It's a Start

Hi all--finally decided to get on the sock wave and figured this would be a fun KAL to join as I struggle through my first attempt and those thereafter (see-I'm optimistic from the start!).

I attended a sock class last night (I know, I feel like I'm cheating!) and I present you the start of my first sock. It's a simple ribbed cuff, stockinette sock...I turn the heel next Tuesday (if I can find the time to knit to that point before then!).
Thanks for letting me in on the fun...I've enjoyed seeing all your first attempts!

Monkey loves a car, er, truck ride!

I forgot how much knitting I can get done while traveling the highway.

Monkey made some progress on the way to the Tigers game in Detroit on Saturday and even grew a bit during the game. (much to The Saints dismay-"I can't believe you're gonna knit at the ball park!")

Ah, well, we had a good time, the Tigers lost but they played Friday's game until 3:30am Saturday...and made up for the loss when they mowed down the Yankees yesterday 16-0! Yay, Tigers!

Oh, um, anyway, on to the Monkey progress...here he is...ta da!



Just the toe to go, and another Monkey, but who's keepin track, huh?

Nice thing about this pattern is that there are so many holes in it a couple extra where they don't belong will never be noticed by a non-knitter. tee hee And I'm not walking around pointing them out to anyone either! lol

I really like the stitch pattern, what do you all think?

Isn't he pret-ty?

I made him with only 3 pattern repeats in the cuff so he would be shorter than the original. I like me some short socks!

Sock on everybody!

For Alana.....

I was going to leave this in comments but it started to get a little long. If you are that unhappy then you should rip the sock out. I don't think it is you, I think the yarn is too soft. Sock yarn should have some gumption to it. Even if it is sold as sock yarn it looks to soft. Save it for a baby project. Try the Lion Brand sock yarn or a washable wool. Sock yarn needs to have a solid hand or it won't knit up correctly. Now for the hole at the top of the gusset: It is always a problem for every sock knitter. I do this simple fix: Pick up two extra stitches at the top of the gusset. You look for the horizontal thread between the first instep stitch and the heel flap stitch. Insert needle into the left half of the heel flap stitch and pick up 1 stitch; then pick up the right half of the first instep stitch from the row below the stitch on the needle. Both of these stitches are on the gusset needle. Do the same on the other side of gusset. These two extra stitches are worked together on the first gusset round. This sounds complicated but it is not. Follow the directions along as you are doing it. Sock knitting is a crap shoot. You have to start slow and work your way up to success. You can do it! Don't be discouraged. And if you find you still have a little hole at the gusset, well, no one said you couldn't sew it closed with invisible thread.

An after thought: to reinforce areas of sock that wear out quickly there are several tricks:
1. Use a reinforcement thread sold at yarn stores along with the sock yarn in the pertinent areas.
2. Go down one size smaller needle for that area of the sock.
3. Work a 3-stitch garter border in heel flap.

I hope this will help you. Hang in, I think you sock looks good!

Ribbitt... Ribbitt... Ribbitt...

Oh, ya... I'm thinking of frogging everything I've done so far. Still seems loose and sloppy to me, and I'm not even sure what I could do to change that. I'm using size 1 needles, and my gauge is right where it's supposed to be. When I look at it, it reminds me of a teenage boy's sweat sock that he ran around in all day and left laying in a heap on the floor. Like it needs to be laundered and brought back into "shape". Can you tell it from the picture?


And, can you see how the ribbing of the cuff wants to slop down over the rest of the sock? Not to mention the generous hole where the gusset starts. And you thought you had hole issues, Cass!

Sorry this one's upside down. I tried rotating it twice, but it wouldn't "save".And look at that heel!! It doesn't stretch out over the foot at all. Just sorta hangs there.

What do you all think?? Don't hold back, I can handle the truth. I'm leaning toward frogging...

I AM GETTING SO DISCOURAGED.....

I have started my sock over 4 times now. I mess up everytime I try to start the heel. I am NOT GETTING IT!! I don't know why but I am just blanking on how to do the heel. Does anyone know of a web page that I might not have already tried, to follow the heel instructions. I am almost ready to give this little venture up.

The first couple of times I started with a rib border for about 2 inches then SS until I got to the flap. The last couple of times I did straight ribbing and now am getting close to the heel. My yarn cn't take too many more froggings, getting a little fuzzy. It is beautiful yarn. I bought it on EBAY quite a while ago, a Seacoast brand, varigated 100% wool. Beautiful colors I think. mizmikey

WooHoo!!!

I love sock knitting!!! happy happy happy. Can't wait to start another pair.
Those are my daughter's legs. :D

We have a heel flap!

The Monkey has finally grown...from this...

















to this...




Lunch today was productive time. As you can see, maybe, I decided to make the cuff of the sock short. Hope to get the heel turned and the foot started before bedtime tonight.

Everybody have a great evening!

Progress...

I am at the point of decreasing on each sock...I struggle as to knowing when I should stop...any good suggestions out there?

I should finish them today - if the Dishrag Box doesn't show up...

then...2 socks on 2 circs...

I finished a Sock!!!

I only wish my family could be as excited as I am! They think I'm nuts. Well, they know I'm nuts. They just don't understand my excitement. I'm turning the heel on #2 right now! YAY! WHY didn't I knit socks sooner?

Finally got to post!

I finally got a post together to show my progress on my one lone sock. I have started knitting the foot, these pictures were taken a few days ago. It takes forever to get my husband to load them for me. I am asking for a digital camera for Christmas...but def! I enjoyed this pattern which comprises eight rows but it is very simple. You can always tell were you stopped. The pattern is in Sensation Knitted Socks. The one problem I did have was picking up the correct amount of stitches. The gusset was either too big or my gauge was off. I worked it out but I ripped that sucker out about four times! Now the challenge is of course to get the next one going. I very much liked the suggestion of starting both socks at the same time on separate needles. I am also going to look at two socks on circular needles at the same time. The problem is just getting the time. We are in the process of getting two college students ready for back to school and this week and next are all about packing, moving, and then lugging boxes and such up five flights to a dorm room.! Ugh! But I will miss them both terribly. After that I will have plenty of time to knit socks. Everyone have a great weekend and keep knittin' kittens.

Kitchener Stitch, here I come!

I love knitting socks!!! seriously! :) This is going to be addictive.

Movin' Right Along Here.....

Last night I was determined to stay up until I'd turned the heel in my sock. Plus, once I got started it was fun, and I didn't want to stop. All I want to do today is sit down and work on the gussets, but I need to be disciplined and actually accomplish something around the house first. Sadly, cleaning and laundry don't do themselves!

It's hard not to notice that a sock really does take on some unfortunate silhouettes as it morphs it's way to completion. My son got home last night just as I finished my heel turn, and he gave me a rather strange look when he saw "what" I was making. Not to worry . . . I explained everything to him!!

Oooh, and I got a new sock knitting book yesterday. Since a couple of you had recommended it, I went ahead and ordered Sensational Socks. You were SO right, it is an excellent resource for sock knitting. I couldn't put it down. The way it's written and her attention to detail explanations answer so many questions I've been pondering. Now I'm thinking about my NEXT pair. . . . but I better do some gusseting first. . . .

Just a quick note...

Thank You all....the button finally works! you were all so great with your suggestions. Alana emailed me the link itself, I copied and pasted and Viola! Thanks so much to all.

check me out baybeeee!!!

Color me proud. I never thought I'd do it, but I DID!!!
(it doesn't take much to make me go on about myself, does it?)

Copy and Paste..

For some reason copy and paste dosen't seem to work. I get the picture but it doesn't go to the link. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks Allyb!

Thank You all..

Hey guys, Thanks for your help with my question about adding the button to my blog. First I have to open a flickr account as I don't have one. Then I can add info to my blog. Aren't knitters the best folks. We do Rock!

Just a quick question.

Can someone tell me how to grab one of the sock buttons post it on my blog and have it link to this page? I just can't figure it out. I have picked up stuff before by coping the html which includes the picture. Help! Thanks!

Progress- interupted

Well, I was all excited that I was at the heel flap (again)

but then I saw this:

No dropped stitches, no reason for that hole that I can find. :\ Waaaaaa!

I sincerely don't want to frog (again) so I'm going to consider it a design flaw element and carry on. :)

A Little Progress That Feels Like A Lot!

Well, here's what I've got so far -- hardly enough to write home about. I've done lots of knitting, but also my share of frogging, so it is what it is. Not the clearest pic in the world, either, but once again hubby borrowed my camera, so I can't try again right now.


One thing I'm wondering about is the stitch definition. They seem so indistinct (I hesitate to say "sloppy" cause then I'll make me feel bad!!) Is it the yarn/needle size? Or could it be because I'm doing a 1x1 ribbing pattern? I'm not a tight knitter, but not floppy-loose either. The needles are size 1, and the yarn is Regia Bamboo. Any comments or suggestions??

Later....... I'm off to JoAnn's to buy another set of dpn's. I think I might try Alaina's suggestion of making both socks at the same time!

Progress...

On our weekend adventure, We stopped at Tall Tale Yarn Shop in Tofte, Minnesota. The owner recommended this sock yarn. It is called Panda Cotton and made by Crystal Palace yarns. It is 55% bamboo, 24% cotton and 21% elastic nylon. It is so soft feeling. I explained to her that I was a new sock knitter - she highly recommended buying a second pair of needles and casting on a second pair and knitting both socks alternately. I took her up on her suggestion and I would pass it on as a good suggestion. I like doing the second sock while the steps are fresh in my mind.

I am beginning to "turn" the heel and then on to the gusset....

GAHHHH!!!

I don't think this is right. I'm going to frog these and start over. The heel flap doesn't seem right.

Yes, that's my hair coming down from the top of the frame, I was a contortionist photographer.


It looks wrong, doesn't it? The sock, not me.

if at first you don't succeed.......

I cast on for my sock and knitted the whole cuff on size three needles, knit one, purl one, with 7 stitches to the inch as pattern indicated. This sock would never stay up on anyone's leg it was so floppy! So off it came and I didn't get back to it until last night around 8:30. So, I cast the cuff on with size two needles and went down one size for the cast on stitches. Much better! Yeah! I have the cuff done. Can't wait to get home from work and do some more. I always tinker with patterns as I find that they don't always match up with what I need. I saw this argyle sock pattern chart and thought wow, someday I will knit a pair! Some hope huh! I can just about keep myself from using the tail to knit with. I'll keep on trying though!

Go go go!

It's great to see we're all getting started! (some of us more quickly than others. LOL ;))

Here's what I have so far


I agree that 5 DPNs is easier than 4... I'm only using 4 because my little brat of a bird chewed the 5th.

I'm hoping to get to the heel today! (YIKES!)

All Righty Then--Let's Try Yet ANOTHER Pattern!

I've cast on five, maybe six times now, so let me tell you-- I've become quite proficient at the new method I had to learn. In fact, I rather like it!! I saw your comment, Donna, about using the long-tail CO, and that's what I'm doing. My book calls it Continental Long-tail, but I'm hoping that's the same thing. After starting over a few times (and doing several rows each time), I finally had 4 nice rows that I was satisfied with. However, my combination of pattern, yarn gauge, and needle size still didn't gel for me. So, now that I have those "top-of-the-line" size 1 needles, I went back to the pattern I was leaning toward in the beginning.

I'm doing the Hiiuma Mismatched Mates socks from the Knitting on the Road book. However, I might make them some shorter, and I'm using a mulit-colored yarn and not doing the stripes.

My son started working at Starbuck's two weeks ago and wanted me to stop by, so knowing it was my motherly duty to do so, I put all my sock-knitting necessities into my new "pouch" and went, determined not to not return until I had several rows of sock to show for myself!

Needless to say, I was there a while, but once again I'm on my way, with three rows done to my satisfaction. This pattern uses five needles, and the one I tried previously used four. Is it my imagination, or is it easier to maneuver around a sock with five than it is with four? It sure seems that way to me, but you would think that it would be just the opposite. Maybe it's the "angles" of the needles.

Monkey on a slow crawl...

Here we have the first few rows of the Monkey sock (if you click on the picture it should get bigger, if you want to see a bigger Monkey) not very impressive yet is it?

Now that I've spent the first two days of my husband's Canada fishing vacation reorganizing the office/sewing room maybe I can get some knitting done.

Hey, everybody! Have a great week. Here's hoping it rains for several days and doesn't get above 78 degrees...ha, ha, ha.

IS IT CHEATING TO BE USING A REAL EASY PATTERN?

I am going to try to learn to knit socks using a pattern that is called EASY BEGINNER SOCK PATTERN, http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/sockslopi.htm . I have about 3 inches done. I feel like I am all thumbs and I am sure that I look like the most graceful knitter if anyone was watching me. It looks good now but when I have practiced before I always did okay until it came to doing the heel. I swear the pattern turns into a foreign language at that time. I have a kind of dyslexia when it comes to doing what I am reading. If someone shows me then I can usually get it but reading and getting that to stick into my brain is another story. But I am going to try and try until I get it. If I can master the ENTRELAC STITCH then I can master this. Entrelac only took me about 3 months on and off......how long is this KAL going to go?? Hopefully I have time. :~D mizmikey

I started...

I found some awesome bamboo - so I cast on...pics to come - I also picked up some worsted weight and really want to try the two circs method of knitting two socks at once...so am going to be checking that out also....

The Devil is in the Details!

I tried, I really did. I said I'd cast on yesterday and I had the best of intentions. (Ya--the road to WHERE?? is paved with good intentions?!?) Maybe I'm fussing too much about matching up yarn "size", to the patterns I look at. I've gotten all the right sizes of dpn's for socks except size 1, which my LYS was out of, and I don't have many options around here, so that means ordering, which means waiting, and there will be no more of THAT! Every pattern that seemed a possibility for me called for size 1. (Of course)

So, I called around (meaning 2 places)! And BINGO! JoAnn Fabrics had them in a pack of four sets of dpn's. When I heard that I was thinking, "big bucks". Wrong-o! How about sizes 000, 00, 0, and 1--five of each for a mere $9.99. ($5.99 with my coupon!!) Now I don't want them because they're TOO cheap, and it has often come to my attention that you do get what you pay for.

Nevertheless, I loaded up my dogs and we went for a "car ride" -- two words you NEVER say at my house unless you plan on following through! Got me the needles, and now I'm feeling quite plucky, though still having doubts about what kind of needles you get for that price.

Now I'm ready to study my (finally) chosen pattern. I notice that it tells you to cast on 44 stitches, (with fingering weight) which seems off to me, since my recent and in depth study of socks tells me that's more for worsted weight, and fingering yarn calls for something more in the area of 60 to 70 stitches. OH SHOOT! Doubt has set in.

Back to pattern selection! I remember one that Alaina posted about early in the KAL, so I go back and look at it again. That's it!! That.Is.It!!! And guess what? It calls for size 2 needles. Whoduh thunk!

Now I'm ready! But wait---I need to learn a new way to cast on. The way I usually do it isn't recommended for socks. Not stretchy enough. I'm looking at all those yarny "how to" illustrations at about midnight with dry, burny eyes and decided: "No Way, Uh Uh, No Can Do. This will have to wait until tomorrow." Go ahead--here you can picture me sitting alone, under a bright light, surrounded by numerous books, patterns, skeins of yarn and knitting needles---looking defeated!

Well, tomorrow is now today, and once again I am filled with determination and optimism! Today I will learn a new way to cast on. Really, I will. The only fly in the ointment is that I do have one other committment: I must not only attend, but play the piano for a wedding. Not to mention some more practicing with unsure musicians before the actual event. That would be the same wedding that took up almost my entire day yesterday. I don't play for weddings (I prefer funerals; and no, I'm not joking), which means I've had to practice. And practice. And practice. Speaking of, I need to shut down, go inside, and practice some more. Later---SOCKS!!!

YAY!

Welcome Donna! :)

I cast on yesterday, using this pattern and Wick sock yarn. I've got about 3 inches knit! WOOT! But no camera this weekend. Waa!!!

But I'm DOING IT! I'm so excited!
Can't wait to get the camera back to share pics.

Hope you're all well!

I'm Excited...

Hi everyone! I am so looking forward to knitting socks together. I have done them on double needles and circulars. I like double the best but circular does zip along. I have some solid green sock yarn and will start them this Saturday evening. I want to do a pattern on the leg portion. I will take some pics when they have some substance to them. If someone needs help I will be happy to do so if I can. I have learned some good sock tricks from the book "Sensational knitted socks" a very good book for sock knitters to have as a reference. Have a great weekend and I will check back soon.....keep knittin those socks kittens!

Casting On!

Lord help me. :) I've got a bag packed with my Sock Knitting Book, needles in 3 sizes, & 3 types of sock yarn and a small bottle of liquor. I'm going to a friend's house to babysit, so I'll tackle my first pair of socks while chasing 7 kids around- perfect! :) Wish me luck!