Wednesday, October 15, 2008

I Wasn't Sure This Day Would Come

green smooshy sock done
My second pair of socks. I'm wearing them right now! Weird thing about wool socks? If the yarn is nice (like this is, and like the yarn for the pair before it was), they aren't even a little itchy. They can also be worn on very hot days with comfortable shoes and my feet will be cooler and more comfortable than the rest of me.

This pair of socks and I... we had issues. I dropped a stitch while decreasing for the toe of sock #1, and couldn't face tinking (unknitting) several rows, so I shelved it. Then all these women started showing up pregnant, and I focused on baby knitting. But I really wanted to finish, so I finally pulled out the disgraced sock, tinked a few rows, finished the toe and cast on for the second sock. Still knitting on other things, especially in the car (as a passenger), I finally finished the second sock on Sunday. I haven't mastered the Kitchner bind-off yet, so I tried a gathered toe this time (last pair was a 3-needle bind-off). I like the look of it very much -- don't know how it will wear, though.

Specs
Pattern: 7-stitches-per-inch sock from "Getting Started Knitting Socks" by Ann Budd. (You should be able to click on the image to go to the Amazon page.) I can't recommend this book highly enough for someone who wants to learn how to knit socks! If you use the Magic Loop method like I do, use stitch markers to indicate which "needle" you're on (patterns are written for 4 DPNs (3 live, 1 working)), and you're all set.

I did a short cuff, which works well for me, but I need to go down a size, since both pair are just a little too big.


Needles: 1 pair size US2 circs (32" length) for Magic Loop.

Yarn:Dream in Color Smooshy, in the Happy Forest colorway. I have approximately half a skein left!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yay, socks! I really like the yarn color, it's beautiful! I hope the toe holds up well! You'll have to report back!

Sarah said...

Very pretty socks! The color even matches your blog color! I have that book just sitting and waiting for me to get up the nerve to try socks. But you did so maybe I can too.

Mel said...

naiad-kitty: Thanks! I promise I will report back.

gwensmom: If I can do it, anyone can! The hardest part for me was picking up the stitches after the heel was done.

lilfish said...

Nice socks! As for kitchener stitching the toes? Here's what I do. I print out the directions for the stitch. Hand it over to someone and have them read it to me while I do it. This works like a charm for me.

I hate doing that stitch, but it's usually for only 16 stitches and over soon. :)

Love that Anne Budd book! That's where my (yet unphotographed) magic loop stripey socks are from :)