The Not a Fool for the Pool Contest

Updated 22 July to add a link to the prize page.

Back in Normandy, I promised to knit my step-mother-in-law a pair of socks. She chose the pattern and the color: red. I don't know if she'd like variegated yarn or on which side of the pool debate she'd fall, but the red seemed stronger than the bits and pieces of dark colors in this skein.

On the record: I don't care for pooling, but I can tolerate small amounts. However, these pools of really dark blue and green look like bruises. Could you imagine how skeeved you'd be if one of your tomatoes had marks like that? And anyway, the stitch pattern and the variegation no worky.

Not only is it time to buy another yarn for her socks, but it's also time to dip into the Wollmeise. There's a lot of buzz swarming around this yarn, probably because it's the first notable indie yarn in Europe. There are more than 100 skeins of Wollmeise stashed in Ravelry -- pretty amazing since there's no shopping cart on Claudia's Web site. You order via email.

I made first contact this morning, and there's something in it for a lucky one of you.

Contest! Contest! Contest!

Here's the deal. I have been spending way too much time on the interweb (no thanks to the new Ravelry groups), and not enough time cranking through my summer knitting goals. This Tapis Colinette Jitterbug needs a pattern, a pool-defying pattern. I can't possibly go it alone.

Here's where you come in. Send me an email (knittingsutra AT gmail DOT com Subject: Contest) with a link or citation to your favorite pool-defying sock pattern, and I'll put your name in a drawing for a prize. If you mention this contest on your blog (post a link in the comments), I'll add you to the pool a second time. For each participating person who says he or she heard about the contest from your blog, you'll get another chance to win.

Note that you can enter the contest simply by posting about the contest on your blog, you know in case you have no more clue than I do. ;)

Deadline for entries: July 31, 2007, 6:00PM EST (that's midnight my time).

There are only a few of rules:

1. Obviously there's no way to absolutely prevent the pool, but the pattern has to do a pretty good job of it. If possible, your links should include photos so I can verify. For patterns from books, see if you can find a photo in Flickr or Ravelry.
2. You cannot suggest Monkey Socks because its pool-blocking properties are well-known.
3. It's OK if you think the pattern combats the pool of a specific yarn, and it doesn't have to be Jitterbug.

4. Since submissions are anonymous, people can submit the same pattern.

The prize is a skein of 4ply superwash Wollmeise sock yarn and a small casual bag from Mono Amsterdam in your choice of fabric. Mono Amsterdam bags are sold in a teeny shop in the Jordaan, the hippest neighborhood in Amsterdam. The store is so small that they only accept cash. So this is a very exclusive bag, and you'll get the pleasure of knowing that I'm going to slink up to Amsterdam to get it just for you. I will also throw in some surprise Dutch goodies. I'll make it all good, I promise.

Head on over to the prize page for the prize pr0n.

Comments

[Rachel]

Nice idea for a contest! I, of course, have no suggestions since though I am ready to take the leap into the world of socks, I haven't actually jumped yet. BUT...I will post a link to your contest on my blog...I don't have a lot of readers but many that I have are part of the sock-knitting world. I'm finding the knitting blog community more helpful with my knitting problems than my local knitters so if even indirectly, I can help with your dilemma, I'll try! Good luck finding the perfect pattern!

[Heather]

How funny, I emailed Claudia yesterday about the Wollmeise because I am so smitten with it! I'll do my best to think of an anti-pooling pattern...because I REALLY want to win this one!!

[tiennie]

I will totally be interested in what people suggest b/c I have a sock on the needles now that is pooling so much - I hate it!

[Jessica]

Oooh I'm going to have to think on this one. I hope you'll post all the suggestions when it's over. This could be a great resource!

[Jean]

Great contest idea! My thinking cap is on. When the contest is over, I hope you'll post the suggestions you receive. It would be a public service to list all the ideas for non-pooling patterns.

[trek]

I knit this Jaywalker from Regia Stretch Crazy Color (colorway 116) using the 84 stitch cast on and size 2 needles. Nice striping.

Pattern: http://magknits.com/Sept05/patterns/jaywalker.htm

Sock picture: http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1853/507/1600/caribbeanjay3.jpg

[Jen in CT]

Hi Jen! What a fun idea for a contest. I hope someone comes up with a good pattern since I am also in the market for one that defies color pooling. Also, I set up a survey to find out how many are for pooling and how many are against. Check it out. :-)

[Jennie]

Very cool contest. I'm still so new to knitting that I have no idea, but I'll definitely post about your contest on my blog in hopes that someone can help. :)

[Jen]

Thanks, ya'll! Don't forget that you can participate by posting to your blog, even if you don't have a pattern. I know it's a bit shameless self-promotion, but I really do want a nice, big list to share with you.

[Grad School Knitter]

Hi! I've posted a link to this page on my blog here: http://gradschoolknitter.blogspot.com/2007/07/links-links-and-more-links.html. Thanks for the fun contest and I look forward to seeing everyone's entries!

[Grad School Knitter]

oops.. the link doesn't work 'cause I added a . at the end. Try this:

http://gradschoolknitter.blogspot.com/2007/07/links-links-and-more-links.html

[Heddy]

I don't knit with a lot of hand-dyed or variegated yarns, but I would think that Broadripple would be a great pool-defyer. You'd think that anything that draws the yarn up and down in those wavy patterns would get the pooling out of the pattern -- oooh ... what about side-winders?. Sorry I have no proof that either of these would work, only suspicions.

I linked to your contest from my blog hoping some of my friends might be able to help. ( http://www.ewegottaknit.blogspot.com/ )

[KnittingHawkeye]

This is an awesome pattern that I'm knitting up on Jitterbug. My previous Jitterbug had a fun time pooling differently on both socks also. it's interesting lmfao

http://www.socktopia.net/patterns/carolina.pdf

[Schrodinger]

Did I already say what a great contest with great prizes? I just wanted to let you know that I linked to it in the hope that more people will be able to come up with more ideas for you: http://schrodinger212.blogspot.com/2007/07/handmade-sweater-that-fits-never.html

[Debra]

I have a few suggestions for you- the first two use slipped stitches to 'span out' lengths of color to show either on the same row a few stitches away, or on another row. The mad color weave may be the best choice for this yarn.

Ok. First: Crusoe by knitty. http://www.knitty.com/issuespring03/PATTcrusoe.html examples of knitted crusoes- including troublesome STR 'Fire on the Mountain':http://www.flickr.com/photos/bogiebogie/143780121/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/bogiebogie/149980909/in/set-1410363/

Second: Mad Color Weave. (Best choice, I think.) http://woolgatheringandmore.blogspot.com/2007/05/mad-color-weave-pattern-now-available.html pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/siggasif/681450957/

Leyburn might be another solution: http://pepperknit.com/blog/archives/344

An interesting choice might be Lucy Neatby's Mermaid sock (From "Cool Socks, Warm Feet!")- it's very similar to V. Avery's "boot sock" from the 2007 Summer IK. It's not going to stop the pooling== but will take the color and spread it out visually. (It'll look like it's moving across multiple rows). Of course, depending on how the blotching occurs-- it *might* make the problem worse.

Generally, I've always thought that Cookie's Pomatomus did a nice job of breaking up pools. You've probably seen many, many pictures of them, so I won't link. Knitty pattern.

Best of non-pooling luck!

[Debra]

Make sure to only count ONE entry from me--

I wanted to also mention that Feather & fan socks & Sock Bug's Lacy Scallops sock pattern break up pooling nicely. These patterns incorporate garter stitch rows every 4 to 8 rows, depending on the pattern. This seems to help shift the knitting to break up pooling. Sock Bug's pattern: http://files.blog-city.com/files/aa/3830/b/lacyscallops.pdf Feather & fan can be found many places. I believe there is one in the book "Socks, Socks, Socks!"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57669791@N00/42211075/

[Tanya]

Lol, well i have a great pattern that wouldnot pool well. It is for socks in the round on double circular needles that start from the cuff up.. a basic or ribbed pattern...but it is not on the net as yet, just in my stash that i use ALL the time! So I could not post a link but would be more than happy to scsn and email to you. I will also try and post a link on my site to you...i am a slight blog tater-tot as yet! Love knitting socks though and reading other bloggers ideas and thoughts!

[adrienne]

i posted your contest on my blog...oh boy! brownie point entry! that wollmeise is SURE
nice!

http://bellybuttonknits.blogspot.com

[Gladys]

I'll bet that Nona's Sidewinders socks don't pool: http://nonaknits.typepad.com/nonaknits/2007/06/sidewinders_the.html

[Anne]

I've had good luck with Jaywalkers, Broadripples (see Knitty.com), Waving Lace Socks (Favorite Socks), and Ann Budd's Chevron Socks (Getting Started Knitting Socks).

[Erin B]

Okay, pseudo made up pattern.
I use the universal toe up from knitty with the top of the foor and cuff made from the so called scarf pattern. No pooling becusae of the intermingling of colors.

Universal toe up
http://www.knitty.com/issuesummer06/PATTuniversalsock.html
so called scarf http://www.sheepinthecity.prettyposies.com/archives/000079.html

I second the sidewinders because it would be stripy not poolly

[Jen]

OK, you are linked up from my blog. And I'm emailing you a pattern I love, love, love. (2 points, yay meeee) :)

[Phara Thomas]

The Seize Diamondbacks are knit with Colinette Jitterbug...find them at http://www.yarnballboogie.com/?p=63. I have this pattern and yarn, but haven't knitted it yet. And I'm posting about this contest on my blog.

[Stacey]

I shamelessly advertized on my blog for another chance:)

http://peaknit.blogspot.com/2007/07/cool-contest-chance-to-win-none-other.html

Take care!

[Tanya]

Well...i tried to put my pattern i use so often into the pc to email it to you but it was not cooperating. So i hunted and found this pattern that is so similar to my own that I am submitting it to you!
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer07/PATTsweetpea.html