New Pattern: Scrapix

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Scrapix , the “portmanteau” of Scrappy Helix, are worked using scraps of yarn using helical knitting to prevent any seam or jog. The pattern includes videos and lots of tips; all the test knitters got on really well with the helical knitting. 

pair of short socks on feet that fade from blue to pick

Helical knitting is a quite a simple technique but can sometimes feels daunting. There are quite a few questions about what to do in certain circumstances that pop up as you are knitting. The pattern has these questions (and the answers to them) at the relevant points throughout the pattern. I've written it in this format, so you can quickly read the question and see if it's relevant or not — that way you don't need to read everything.

pair of short socks on feet that are faded from blue to pink

The socks are worked toe-up, allowing complete versatility on the yarn you use and the pattern includes 3 choices of toes to suit every toe type and knitting skill.

Scrapix is a pattern that was written awhile ago and I was always a little unsure about releasing it, since the helical knitting made the pattern a bit unorthodox. However, it is a pattern that I have personally knitted from again and again, so I thought if I'm getting that much use from it then others will too.

There's a lot of different ways that you can use your yarns to play about and create your own unique socks. The main sample is done use the "alternating helical and stripes" method, which works particularly well if you want to fade your yarns together. If you have lots of smaller lengths of yarn or want a more uniform striping, then the "all helical" might work better. Or you can even combine the two and get really creative.

Alternating helical and stripes
 
All helical

Like this pair...
helically striped socks on sock blockers in a variety of grey yarns

You'll probably have noticed that the examples that I've shown you are all matching pairs. There is advice in the pattern on how to achieve this. But you don't need to go for the matching socks, use your creativity and make a non-matching pair instead!

The pattern is written in a way that you can easily use it to knit a plain pair instead. I don't know about you but I love a heel flap and gusset. Here's a pair that don't use the helical technique (please excuse the dodgy picture!)

pair of hand knitted sock on sock blockers with contrasting red and a mottled green/red for the main

I hope that you find as much use and fun out of this pattern as I have.

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