Knitting

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Attention All Sockknitters….

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OK. I need some encouragement here. Sock knitting is all the rage, has been for quite awhile. Not one to be left behind, I went to the LYS and found some really cool sock yarn ( I won’t divulge the brand name – it’s a pretty sure bet that this failure didn’t have anything to do with them). I already am in possession of at least 17 of each size needle in any length and configuration available so I didn’t need those, and I signed up (or verbally agreed to) the Knit A Pair Of Socks A Month program that a friend and I thought up. How hard could it be?
You know the routine, went home, hunted up the needles, and cast on.
Aprox 6 years later I had a pair of socks. They did not fit but I wore them anyway, after all they were handmade and all, not to mention the most expensive pair of socks I’ve ever owned.
And then I washed them.
And then I wore them (repeat no more than 6 times). And then the holes appeared. They were wearing thin in the heels. After 6 wearings. What did I do wrong?. Anyone? Why did they wear thin? I used sizes 1 and 0, why was the fabric all stretched out and not tight? (I do actually get the concept of “gauge”).
So, I’d like to try again. I’m nothing if not persistent and banging my head against the wall is one my favoite things to do.
And also because I found Flat Feet Yarn that looks good enough to eat! Seriously, have you seen it? Its by Conjoined Creations although You can also get it at Knittingzone.com and Paradise Fibers.net too. Bet it would even make an awesome bag! Have you seen this stuff? Go to Ravelry to see some of the outrageous designs!

 

So, your turn. Steer me toward the perfect pattern, perfect technique and perfect yarn. Give me hints, tips, techniques.. Anything. Talk me into trying again because I don’t have enough projects going yet.

I’m waitin…..

Terrye
Knitting Editor
http://knitting.craftgossip.com/

Comments

  2. After 40 years since I last knitted a pair of socks, I have just finished a pair for my hubby. This time I made them without a heel, I guess you would call them tubesocks. But these are with a twist literally, they are spiral socks as the pattern spirals around the sock and so makes the sock fit perfectly. With the leftover from the ball I made a pair of baby spiral socks for my future grandchild. I will post that pattern tomorrow, but for now you can find the picture and pattern at my blog: http://dappledair.blogspot.com/2008/08/spiral-socks.html
    It is fun knitting socks, especially when watching TV.

  3. Thanks for letting people know about Flat Feet! We just got in the new Flat Feet Sock of the Month. We aren’t allowed to post pictures of it on our website. You can see pictures of it on Ravelry though. If you’re interested in the sock of the month give us a call 888-320-7746.

    Sara

    PS love your website 🙂

  4. Could be the yarn. I’ve had two pairs of socks that wore out within a few months and one pair that’s lasted for years. I also think some of us are harder on socks than others. Mine wore out while the ones I made my husband and son are still going strong.

    You can try reinforcing the heel with sewing thread while you knit it. I’ve heard it helps. You can also buy reinforcing thread.

  5. I absolutely love the Monkey Socks designed by Cookie A. from Winter 2006 Knitty, you can find the pattern here: http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter06/PATTmonkey.html
    It’s knit on 5 needles which I don’t normally like but this pattern is so well designed and written that even with what appears to be an intricate pattern they are a very easy sock. I am enjoying them very much. And I will make the pattern again.
    If you consider yourself an beginner/intermediate knitter then you can most definitely make these socks and love them all the way!
    Also I hear the “RPM Sock” from Knitty is also a very good pattern, but I have not yet tried it – it’s on the list!
    PS – flat feet are AWESOME too, great for knitting on the go because you don’t have to wrestle with a ball that can get all tangled in your bag.

  6. I will definitely try the monkey socks, they look like it would be an easy pattern to master, yet not boring.

    Thanks for sending the link!

    Terrye
    knitting.craftgossip.com

  7. I knit at bulletproof gauge (9st/in on US1 needles) and haven’t had any wear through problems, could be your yarn. MimKnits Boudica socks are a great pattern, so are Hedgerow socks

Have you read?

Knit a Classic Aran Cardigan with this Free Knitting Pattern

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time. 

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring. 

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn. 

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row. 

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves. 

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body. 

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy. 

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn. 

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]