I’m very excited about this post. January I told myself that I wanted to learn something new and socks has always been on my radar. The only thing that was raging through my mind was: how do you knit for that curve called a heel.
Well, I’ve dived in and purchased a sock book to teach me. Then I didn’t do anything—for a while lol. But with the encouragement of clearance wool sock yarn, I was convinced and dived into my first pair of socks!
I’ve been busy knitting for the kids since I’ve picked up my needles (almost 3 years ago), that I never knit anything for us (my husband and I) larger than a hat or a scarf. So this first sock was for him—after all, the colors screamed for him and he is supplying my habit.
Here is one thing I’ve learned about myself—never read how much work you have to do for a project! I just cannot read the instructions in whole-it scares me off the project. Instead, I have to take the project in bite sizes and it’s (mentally) manageable. Sometimes, that even means not reading the whole project through. With for kids around me (all the time), this is how I work.
This is also my first attempt to use double pointed pointed needles in the round. Truly something to get used to. I’ve learned that the American style is 3 needles and the English style is 4. I think I prefer the English style so much more. The handling of four needles is very comfortable. The other two needles can be tucked away in the palms of the hands.
The first sock took a while to get through because it was my learning sock, but I tried to take pictures of my progress along the way. The real challenge was trying to get used to the small needles. (2.75mm)
My daughter makes me laugh though. once, we were trying to knit a blanket together (this one) and I was using 3.75mm needles and a DK weight 3 yarn. I was nesting like crazy because my hormones was like you have to finish this before the baby was born.
My daughter was knitting a beautiful yellow blanket at the time too. I told her that a blanket was a big project and maybe she would like to start with something smaller. But determined-she presses on. That is until she saw my progress.
Her words, “you were knitting with tooth picks and floss and still got very far.” Oh my darling, you’ve now seen smaller. But I digress…
After a while the needles were very comfortable to hold and handle that I looked forward to more projects that has these smaller needles. What made me take deep breath in was the short rows.
I’ve always heard about them (and avoided them), but this time I have to try it to complete this project. Of course after doing them, it’s not that bad—common theme around here and I’m off to the gusset.
Then, a lot of knitting. The stitch pattern for the socks is a rib pattern. Honestly, I don’t know why I complicated my fist knit socks by throwing a stitch pattern into it, but that’s how I roll. Almost through the first sock and I started to dread the pattern but onward I went.
It wasn’t until I finished the first sock and cast on the second that I realize I didn’t mind the pattern. Almost looked forward to it. However, like all my projects, I’m glad that it was completed and my husband liked it.
There are a few changes I would make for this project when I make him another sock. The first change would be shortening the leg part. I make each sock 8” for the leg. I’ll talk to him to see if he likes it, but it just seems very long for me.
Then again, al of his socks have a long leg so, I don’t know. However, I do want to try a different heel. Not the way it is constructed, just a different pattern. Again, don’t know, but it would be something to try.
Oh! Almost forgot another first—Kitchener Stitch. I can honestly say I’ve done it one time in a previous project (black mittens), but since this was going on someone’s foot, I wanted to make it work.
I have yet to meet a person who likes that sewn line in commercial socks. They get so annoying and painful at times. So my first sock was because of this toe. My husband couldn’t stand commercial socks but loved these.
I do see more socks in my future, if I can around to them.
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