Toe Testers Step Up

There’s not much more that I can say other than “Wow!” 

In the last post I asked if anyone wanted to test a new sock toe shape. The responses were fast, fantastic and fun and I can’t thank you all enough.

This was my first time posting an open call for testing a new idea. I knew I needed a variety of feedback because everyone’s knitting experience is different . . . and so are our feet. What if these sock toes only worked for my feet? Wouldn’t that be a bummer.

There were over 70 responses in less than a day. I eagerly read every note and answered each knitter as quickly as I could. (My apologies to a few that responded via WordPress vs. the email. There was no way to contact you).

Not only did responses come in quickly – unbelievably so did the photos. Some of the first arrived within 48 hours. I really appreciated that because I was waiting on pins and needles. In fact, I simply stared at the inbox for a few minutes, too nervous to read that first critique.

Why test knitting was important.

The bottom line is this toe needed testing because I am not an experienced sock knitter. I didn’t know what “real” sock knitters would think. I half expected them to respond that someone else had already done a version of this. On the other hand, they could have said too much detail without much difference so why bother.

I also realized that after a somewhat frenzied period of sock designing, I had committed a whole bunch of time knitting socks with this toe. If no-one else liked it I would have to start from scratch.

And the response was …

Overwhelmingly the response was positive. Yippee! Dancing around the living room. 

Testers like the fit and the increase techniques. “My new go to toe”, “I’ll use it again”, “No pressing on my toes”…

The test knitters really stepped up providing feedback that was nicely detailed. Some knitters sent back marked up PDF files and Word documents. There are a number of you who self-confessed that you jumped into knitting without reading everything first. That’s something I need to keep in mind when there are nuances to a technique so it’s not what you’re expecting.

Since most of you will not have tested the toe, I will hold the specific comments about the instructions until the sock announcement.

#1 comment everyone can use now

There’s no need to wait for the sock toe announcement to take advantage of the comment mentioned in 90% of the responses. Almost every knitter commented on the Knit 1 Back & Front. This simple change to the standard knit 1 front & back reduces the visibility of the increase in your knitting.

I blogged about it a few years ago but this was an opportunity to see how it works in the wild and knitters noticed. “I’ll use this increase in place of k1f&b in all my future knitting.” ” I love, love, love the kbf increase.”

What’s Next? When can I get the Nuanced Toe?

I’m updating the Nuanced Toe instructions based on feedback. Then I need to create a table with cast on stitches, number of symmetric and asymmetric increases for different yarn gauges and foot sizes. This way you can use it for all your socks.

The prototype tested was for shaped toes but the tables will include an option for shorter toes and a symmetric toe for people who do not want a right and left sock. All my sock patterns will also have different designs on each leg so it will be easy to see which is which but obviously most patterns do not.

Next Up – Local Yarn Shop Day

I also have some knitting to do for the 2nd annual Support Your Local Yarn Shop Day on Saturday, April 27th. Most of your favorite yarn shops will be having special events so I hope you’ll stop by. I’ll be a Jimmy Beans Wool in Reno where I teach.

You have to know I wouldn’t knit a chevron shawl without adding something new to the design – right? Of course not. You’ll spot some of my favorite Nuances in here including the Resilient Cast On, Showy Decrease and you probably won’t notice that K1b&f increase we just talked about even though it’s there.

Did I mention it’s a 1,000 meters? I’d better get knitting. I need to get this done so I can get back to my socks.