K3tog: ILx Knitting 3

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Ok, ladies, I've probably asked this a million times, but are knitting socks difficult? I need some encouragement. I don't know why I am afraid of trying more ambitious projects, and stick in my safety zone. However, knitting the baby kimono made me realize, "Hey! I actually *do* know how to do this!" Also, I mastered the buttonhole. So, with this boost in confidence, I shall try some socks.

What's your favorite yarn to use for socks? Preferred needle size? I have a great book at home, which I've never even used, and it's high time I learn, and force more handknit goods on my loved ones.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 15:52 (nineteen years ago)

I've never gotten socks. :( I just need to try some that aren't on tiny dpns.

― Ms Misery, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 15:58 (nineteen years ago)

Molly, I took a socks class a few years ago and it was really cool; socks are fun to do because they are so small that you can finish them quickly. Of course, I've only made extremely basic socks. The one thing I would say is that it took me a while to really understand what I was doing wrt short-rowing while turning the heel. Apparently I need to really let simple stuff percolate into my brain.

I love the socks I made - much warmer than cotton socks from the store - and perfect for winter when my toes are cold.

― Sara R-C, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 16:04 (nineteen years ago)

Socks! You should definitely do socks! I was scared, and kept going "oooh should I should I", until I actually saw some my friend made, and it went home that - dude, this is TOTALLY possible! And then I just blazed ahead with the pattern.

I suggest find some awesome looking sock yarn first - there is SO much good sock yarn out there that you willbe utterly spoilt for choice. I also say go toe-up, this might be personal preference but gosh, I wish I'd STARTED toe-up, the principal angsts just WENT AWAY. You can't really knit socks on anything much bigger than 2 or 2.5mm needles I think - for everyday sort of use. If you want to make ooh, like spa socks, or snuggly at home socks, something a bit more EARTHY (even hiking socks) you could go up safely to DK weight I 'spect. I'm going to make some spa socks soon! They are well cute.

If you already have a smallish long circular needle you could try that magic loop method I spose. Me never tried it, but I don't have a long circ needle, and I DO have dpns so...

OH also, I would recommend getting something that is SUPERWASH! Socks will clearly have to be washed a lot, and you're a better person than me if you can bear to handwash each time!

You could always start with BOOTEES :)

― Sarah, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 16:10 (nineteen years ago)

Oh! Excellent suggestions all around! And thank you for the encouragement!

I wouldn't have even thought about SUPERWASH! I'm excited! I'm going to go to a new yarn shop this weekend and poke around.

The sock pattern book I have gives you the pattern for whatever type of needles you want to use (be it dpns or circs). The problem is, I'm not sure what to use!

There is a patter for baby bootie socks that they recommend doing first. My friend's child will be SHOWERED (ugh, pun) with knit gifts.

Also, I HATE saggy socks. Is this a common problem with handknit socks, or is there a yarn I should gravitate to, to avoid the SAG?

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 25 April 2007 16:15 (nineteen years ago)

Awesomest thing EVAH! A knitted umbrella!

I started seaming the Lana Grossa cardigan last night. I casually mentioned to my mom that I had told the teacher it was for her. It was said half-jokingly. My mom laughed and then asked if the cardigan is meant to curl up at the bottom. Hah! Family being critical? Oh yes! They don't shy away from letting you/me know if they think it's wrong. I said I still needed to make a collar and *stuff* and that the bottom would, as a result, not curl up anymore. She said she'd LOVE to have it. I told her that if she didn't like the finished *product*, I wouldn't be offended if she didn't want it or wouldn't wear it. She said again she'd LOVE it. See, I don't like giving presents as it puts pressure on the recipient: they gotta wear it even if they don't like it. So I always make sure I tell'em that if they don't like it, I won't be offended. It reminded her of autumn in Japan (with all the different coloured leaves). So now I need to make sure it's done well. :-) I am a bit hesitant: The pattern said I had to crochet the edge but the teacher said that picking up the sts and knitting the edge would be better as it would avoid tiny holes. I'll probably need to get some more yarn or rip the bag I started making with the second ball of yarn. heh. My mom said: "You seem this with the right side facing up??????" Uh yes, mom. :-) I think I'll also measure her so if I want to knit some more for her, I can do this whenever I want without having to ask for her measurements.

― nathalie, Sunday, 29 April 2007 08:14 (nineteen years ago)

How can I not knit teddy bears for this?

― molly mummenschanz, Monday, 30 April 2007 19:23 (nineteen years ago)

Re THE SAG: I quite like them being a bit loose but if you want them tighter then I'd just suggest knitting some elastic in (just weave it in as you go along like you would in intarsia I guess) - or you could sew it in after the fact but I think that would be mroe faffy.

I've undone my 1st sock's too tight cast off and I'll be trying a stretchier one soon - there's a good link but I don't have it immediately to hand. Sewn cast off looks good too, but more complex and I don't want to ruin the socks. I might try it on the second sock after putting in the all important lifeline first (although this is SO much harder on small dpns than it is on 5mm straights).

― Sarah, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 08:19 (nineteen years ago)

There's a great bear knitting pattern in one of the Noro books that is made with Kureyon and looks SO FAB! I nearly spent the wedge on the book just for that pattern; then I thought, tbh it will probably look as good with any generic teddy pattern and saved myself the cash phew. Tho it was close.

I crocheted an elephant and finished him yesterday! However I mistakenly used a 4mm hook and DK weight so now you can totally see the stuffing inside, despite me running a length of thread round his insides a few times. It has helped a bit but not much. The plan is to now crochet him a jumper.

― Sarah, Tuesday, 1 May 2007 08:21 (nineteen years ago)

So, I'm taking a break from my spiral rag rug, as it's quite the workout for the arm, and giving the socks a go. OH ME. I must just sit and practice on the beginner's sock, as holding the needles IS A BITCH.

Please tell me it gets easier.

― molly mummenschanz, Sunday, 6 May 2007 15:24 (nineteen years ago)

I love you, Kaffe Fasset.

I think I need to get the Rowan catalog.

― molly mummenschanz, Monday, 7 May 2007 19:50 (nineteen years ago)

Urgh, I'm in a dilemma: I can't knit something on my own (well, most of the time anyway) and I can't show it to the teacher because she fuxors up the dimensions. I did a Debbie Bliss sleeveless sweater for Ophelia but it's *just* right and I wanted one that's a bit larger. Grrr @ teacher. She's a GREBT teacher but doesn't know sh#t about child sizes. :-( I also managed to do the collar a bit wrong. I say a bit cause I need to pick up the sts and work out of it looks right or not.

As I couldn't attend the class on monday, I couldn't reseam the Lana Grossa cardigan (for my mum) and pick up the sts. I finished all I could and got so fed up, I started a pair of trousers (for Ophelia). I think I'll fuck up again: I still can't work out how to measure the gauge properly. Tell me it gets easier. PRETTY PLEASE.

Even though I have so much yarn,I still crave more. hah.

When I'll be in Japan in two weeks, I might check out more pattern books and maybe more material. Yarn? Meh, it's too expensive (for a beginner like me). :-)

― nathalie, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 11:52 (nineteen years ago)

Oh! And I started a thread on the knitlist and it got ALL OUT OF CONTROL: I asked people how/when they started to knit. It was a total blast reading all the post... well, most cause my inbox was FULL of replies. Still fun to read though. one lady is 85! Can you imagine! How totally COOLIO! 85, knitting and being on a mailing list!!!

― nathalie, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 11:53 (nineteen years ago)

Does the pattern not come in larger sizes?

Do you have it in an emailable form? Especially since it's sleeveless, I could probably work something out.

― tokyo rosemary, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 13:24 (nineteen years ago)

Buy some super cute amigurumi pattern books in Japan :)

I bought a Sugar and Cream dishcloth pattern book, and have finally figured out the single crochet stitch. Now I just have to figure out increases and decreases, and crocheting in the round.

― tokyo rosemary, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 13:26 (nineteen years ago)

After lots of angst, I have mastered (well, got the hang of, maybe) dbpns. Also, I have mastered the Continental stitch! The way my aunt taught me was not conducive to purling, so after watching a video on the internets, my knitting life was changed. Hurrah!

Also, my socks are coming along quite nicely. I think I should start the heel soon. What do you think? (My pattern is a bit vague).

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/500874267_5395435d14.jpg?v=0

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 14:26 (nineteen years ago)

Also, has anyone tried dyeing yarn before? What about spinning?

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:05 (nineteen years ago)

Socks = GRATE! My ball of wool got tangly and I have stalled on the nu-rave socks. Have had a general sense of despondency recently so quite a lot of crafting has stalled apart from making a few toys.

Not tried dying or spinning - will I be declared a creative zero if I say I don't really have any real interest? I like my wool already clean and spun! What's so bad about that! I like all the colours wool comes in already! Haha speaking of which, craft group are talking about having a nallbinding meetup - this is FAR TOO CLOSE to "medieval re-enactment" for my tastes. "Ooh I made a Roman sock"! "SHAME THE ROMAN EMPIRE COLLAPSED A GRILLION YEARS AGO THEN, PROBABLY BECAUSE THEIR SOCKS WERE RUBBISH".

― Sarah, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:11 (nineteen years ago)

Nice people I should add. But - yanno. No.

― Sarah, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:12 (nineteen years ago)

Hah! I was reading a book about Estonian sock knitting last night, and there was this freakish wedding sock with a BULGE that came out mid-calf. The caption said (and I'm paraphrasing): "The Estonians thought thick calves were a sign of a lovely bride."

I met another librarian who did her own spinning, and it sounded like so much FUN! However, it seems like it would take forever. We have a cable program over here called "Knitty Gritty" (which I made Tim watch an episode of). It's kind of okay, but yesterday's episode (recorded by the new DVR) was about DYEING. It looked like so much fun! But, knowing me, I'd make a mess and stain everything within a 50 ft. radius.

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:18 (nineteen years ago)

It's all about sticking things in JARS as I have gathered from dye guides in Simply Knitting.

OH whilst you're here! Have you seen the new Knit.1? None of the shops I usually get it from have it in and I am starting to become concerned, where is knit mag, I wants one. (Not so new anymore I guess!! Argh, hope I haven't missed the entire thing).

― Sarah, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:49 (nineteen years ago)

This lady on Knitty Gritty had pots, a heat source, dyes and vinegar. One lady dyed her stuff by using Kool-Aid, and claimed it smelled delicious!

No! I haven't seen the new Knit 1 magazine, but in all honesty, I haven't been looking, as I've been raiding the stacks at my public library. If I happen upon one, I shall let you know!

― molly mummenschanz, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 16:03 (nineteen years ago)

If you can dye yarn with Kool Aid, imagine what that stuff does to your guts!

― Madchen, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 16:10 (nineteen years ago)

It's all about sticking things in JARS as I have gathered from dye guides in Simply Knitting.

I read the same article! It also mentioned the Kool-Aid. :-) I won't be doing it any day soon as I'm PREGGERS and therefore am not allowed to do this. :-)

Do you have it in an emailable form? Especially since it's sleeveless, I could probably work something out.

No, not really. But I'm done. I mean, done everything except the collar, sleeves (the bands) and some seaming. I figure that if O can't wear it, then the next kid will. ;-)

I can't wait to go to some knit/book stores in Japan and buy a gazillion pattern books (inc amigurumi). :-) I'm also tempted to buy loads of candy coloured plastic needles (which we do not have here). YUM YUM. :-) I also want a knitting bag (those BIG ASS ones). Want want want. :-)

― stevienixed, Wednesday, 16 May 2007 18:02 (nineteen years ago)

The new Knit.1 only came out this week! I am hoping to buy it tomorrow.

I am so jealous of your upcoming Japanese craft shopping trip, nathalie!

― tokyo rosemary, Thursday, 17 May 2007 01:49 (nineteen years ago)

Making this sock heel is the bane of my existence.

― molly mummenschanz, Thursday, 17 May 2007 02:22 (nineteen years ago)

What method does your pattern want you to use! ITEM: there are many different sock heel methods and you can pretty much use whichever one you want in a pattern! Unfortunately your first one will ALWAYS be fairly hellish no matter which method :) Sorry dude - but do keep plugging on! It's amazing when you've done it and WOAH! you have a heel!!

― Sarah, Thursday, 17 May 2007 11:29 (nineteen years ago)

I ripped the heel out once, and now, I'm at the part where it's starting to shape and look like something, even though I have a giant hole which I need to remedy.

Even though they have caused me much angst, YAY SOCkS!

― molly mummenschanz, Thursday, 17 May 2007 12:36 (nineteen years ago)

Tell me what type of heel!

― Sarah, Thursday, 17 May 2007 12:56 (nineteen years ago)

I'm not sure, actually, as it's an "Easy Sock". (it's a PDF)

― molly mummenschanz, Thursday, 17 May 2007 13:08 (nineteen years ago)

I am still amazed at how easy these socks were. OK, they're small socks, but still. It really helps that there's video of how to work the heel.

― Madchen, Thursday, 17 May 2007 15:34 (nineteen years ago)

Those socks are heartbreakingly cute.

― molly mummenschanz, Thursday, 17 May 2007 15:41 (nineteen years ago)

WOE IS ME.

I finished my first sock and it's a bit of a disaster. Dropped stitches, I didn't check my gauge (bad Molly!), but whatevs, as the kiddies say. I totally knit a sock.

I've just started the Class Sock from Sensational Socks, so I can properly learn what I'm doing. The "easy socks" instructions weren't too informative.

No functional sock, but a sock nonetheless!

― molly mummenschanz, Monday, 21 May 2007 03:42 (nineteen years ago)

Congratulations, Molly. The first one is the hardest...

― Sara R-C, Monday, 21 May 2007 04:14 (nineteen years ago)

I am halfway through my kimono trousers. Started last week (monday, I think). As always there are already a mistake or two but none that you can notice (unless you're an expert, I guess). I think it looks alright. Now I'm doing the front (or back, same thing). I am only VERY MUCH afraid of doing the seaming and *assembling* as I'll need to put an ELASTIC in the band. I'll ask one of the employees, she's a wiz with that shit. :-)

Tonight I'll be going to class but not doing any exercises, instead ask help with seaming and picking up sts. HURRAH. I need to seam THREE PIECES. SHEEIT. I'll also start a new project.

― nathalie, Monday, 21 May 2007 07:51 (nineteen years ago)

I picked up the socks again yesterday during the repeat of Whoctor Doo - only have a couple more plain rows left and then a couple of inches of ribbing. Then I *really* have to research a decent stretchy bind off for the top of the cuffs. Fingers crossed this isn't where it all goes wrong.

― Sarah, Monday, 21 May 2007 11:26 (nineteen years ago)

You could do an elastic bind off. VERY HARD but very nice!

― nathalie, Monday, 21 May 2007 11:36 (nineteen years ago)

(It's with a sewing needle which you sort of use as a knitting needle.)

― nathalie, Monday, 21 May 2007 11:36 (nineteen years ago)

Anything like this?
http://www.socknitters.com/toe-up/lessonsix.htm

― Sarah, Monday, 21 May 2007 12:41 (nineteen years ago)

As confusing as our explanation. So definitely same one. :-) Actually I looked at finished piece (last pic) and it looks exactly the same. It's a bit hard, well for me anyway, but the finished result (IF done right) is fantastic.

― nathalie, Monday, 21 May 2007 12:47 (nineteen years ago)

I might practice on a test bit first if it's that bad!

― Sarah, Monday, 21 May 2007 12:55 (nineteen years ago)

Sarah, I am a buffoon when it comes to these things. So you might be luckier in doing it. I strongly recommend it tho!

― nathalie, Monday, 21 May 2007 12:57 (nineteen years ago)

I've printed that page off but I think I'll have to read through it a couple of times!!

― Sarah, Monday, 21 May 2007 13:12 (nineteen years ago)

Do y'all prefer toe-up or toe-down socks?

My kitchener stitch grafting yesterday started off fine, and then OH NOES, dropped stitches, which resulted in my toe poking through.

― molly mummenschanz, Monday, 21 May 2007 14:20 (nineteen years ago)

The new Interweave Knit has an article and pattern (for any size foot and weight of yarn!) on toe-up socks.

I am mainly used to toe-down, but I think toe-up is good for when you only have a certain amount of yarn.

― tokyo rosemary, Monday, 21 May 2007 15:45 (nineteen years ago)

Also, I love Kitchener stitch. Am I insane?

― tokyo rosemary, Monday, 21 May 2007 15:46 (nineteen years ago)

also not knitting related: Molly, are you going to the library conference in DC that's coming up? (I don't read librarian threads)

― tokyo rosemary, Monday, 21 May 2007 15:48 (nineteen years ago)

The Kitchener stitch seemed awesome and beautiful until I dropped a bunch of my stitches, turning it into a disaster.

Unfortunately, I had to cancel this year's ALA in DC, as B-diddy and I are moving to a new place July 1st. Are you going? I'll be going to both of next year's, however!

― molly mummenschanz, Monday, 21 May 2007 15:50 (nineteen years ago)

I have documented my love for toe-up socks here plenty of times! The ones I'm about to finish have been a revelation - I've actually enjoyed every single bit of the process doing them - the only parts where you really need to concentrate at the start (and then it's only increasing, I find decreasing to knit v small tubes INCREDIBLY annoying), and make sure you're wrapping your heel properly and so on...

Kitchener stitch IS quite satisfying!! My problem is I generally do it when exhausted and you really need to be alert :)

I hear Knit 1 is now out!!!

― Sarah, Monday, 21 May 2007 15:53 (nineteen years ago)

molly, no, but my knitting, library school-attending best friend is going.

I went to get the new Knit1, and found the new IK, too!!! I had to get them at Michael's though, and not the yarn store, though.

― tokyo rosemary, Monday, 21 May 2007 16:06 (nineteen years ago)

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