These are the first socks that I have knit for someone other than me! I think my daughter was a good choice. She's as excited about these socks as I am.
I used the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns for these. My daughter's feet were in between the sizes offered, so I figured out how many stitches to cast on using the gauge that I was knitting at and the number of inches that I wanted. So, I needed the sock to be 6" in circumference and was knitting at 8sts/inch - that means I needed 48 stitches. I was still able to use the charts in the book since one of the size/gauge combinations was for a 48 st sock. I just followed those numbers, and used my own inch measurements when those were needed.
I like how the 2 x 2 rib continues down the foot of the sock, but I'm not happy with how it looks where the rib meets the smooth sole stitches. Before starting the heel flap, I divided the ribs on the edges so that the stitches for the top of the foot had one purl stitch at each end. This was just to make the pattern balanced. The instep decreases were done one stitch before the end of the needle. I should have done them on the last stitch. Now it looks like there is an unbalanced rib along the instep decrease line. Oh, well. I've never done ribbed socks before. Now I know...
Remember how I ran out of yarn for the sock I was knitting last? Well, I had quite the opposite problem with this pair. I bought two skeins and have one complete skein left and probably one-quarter of the other one. I should have known that socks for a five-year-old wouldn't take two skeins, but I was a little too cautious after running out during a project.
I'll be entering these in the fair in the "Child's socks" category. My kids are a little confused about this fair stuff, but they're getting pretty into it. Now they bring me random things from around the house and ask if we can put it in the fair.
I finished the doll clothes and won't be doing that again any time in the near future. Post coming soon.
Next up: pajamas for the little man.
I used the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns for these. My daughter's feet were in between the sizes offered, so I figured out how many stitches to cast on using the gauge that I was knitting at and the number of inches that I wanted. So, I needed the sock to be 6" in circumference and was knitting at 8sts/inch - that means I needed 48 stitches. I was still able to use the charts in the book since one of the size/gauge combinations was for a 48 st sock. I just followed those numbers, and used my own inch measurements when those were needed.
I like how the 2 x 2 rib continues down the foot of the sock, but I'm not happy with how it looks where the rib meets the smooth sole stitches. Before starting the heel flap, I divided the ribs on the edges so that the stitches for the top of the foot had one purl stitch at each end. This was just to make the pattern balanced. The instep decreases were done one stitch before the end of the needle. I should have done them on the last stitch. Now it looks like there is an unbalanced rib along the instep decrease line. Oh, well. I've never done ribbed socks before. Now I know...
Remember how I ran out of yarn for the sock I was knitting last? Well, I had quite the opposite problem with this pair. I bought two skeins and have one complete skein left and probably one-quarter of the other one. I should have known that socks for a five-year-old wouldn't take two skeins, but I was a little too cautious after running out during a project.
I'll be entering these in the fair in the "Child's socks" category. My kids are a little confused about this fair stuff, but they're getting pretty into it. Now they bring me random things from around the house and ask if we can put it in the fair.
I finished the doll clothes and won't be doing that again any time in the near future. Post coming soon.
Next up: pajamas for the little man.
What's up with knitters knitting socks? Seems like a lot of work for something worn on the foot. Do they last a lot longer that store bought? Don't get me wrong, they look great. I'm just trying to understand. Every knitter I run across loves to knit socks and I am wondering why. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI didn't understand the sock knitting thing until I tried it. Walk all over your knitting?!? Crazy! But, there are a lot of good things about handknit socks. They feel really nice on the feet, I do think they last longer, and the process of knitting them is enjoyable. I like that they are a small project - very portable, finish quickly - and I can afford to use high quality yarn since I don't need a lot of it. And I like to be able to wear some of my knitting regularly. I don't have the time or money to knit a wardrobe full of sweaters, but a drawer of socks - that I can manage.