The Fish Lips Kiss Heel is a paid for pattern on Ravelry, but I think it's only $1.20, a nominal amount. I have to say that I was flabbergasted when I downloaded the pattern and printed it out, it consists of sixteen pages. SIXTEEN PAGES, yes you read that right, and that's not a sock pattern, that's just the heel pattern. I started to read through it but just found it totally overwhelming so it was put to one side, along with the Lavender Socks I'd started knitting in order to try out this heel pattern.
It was while I was watching Bumble Stitches podcast and discovered that Nicola was going to be hosting a Try Something New Knit Along, where you have a go at a technique that's new to you, that I thought the Fish Lips Kiss Heel would be something I could join in with, so I got out my hibernating project and gave it a go.
I made sure that I had plenty of time on my own when I picked the pattern up again so that I could read it and digest it. In actual fact, it contains a lot of information but you only really need three of those sixteen pages in order to create the heel.
Once I'd sifted through the pattern finding the relevant parts, I had the first heel knit up in no time at all. It's a very easy pattern to follow but I'd say it would be helpful if you knew how to knit an ordinary heel flap and gusset heel first so that you understand the construction of a heel before giving this a go.
My Lavender Socks (named as the yarn's name is Lavender Print) have turned out well, I even managed to match them up perfectly. I knit these using Drops Fabel, a yarn I haven't used before. It's well priced and although it isn't as soft as some of the other yarns I've used, it isn't too scratchy. I think it's a good budget priced yarn.
I like the fit of the Fish Lips Kiss Heel and I'm sure I'll use the pattern again in the future.
These socks were going to be for me but as is often the case, I've found a more worthy cause. You may remember that I gifted a pair of socks a couple of years ago for the Yarndale Sock Line and it's just recently that Christine from Winwick Mum blog has written her Yarndale Sock Line 2017 post asking for hand knitted or hand crocheted socks, once again, to display at Yarndale before being gifted to people in need.
I've printed off a label from Christine's blog and these socks will be winging their way over to Skipton very soon. I hope that they'll bring some much needed comfort to someone less fortunate than myself. If you fancy joining in, you can find all the information on Christine's Yarndale Sock Line 2017 post.
16 pages! Crumbs, my three paragraph tea cosy has been in ravelled so many times I've lost count! Love the docks and your generosity. Tx
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe how many pages were printed out, I'm glad I didn't need them all in order to knit the heels.
DeleteI've heard the Fish Lips Kiss Heel (what a brilliant name) mentioned a lot on podcasts, no one has ever mentioned it was that many pages though, wow. It sort of puts you off when you have to sift through so many pages, but i'm glad you sorted it in the end. The sock look lovely, someone will be very lucky to receive them, and what a great cause :-)
ReplyDeleteI put this project to one side for quite some time before I could muster up the enthusiasm to sift through all the information. I'm glad I did though, it's a great fitting heel.
DeleteThe heel looks amazing, Jo. How kind of you to donate the pair to a worthy cause. Now you'll just have to knit yourself another pair to compensate! :oD
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking I'm going to get a pair for myself and them someone or something else comes along to thwart it. I don't mind though, just more lovely sock knitting to do.
DeleteI have the heel pattern and was just too overwhelmed by all those pages. I fluctuate between the heel from vanilla is the new black, an afterthought heel and Mandy's garter stitch heel from the Dittany Socks pattern. Perhaps I ought to knuckle down and try to kiss the fish lips heel.
ReplyDeleteI was exactly the same being overwhelmed by the pattern when it was first printed out. I'm glad that I got to grips with it though, I'm sure it's a pattern I'll use again as it does give a good fit.
DeleteThe finished socks look lovely... and I'm sure that they'll find a very appreciative home after Yarndale. Are you going again this year? Jx
ReplyDeleteThe Yarndale Sock Line is such a great cause, it's nice to know that my socks will keep someone snuggly. I'm not sure whether I'll be at Yarndale or not again this year, it always falls on an inconvenient weekend as it's when Eleanor starts her university term, and Daniel before her.
Delete16 pages, sadly I don't think I would get past the first page. I am in awe of your skill with knitting socks.
ReplyDeleteI nearly lost the will to live when I saw how many pages the pattern was printed over, though it wasn't quite so bad once I'd worked it all out.
DeletePam mentioned the afterthought heel - I think it is the simplest of heels to do, although it perhaps isn't quite as neat a fit.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried the afterthought heel, I'll have to give that one a go at some point.
DeleteThe heel looks really neat. I hadn't heard about this method before, I'll have to try it. You'll have to make some more socks now which I'm sure will be a delight.
ReplyDeleteThe heel's a really good fit so I can see that I'll use the pattern again, perhaps on a pair of socks for myself next time.
DeleteWow, 16 pages, that does seem a lot of extra words (and work) if you only really need 3 of them. The socks look fab - look at that pattern matching! How lovely of you to donate them.
ReplyDeleteThe pattern goes in to the whys and wherefores, which explains everything well, but it's rather long winded when you just want to get on with the knitting.
DeleteWhat a beautiful pattern, your socks look very professional xx
ReplyDeleteI hope they'll brighten up someone's day.
DeleteMy goodness! 16 pages is a lot. I don't like picking up stitches - I always seem to end up with a gap.
ReplyDeleteYour socks are so neatly done. I love the colour and it's so very thoughtful of you to give them to such a worthy cause. X
I don't mind picking up stitches. The secret to eliminating the gap is to pick up an extra stitch between the gusset and the instep stitches, this certainly helps.
DeleteAs you know, I'm not a knitter ... but I loved reading about this 'Fish Lips Kiss Heel'... and the worthy cause your knitted socks will be going to.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I think this is Yarndale Sock Line's third year and it's such a great cause with lots of sock knitters coming together to help others.
DeleteI did exactly the same thing that you did...I purchased this pattern months ago and was going to knit a pair of socks using it. I really liked the simplicity of the heel and was excited to get started on it but the amount of information in the pattern overwhelmed me. So I set it aside and it's sat in a bag ever since. Most everyone including the author says that it's a rather simple and even intuitive technique once you learn it - I just have to find the patience to tackle it that first time.
ReplyDeleteI think most people feel overwhelmed when they download the pattern, it's just so comprehensive and totally overwhelming as it contains so much information and needs sifting through before getting started. I'm glad I've got to grips with it though now, I'm pleased how it turned out and I'll use it again.
DeleteWhat a great idea, socks for those in need is a worthy knitting project.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is. I know my feet feel snuggly inside hand knitted socks so I hope they'll bring a little comfort to someone in need.
DeleteI can see why you'd need a good chunk of time to digest all that info! 16 pages!!
ReplyDeleteIt's very generous of you to send them on, I'm sure they will be much loved by the lucky recipient.
Lisa x
It's quite an easy pattern and it's a nice neat heel which fits well so I suppose it's worth the time needed to sift through all the information.
DeleteGoodness me! 16 pages certainly sounds daunting, glad you whittled it down to three useful ones.xxx
ReplyDeleteI think there's been quite a few people who have felt the same as I did when I first downloaded the pattern. I'm glad I managed to wade through it all though as it's a heel pattern I'll definitely use again.
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