: Why would you take this class? Would you hope to sell sock patterns to magazines and yarn companies, or start your own pattern line, or ...? Tell me where you’re coming from, so I can meet you in the middle.

As for Socktastic Stitch Patterns, I figure it’d be fun to talk about tweaking stitch patterns: combining them to make interesting rib patterns; making a pattern’s repeat wider or narrower; planning the “flow” between a sock’s cuff, leg, heel, and toe. Skills like these make it possible to gussy up a basic sock pattern, to fine-tune the sizing of a sock, and to finesse a new design.

Sound good to you? Sounds kind of broad and unfocused to me. If you signed up for this class, where would you want the focus to be? What aspect of tweaking stitch patterns for socks really rings your bell?

One last bit of sock news: Yachats is now available on Patternfish. Get your copy now, and you have time to knit up a pair before spring break. :-)

Tagged: classes, pattern writing, patterns.