As I sit at my desk this morning, half asleep (or is it half awake?), I had this strange recollection of being up too late knitting. And wondering what possessed me to do that since I have a 3 hour GIS lab, a 1 hour population ecology lecture, and a 2 hour linear modeling lab today...all of which require me to be alert and focused. Then I looked down and saw this.
Color coming from an area that lately has only been white (fashionable I'm not).Hmmm. First off, let us ignore the dirt on my pants which I just saw. I'm a wildlife biologist...I don't really feel normal if I'm completely clean (poor mom, hanging her head in shame. or is it horror?). Instead, focus on the colorful, hand-knit socks. Can't really see them?
How about now? May I present, in all their glory, my first pair of completed socks.
Yarn: Fortissima Socka mit Bambou in colorway laub. Fingering weight merino/bamboo mix.
Needles: Size 2 dpns (not sure of brand at this moment)
Mods: None
Time to knit: The first sock was knit over about 3 weeks last September. Then I didn't pick it up again for months...second sock was knit over about 2 weeks. (an inch here and there)
Verdict: I'm very happy to have completed my first pair of socks and will probably cast on for another pair this weekend. These are by no means perfect...as you can see, I didn't quite make the second sock as long as the first one (no red stripe on the toe yet stripes match pretty much perfectly everywhere else), but it's okay with me since one foot is actually smaller than the other (accident involving heels, bike spokes...younger me...don't ask).
But I do have some questions for those expert sock knitters out there.
I did have a bit of a ladder problem but it was just when I had to K1, SSK at the start of a needle. I pulled as tight as I could but still seemed to have this problem. Suggestions anyone of anything I can do except just pull even tighter??
Finally, I got 'the hole'. The dreaded hole. Only on one side of the heel but there is a hole and I wanted to know if anyone had suggestions for that. It's a slip-knit heel flap which I think is pretty standard. It seems I heard from somewhere that maybe if you slip that first stitch knitwise instead of purlwise...or you twist it some way...or you knit that first stitch of the first row of the heel instead of slipping it...I'll stop but I'd welcome suggestions.
Okay--gotta get to lab. Oh yeah, next post will be food post.
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Now playing: 'The Littlest Birds' by The Be Good Tanyas
13 comments:
Your socks look great! Congratulations on finishing. I'm no sock expert, but I have tried picking up extra stitches to try to avoid the hole, and it kind of works...I know there are some other methods out there that claim to solve this problem, but that's the only one I've tried so far.
I am very impressed you did the second one in two weeks! I've knit three pairs of socks, but none for me. Good for you for making some for yourself!
Fabulous looking socks! Love the colorway. Congratulations!
Congratulations on finishing the first of no doubt many pairs - they are addictive. I find if I pick up an extra stitch in the corner between the flap and the top of the sock and then knit it with one of the side stitches it closes up the gap quite nicely. Even if you do get a little hole it tends to be less noticeable after a couple of washes. Enjoy your cosy toes
Love your socks. Great job for your 1st pair. I never did socks with dp's went right into two circulars. My last pair were two at a time with one 40" magic loop method. I agree about picking up extra stitches to avoid the hole.
Great job on your first pair of socks!
On the hole: What carie said. Except I'd like to add that when I knit the two stitches together, I do it through the back loops, which tightens things up even a bit more.
On the ladder problem: Pull the second stitch tight too. However, be advised, after a couple wearings and washings the stitches all sort of even out.
Forgot to say Nice Socks! I love the colors.
Oh Congrats girl on your first pair of socks!!!! I'm crocheting mine and got one done but they are more like a footie type...lol Will post them when the other is done.
Yours look great and you did a fabulous job on them, even the color is really nice!!!Good for you!!!!
Have a great weekend!!
My friend is a biologist, and she always comes over with some kind of pond-scum or dirt on her. Doesn't bother me in the slightest - I love that I have her on my side for protecting our environment! I digress...
Your socks are awesome - and I like your shoes, too.
The socks look great! Don't hand knit socks feel the best on your feet? :-)
As for the hole problem, what Carie and Beadknitter said. That's what I do and it works great. The ladder problem, give that second stitch a good tug. That's the one that locks the first stitch in place. Other than that, most everthing else sorts itself out in the first wash. :-)
Yay, your first pair of socks!!! That's very exciting. I think they look great, but I am curious about what happened with the bicycle when you were younger...
What size are your feet, by the by? Just curious. Are you tall?
OK...I am so coveting your socks! I LOVE them! You did awesome! I want a pair lol! I have my gloves and scarf and now I want socks...I just want you to dress me! You make me want to try to knit...Love the color scheme! I am so proud of you...for all your acomplishments and hard work. Love ya! K
Cool socks! Great job! All the food on your next post looks pretty yummy!
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