Thursday, November 10, 2005

My First Socks

Footies!

Pattern: Padded Footlets from IK Summer 2005
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock, Georgetown colorway
Needles: US size 1, circular
Modifications: shortened length (see below), omitted contrast stripes
Time to knit: 1 week
Comments:
1. I have never been that interested in knitting socks because I don’t wear socks that often. (Warm climate = sandals almost all year long) However, I do wear sock-like slippers at home constantly. So, I picked these socks because the padded soles made them seem like house socks to me.
2. The magic loop method wasn’t a good choice for these socks because of the way the padding on the soles was worked. However, I didn’t have DPN in the correct size, so I had to make the padding process even more fiddly than it already was.
3. Because these were my first pair of socks, I didn’t think to compare the finished length of the sock to the length of my foot. I just saw that the pattern said, “fits women’s shoe sizes 7-10,” and went on my merry way. When I finished the last lace repeat on the instep, I put the sock on and realized that the pattern called for two more inches of sock and I only had about an inch off foot left. So, I had to do some quick calculations and toe-decrease adjustments to make a reasonable-sized sock. However, the socks are still a little too big for me.
5. I’m pretty darn proud of my grafting on the toe. I’m very, very bad at grafting. But lookie! I did it on my first try!
4. While I think the socks are cute and are comfortable, I’m not so bowled over by them that I feel like I NEED to have more hand-knit socks. They certainly aren’t the most s’wonderful s’marvelous socks that I’ve ever worn. So, I still don’t see the allure of making my own socks. Maybe I’m not excited because the socks aren’t pink or red and they don’t have cables on them. However, I’m not inclined to test this theory. That would require knitting another pair of socks.

27 comments:

Trillian42 said...

So cute! I keep looking at that pattern for myself. You know, once I finish the million other things I need to do first. =)

They are quite lovely, and even if you never make socks again, you can officially claim a 100% success rate.

Anonymous said...

Those are gorgeous! Congratulations on this beautiful (and difficult!) FO!

Christina said...

Those footlets look mighty fine. The best part about handknit socks is when they hug your foot firmly. Mayhap you don't feel the "love" as it were because these footlets are too big. I always make my handknit socks 15% smaller than said foot. So, my foot is 10" long, so I usually start my toe decreases at about 7" and end up with a sock that is about 8.5-9" long.

The hardest part about socks is they seem small but there are so many stitches on a fine gauge like 1 or 0 (The yarn harlot claims about 17,000 stitches per sock!). Lately I've been knitting DK or light worsted weight yarn on size 4 or 5s because I have been so impatient for the damn sock!

After all that dribble, your socks look lovely, and I hope you'll try your hand at socks again.

Alison said...

They do look really nice!

amylovie said...

They turned out very well. I'm not super crazy about sock knitting, especiall after the never-ending hubby socks. They are fun to knit occasionally though.

Amy

Anonymous said...

They're so cute! And the grafting is superb.

Pumpkinmama said...

They look great. I wouldn't knit socks either if I had no use for them, but its nice that you did some just for the experience. I'd say you'd you a terrific job.

shetha said...

They're beeeeooooootiful!!! I'm sure they'll get a lot of use. I only have 2 or 3 pairs of handknit socks and I prefer them for wearing round the house to be sure. One day you'll decide to knit some again, and there won't be so much mystery there. But knowing Laura, there will be some challenge or she wouldn't knit them :D

Anonymous said...

Such lovely socks in this colourway! Hope you'll grow to like them.

Jennifer said...

I like them a lot! Very cute and the colorway is quite pretty.

Anonymous said...

The grafting looks great. I mean, the socks do overall, but that looks particularly nice. I love the magic of grafting.

I have never felt moved to make socks. I made one pair once and feel I'm pretty much done. You and I can occupy the Sock Indifference Territory together. (I get the sense we'd actually have plenty of company.)

Anonymous said...

Very cute!

me myself and i said...

very purtyful! I like handmade socks...but I think I like store socks more. They seem more comfy. Then again I too have only knit 1 pair of socks!

~drew emborsky~ said...

Amazing!! You rock!!

goodkarma said...

I think they're beautiful and they look v. cozy. Congrats on trying something new and doing such a great job on the grafting!

Jenny Raye said...

Great job! I had the same problem with my first pair of socks being a tad too big. Love the color and pattern! They are quite cool.

Agnes said...

I think they are very cute ... and I love the colourway! If you use them as house socks, it doesn't matter too much that they are a little big. And you're right, your grafting is darn good! ;)

jpknits said...

How nicely done!

Unknown said...

So beautiful! The colors are great!

Karen said...

They're wonderful! Great job on the grafting!

It looks like I'll have to dig up that issue to make these... :)

. said...

They are so cute! I love them! Great job!

Linz said...

Ooooh, they're gorgeous - and look at those toes!!
Congrats!

An said...

the socks came out great--I was planning to use that same pattern for my first sock attempt too(eventually, one day) Thanks for the heads up on the length and magic loop issues.

Anonymous said...

AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

JustApril said...

But they look good - esp since they are your 1st!

suzmcq said...

Those are pretty, pretty socks. As usual you did an awesome job.

Mitchypoo said...

They are beautiful and you did a great job!