Maybe you have found a solution for the gusset decrease "ladders" by now, but I must tell you I have the same problem. They only appear on the left side of each of my socks - the side you show so clearly in your photo. Like you, I tried tightening up on the stitch before the SSK, and on the SSK itself, with only a little improvement. Since it's only on the SSK side of the sock, not the K2tog side, I feel the problem has to do with the formation of that particular decrease...so I intend to try other decreases that lean in the same direction as the SSK. Maybe someone can suggest some I might try? So far I have found two: #1 Slip 1 as to K, K1, then pass the slipped st over the knitted one #2 Slip 2 sts (1 at a time) as if to K, move both to the left needle and P them tog thru the back loop I can't even picture how #2 would be done!, but it's my intention to try out both on a swatch. Let you know. . . . As for the regular kind of ladders that can form at the needle changes, I have found that a tug on the first stitch of the new needle is good, but adding a tug on the SECOND stitch of the new needle made a difference for me. I actually end up with a slight ridge where I used to get a ladder! Some people give the last stitch on the old needle a tug too. Like you I used to tug SO HARD on the yarn I sometimes broke the strand if it didn't have any nylon reinforcement in it. Eventually you'll figure out where and how much is just enough. Wow, I seemed to have too much to say tonight. Hope some of it is of help. Linda74

been lurkin and watching your progress. That is a timeless color. Will "get along" with just about anything you put in the room with it, and look fantastic with the marble. Here is a similar color in a mosaic at The Breakers. It's that bit in the circle, just inward from the greek key border.

That is what makes this especially meaningful and fun for me to share. So many of you have been through my myriad of posts over these few years with each acquisition, bargain, odd doesn't seem to fit in but I had to have it find. I was hoping to come home to some drawer installations today... but DH wasnt' in the mood... he's allowed. I've done all of them so far so it may end up being my responsibility. I'm so tired after work... it's a waaayyyy longer drive from here. I always stop at the other house to pick something up, check on this, stop at the store. By the time I get in I just want to chill a bit and take a nap. This is why it's taking forever! Plus.... we are out of money for now!!

A2gemini, thank you for the kind words! I love your kitchen and had spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to make the Rixi work as it looks so gorgeous in your kitchen (and Ellendi's!). If you click in the picture, that should take you to a few more pictures at different angles, etc. I also showed some close ups of the edge we switched to which was more of a rounded edge with a flat bottom. We originally had a mitered edge to hide the seam somewhat better than a regular laminated edge as we have a plywood base. What I found out was that some granites chipped more than others, especially when they become paper thin at the 45 (??) angle necessary to fit the two pieces together. JP was one of those granites, so there were more epoxy areas than I had envisioned. It also bothered my elbows when sitting at the island. We also had them match the rounded aspect at the sink edge and the backsplash edge, which IMO, makes it a bit different than the 'norm.' As far as the island, for as many con's were against it, we had just as many pro's for it. I always said I wanted an island in my next house. Well, we've been here 15 years and it doesn't appear that we are moving anytime soon so we made it work. I am so glad we did, it really gets used a lot. We had to forgo the kitchen table, however we still have the dining room table if we need more or formal seating. Resale may be affected down the road, however as there isn't any sink or cook top on it, it could be very easily removed and put back to being able to fit a table. Another issue was with the existing bench seat (non removable as the wall behind the bench does not go all the way down to the slab...association rules against changing any exterior) but it's fine. I am still toying with painting the dark trim piece that is there so it fades a bit more into the background. I got a pretty basket that I set on the bench in the center to hold the daily mail and newspaper....so it doesn't function as a bench but more of an overflow space. Thanks again for your reply! I am happy to say I have not shed a single tear over this kitchen since!!