Clue 1 - Color Popportunity Socks

[@Lolana1822]

This is my first pattern from you, and my first MKAL. I just wanted to say I deeply appreciate how detailed this video is (that there is a video at all!), that you're showing both English and Continental style and how nicely written the pattern is. I already know this will be very fun to knit and I'm looking forward to the end result. Thank you!

[@StephenWest]

Thank you so much! There's something new and fun to try each week during this Sock Along. I can't wait to see the sections build together.

[@andreamiller6200]

May I just say how much I enjoy you, Stephen, and it is a real treat that Clue 1 goes for a hour!

[@agnesscherzinger9023]

At the beginning I was a little frustrated, but then I just needed to change the yarn and now I really loved it. At a beginner knitter it is so helpful to watch and rewatch the video!!

[@СветланаКузьмина-к6ч]

Господи! Какая тонкая нить! Как это сложно! Какой Вы умница! Люблю смотреть Ваши ролики!❤

[@stitchesandjacks7692]

Wow amazing, you never fail to surprise Stephen! I love this design element and am really excited to cast these on xxx

[@elvirakammerscheid6340]

What a great idea to knit the shank crosswise! I like to do that, but without pattern and color mix. Knitting socks is certainly more fun this way and I have to dye wool first, because I want to have twice the fun. Thank you very much!

[@resourcedragon]

Oh, dear! I thought the cast on was Tuesday 16 July, not 9 July! I haven't balled my hanks yet. Well, I've done one mini-skein while watching this. This does take sock knitting to the next level, these are going to be some of the most original socks anyone has ever met.

[@lavendercottagefibrearts]

So excited for this surprise sockalong. Stephen you are such a great teacher I think even if the final product is not my cup of tea I will still learn loads making the sock.

[@teolaiknitskelly3874]

The knitting flat has me intrigued.

[@deborahdrager1019]

So appreciate your very detailed tutorials. I don't know who initially started doing tutorial for knitting patterns, but it is so thoughtful and helpful with new techniques. Thank you for your time and patience.

[@alexyes4290]

Hi Stephen, it was a surprise for me to start flat, I had to read the pattern twice to see if I was right 😅. Your video is very helpful, thank you so much!! Here in Italy is so so hot today but I’m going to start my sock anyway!! Ciao!! 🇮🇹

[@sandylynn8688]

FABULOUS! BRILLIANT! THANK YOU, Stephen West!

[@SpaceCowGirl001]

Thank you for sharing these tips! I do adore the way you teach, greetings from Colombia.

[@StephenWest]

You are so welcome!

[@eldiademaria8455]

Mi primer patrón de tus calcetines y mi primer kal contigo, super emocionada 😊

[@Kyaravp]

At first when seeing the pattern I was a little nervous about all the techniques but with this video it all became so easy and clear! Looove it. Excited what’s to come 😊

[@StephenWest]

Thanks so much!

[@joannastephens3682]

These socks are going to be wild!!!!!! Gotta make a pair for hubby

[@karolinakarolina2587]

Knitting flat??? From the beginning it brings surprises 🥰🎁 Great tutorial, thanks ☺️

[@anitacharlton5662]

So delighted to be knitting my first Stephen West pattern! And what I hope to be the most complex sock knitting so far to make an interesting and unique gift for a friend’s 60th using a crazy zauerball and neon green. Love your video tutorial ❤

[@StephenWest]

So fun! What a great gift for your friend.

[@kaylaaa6351]

This is absolutely incredible. A work of art!

[@tylerletourneau3785]

Just picked up my yarn and about do my swatch tonight, wish me luck. Never made a sock before

[@StephenWest]

So exciting!

[@tylerletourneau3785]

I’m torn on what size to do. My foot measures 11” should I do size 4 or size 5??

[@sachan4204]

Wow! what a beautiful welt!!! 😍😍😍😍😍

[@gillianshiels6068]

Amazing design, I always look at your projects and think they'll be too complicated for me but once I get started I remember I only need to concentrate on one row at a time. Can't wait to see how my colours work out on the welts😊

[@StephenWest]

That's such a great outlook...you can do it!

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

Oh my gosh!, I could hardly listen for looking at your sweater! So good!❤❤❤

[@StephenWest]

Oh thank you!

[@Cdwny]

At the beginning of the video I was like ‘wow this looks fun’. After contrast number 1 I was like ‘huh, this is not your basic K1P2 sock’. By the third contrast color I was like ‘hmmm….maybe not for you’ 😊 I really enjoyed your manner in teaching this. Thank you. Edited to add : the ‘not for you’ referred to my skill level, or lack there of, not the sock. The sock looks super fun!

[@ChemCath]

Hope you finish because it will be unique and you never know how it is going to look like at the end. Just take it one row at a time. And if it is not for you there is probably someone in your life that would love it!

[@WhattheBeck]

excited to try these and relieved to see we are starting flat!

[@barbmckinlay5108]

Darn it Stephen! I wasn’t going to make these. After watching how can I not make them? Awesome instructions! ❤

[@Kyeta96]

I was exactly the same. Do I need any more WIPs in my life? NO. But then I saw the video and had to quickly scrounge my stash. I am enjoying the first clue. Thank you, Stephen!

[@beabooks7486]

You made a shawl socks!! Thats amazing!! ❤️❤️

[@katywuste9054]

So much imagination and the colours are beautiful

[@kayefudge9469]

Hi I've never knitted socks before but I've bought 😊the yarn so I'm hoping to do them! Kaye 😊

[@dantdmsheep5663]

Love the colors you have in your example yarn.

[@michellebabin7582]

It’s so beautiful as always thank you very much

[@basketcase2384]

Its my first KAL with you, Stephen, and I am having so much fun! Just got to the Chevron section and I havent looked ahead - no spoilers! - can't wait to see what it will look like! Thank you for all that you do

[@StephenWest]

Have fun!

[@mariarogel2006]

Wow! Can’t wait to start knitting it. So creative!!

[@StephenWest]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@dinaboop]

Wow, what a unique sock design, fun! If you make the foot black and white it will be like 80's aesthetic, ha

[@lyndakuit7703]

So exciting and intriguing!! Thank you so much for such a clear tutorial. This is my first MKAL I'm very excited to learn these new techniques which you have explained so clearly.

[@StephenWest]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@jenniferg5625]

I’ve done knit alongs before, but never a mystery one! This will also be my first time knitting one of your patterns. I’ve just watched your video and i LOVE your enthusiasm and you explain everything so clearly! I’m going to try to only follow the pattern to keep with the mystery, so i haven’t gotten far in the video, but I’m really excited!

[@StephenWest]

So fun! I hope you enjoy it.

[@jomeurer9444]

You are truly brilliant! Thank you so much! Loving this! ❤

[@yvettepalacios3435]

Ooh, I love it already!🎉💜

[@Masseyman399]

So chuffed with myself....I have completed Clue 1 and with a striped binding too!!! I hope the next clue isn't any trickier technically. I feel this level of difficulty is manageable!

[@jenniferg5625]

I think what impresses me the most is you break your yarn with your hands!! 😬😂

[@angelac8421]

Can’t wait to start this pattern 🧦 🤩

[@karintrost7262]

Thank you, it is so phantastic. 🌈💗

[@StephenWest]

I'm glad you like it!

[@monahoscheid]

My first pattern from you

[@StephenWest]

How exciting! Welcome to the woolly world of Westknits 🎉

[@TrickyNight24]

So unique!

[@duqueartist3026]

Espectacular!❤❤❤

[@anothermysteriousworld]

Omg, that looks amazing

[@carolinelester2027]

Brilliant video, thank you so much.

[@StephenWest]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@shellyko1058]

Dear Stephen, what an intriguing way to begin a sock. I love it. Thank you for sharing. Maybe a new way to knit some socks for kids?

[@evaromain3199]

Hi dtephen, as usual it is popping up, colors and technics. Hopefully tbere is a video. ❤

[@christinelacroix1837]

Merci❤❤❤❤❤

[@ChemCath]

I had to frog back to the end of the Chevrons and go up a size due to my calves being fatter than my foot size. And wanting things to be symmetrical. The striped 3-stitch icord bind off is going to be interesting when I get there again. But I have already learned a couple of new techniques and was pretty pleased with myself until the tube didn’t fit. I get to use the yarn twice! 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ireneperez5242]

Such a great tutorial!

[@StephenWest]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@louiseunforgatable5459]

interesting beginning 😉

[@elizabethtrimble6853]

This is gonna be fun!!

[@Masseyman399]

This is the first time I have joined the sock knit a long and I look forward to starting this evening! Having such a detailed video is excellent, I consider myself to be an experienced beginner but probably wouldn't attempt with the pattern alone, the video makes all the difference! I am also interested in buying the pattern for one of your previous hiberknitalong shawls, the glittering snowflake...is there a tutorial video available for that shawl at all? Again, I don't have the confidence to work just from the pattern.

[@StephenWest]

The Glittering Snowscape Shawl includes some video tutorials linked throughout the pattern for some of the specific techniques, but that shawl doesn't have a tutorial showing every single section. Many of the stitches in that shawl are simple ones with short pattern repeats.

[@Юрьевна-л1е]

Вы Гений в вязании! Очень аккуратное вязание. Джемпер на Вас, просто класс, влитой. Кто Вас обучал вязанию? Все шедеврально. Впервые вижу цветной айкорд!!!

[@maricarmenaguadocabrero690]

Gracias eres un genio❤

[@ClerkFirstChurchofChristScient]

I didn't see in the written pattern that it was to be knit flat. I just assumed you forgot to say "join to knit in the round." Which was silly to think that because your patterns are wonderful. Once I saw the video I saw my mistake. Thank you for providing these great videos. I did the SAL last year and love my socks. They are a perfect fit!

[@tusara748]

So schön, fast zu schade für Socken. Das könnte ich mir als Armstulpen gut vorstellen. Die kann man dann stolz immer ansehen.

[@sandra-martina3915]

Wow, grandiose Konstruktion ❤

[@annabellavampirella]

Hooray for fun

[@latetotheparty4785]

The tube fits around my ankle, but the selvage stitches are too tight, I’m anxious I’ll break the yarn. I knit both tubes. I’m thinking about frogging and changing the selvage stitches to garter.

[@wronggeometry]

It's giving me clowncore and I love it

[@SophiePieroni]

My wool hasn’t arrived yet 😩 and I really want to start now! Tempted to raid my stash…

[@romyb.4613]

Only one word....CRAZY😂

[@StephenWest]

I had so much fun designing this one!

[@leslienero7884]

I was wondering how this was going to be a sock! Whoa!

[@kathyeaston3167]

Hi Stephen when I do the first pattern row on row 3 I only end up knit two together three times instead of four times so I added two more stiches. I hope to hear from you tomorrow. Kathy 15:29

[@StephenWest]

Hi Kathy! It's totally fine to sneak in stitches like you did. If you want help with that section, you can reach out to my pattern support team at [e-mail] and they will be happy to help.

[@lindacornelius3451]

Thank you, knew knitter. I have made one half of a pair

[@leslienero7884]

Wondering if the 3 welts go in the back, on the side? Anyway, I did clue 1! Not sure if this is a sock I will wear though.....

[@CarolCollins-p6k]

I have had to find a new way to do the welt because I am left handed so I’m working in the opposite direction..but I have done it. Spare a thought for us lefties!

[@ТатьянаСадовськая]

❤️❤️🥰

[@theknittingchick]

Hi Stephen, very interesting start. When I knit socks I normally knit them on a 2.5mm - 9" circular needle I cast on 72 stitches for the cuff and then I decrease 4 stitches to 68 and I then knit the leg. What Size should I follow for the leg of this pattern? Thanks

[@StephenWest]

Try following Size 2. You could always add a few more pattern repeats in the final section 4 to make it a little bit larger circumference if needed. The Leg tube should fit snug around your ankle/leg.

[@antoinettekellam6048]

Question are we repeating section rows 1-10 a total of 3 time and rows 3-6 twice

[@StephenWest]

My pattern support team would be happy to answer your questions! You can reach out to them at [e-mail]

[@FraukeMeyer-Grosu]

I discover knitting new since I entered paradise in Amsterdam last week: Stephen&Penelope. And now I start my first project with the Surprise Sock Along 2024. Very exciting for me, as I have to translate many things into German but not every single word ;-) @Westknits the best for knitters. Thank you, Stephen, for your wonderful videos. I am learning a lot. It is pure fun.

[@StephenWest]

Wow! This is going to be a fun first project. Feel free to message our pattern support team at [e-mail] if you have any questions. Enjoy!

[@Carly_C_Crochets]

Hi Stephen, thanks so much for this tutorial. If we cast on using a crochet hook, do we still need to slip the last stitch of the next row? That leaves me with 49 stitches of main colour and 1 stitch of contrast colour. Thanks!

[@StephenWest]

You need 50 total MC sts for Section 1 of the Sock.

[@Carly_C_Crochets]

@@StephenWest Thank you - so should I knit the last stitch rather than slipping it? Or is there a neater way of doing it? :)

[@resourcedragon]

@@Carly_C_Crochets: I just slipped mine and then knitted it the next row. (I also did a crochet cast on.) I am wondering, though, if I should have snuck in an extra row, a sort of row 0 (WS) that is worked the same way as row 2. The MC part of the long tail cast on is, I think, the live stitches that are used at the end when the work is joined together and we crochet cast on people don't get to the MC until row 1.

[@mariarogel2006]

What brand are your dpns? Thank you

[@alexbosch8289]

they look like they are knitpro zing needles

[@StephenWest]

My dpns are Knitpro Zing.

[@heleneduranton5312]

Bonjour j'ai compris le début mais apres rang 4 je dois repeter quel rang pour faire repetition merci

[@StephenWest]

Thank you for commenting! You can send an email to our pattern support team at [e-mail]. They'd be happy to help you out with your question.

[@carmenq1112]

Sorry to ask, how many stitches should I have at the end of row 4? Thanks

[@StephenWest]

Hi there! Please send a message to our pattern support team at [e-mail]. They will be happy to help you with your question.

[@carmenq1112]

Thank you ! I figured it out !

[@tylerletourneau3785]

Ok ok ok what is the case you have at the beginning??

[@StephenWest]

It's my Project 14 Needle Case from Re:Designed! They are available at Stephen & Penelope.

[@Dana-ny3fg]

Dpns please!

[@lindsay7031]

hey stephen, i want to cast on the socks but i can‘t find, how much stitches i need to cast on for the sizes. I already buy the sskal 24 😊

[@68morgaine]

You need to cast on 50sts

[@lindsay7031]

@@68morgaine for all sizes?

[@lindsay7031]

@@68morgaine 50 for all sizes?🙈

[@StephenWest]

50 sts. The instructions are in the Clue 1 PDF when you get the pattern on Ravelry or westknits.com for Color Popportunity Socks. If you previously bought that pattern then the update should be in your email inbox or ravelry inbox.

[@lisam8756]

So I thought I'd wait for a clue or two, see where this is going. Put on the video, " we're knitting the first clue flat.". ....wait.... WHAAAT????, . Hold please( sound of woman running , frantically grabbing needles and yarn, like it wasn't ready to go already 😂). 24 hours later I'm starting sock #2. I know you know, but this is SO COOL!!! I Thank you for the FUN you bring to the knitting party.😊

[@StephenWest]

Yay! I'm so happy you joined us for Clue 1, I had so much fun designing this pattern.

[@BärbelSòlyomvàri]

Wie immer- fabelhaft! Schade nur, dass die Anleitung nicht in deutscher Sprache verfügbar ist!

[@StephenWest]

I hope the tutorial helps!

[@sandralacompagnie2180]

❤

[@pattigolden1]

I might even try socks.... so far no desire. 😉🤣 Can you just tuck the ends inside the welt instead of trimming?? I'm now envisioning a scarf/shawl/wrap with the same stitch pattern!! 🤣😂🤣

[@guitarraroyala]

I also wondered about tucking the ends into the welt, lol 😂

[@kathyeaston3167]

Hi Stephen I would like help Kathy

[@StephenWest]

Hi Kathy! You can reach out to my pattern support team at [e-mail] with your questions, they will be happy to help

[@t3knosoulz]

I am always so shocked by what you come up with. Your mind is simply amazing. For all your mystery knits I think “surely he’s run out of ideas!” and then you drop this on us 🤣🩶

[@StephenWest]

Thank you so much! I hope you're having fun with the project

[@donnaluers4038]

Where is the pattern, I’m late to this party????

[@StephenWest]

You can download the pattern here... www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ssal-2024-color-popportunity-socks

[@CarolCollins-p6k]

I have had to find a different way of doing the welt because I am left handed and so work in the opposite direction. Spare a thought for us lefties! sometimes it can cause us a few problems

[@StephenWest]

I'm so sorry, since I'm not left handed there's not much guidance I can provide! I'm sure your finished socks will look great

[@TobyMax853]

Row 3 in the written pattern starts with k1 k2tog 4times, in the video it starts with k2tog 8 times.....

[@pathwalker1762]

No it doesn't - see timestamp 12.15 for row beginning. Good luck

[@TobyMax853]

​@@pathwalker1762You're right, my bad! I must have skipped to 13:40 and thought that was the start of the row 🫣

[@helenejacques7996]

Besoin d'aide en français svp. Rangs 5 à 10 je ne comprends pas. Merci

[@StephenWest]

I'm sorry we don't speak French, but you can try reaching out to our pattern support team at [e-mail].

[@pathwalker1762]

Anyone else a bit disappointed with the main colour yarn in the Nature surprise set? Or is it just me :(