Frogs Legs & Other Delicacies

Well - I had to take a trip to the frog pond with my Inside Out Socks. The cable pattern on the leg is just too tight of a pattern. I initially used size 0 (2.0mm) CN's, but pulling the socks over my heels is a bit tough. I can get the sock on and it fits well - it's just getting it on that's the problem. I kind of have to pull the heel to get the sock all the way on. It works, but I'd rather have an easier time of putting the sock on & off. I'm going to try a size 1 (2.5mm). I hope this doesn't leave the sock too loose on my leg. That is a possibility, because with the smaller needles, once I managed to get the sock on, the fit was perfect. I'll never know, though, until I try.

I had actually knit 42 rows of the cable pattern before I decided to frog. That was almost the complete sock (and two at that!). Oh, well, I'm more of a process knitter anyway, so I don't mind doing it all over again.

Here are a few pictures before my socks went RIBIT:

Progress Report

*****Progress on my Inside Out Socks*****

Here, I'm about two thirds of the way through the foot. I'm using size 000 (1.5mm) Addi Turbo's, 47". I started out using the 40" length but with such tiny needles, I needed to go to the longer length to work the Magic Loop easier.



In this picture, I'm just about finished with the foot. The goal here is to end at about 1.75" before the back of the heel.



The heel is finally complete. I knit about 69 rows for the foot and then started the heel. I switched back to size 0's (2.0mm), still using a 47" length. It's actually quite interesting the way the heel takes shape using the short row technique. And there's no need to worry about picking up gusset stitches!! Knitting these socks from the toe up has been a lot fun and a great learning experience. I am really enjoying knitting something in a manner entirely differently than what I am used to.




Here's a view of one heel complete next to the other sock "in waiting."




*****Progress on my Icarus Shawl*****

Icarus is moving along quite nicely, as well (about 55% complete). I've pretty much decided to go with just 5 repeats of chart 1, although I still have a few more rows to go before I make a final decision. I do think the shawl will be big enough, though, without the 6th repeat.

Inside Out!

The name of the pattern is Inside Out and it is designed by Kaci Kyler Hays. The yarn is Socks That Rock Yarn from Blue Moon Fiber Arts in the colorway Monsoon. It's the first edition of the 2007 Rockin' Sock Club. This is my first foray into knitting toe-up socks. I've wanted to try toe-ups, but have been kind of intimidated by the thought of it. I know how to knit cuff down, I really enjoy it, and I think I am pretty capable of knitting any type of sock from the cuff down. So if that formula works, why fool with it? To coin an old phrase: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Well, forget that. I love trying new things with my knitting. I enjoy teaching myself different techniques and taking on new challenges, so why not try toe-up socks? The perfect opporunity came with the Rockin' Sock Club's first kit for this year. And so far, I'm not disappointed. Here are the toes, short rows and all.




And true to form, I am knitting these both at the same time using the Magic Loop method - 2 socks on one circular needle. I'm using Addi Turbo's. For the toes, I used size 0 (2.0mm), 40". The pattern instructions called for a crochet provisional cast on, but I prefer using the magic 8 method. In that way, my extra stitches are already on a needle and therefore very easy to pick up and begin kintting.

Cleo came by and gave me her official meow of approval.



I'm now about 13 rows into the foot of my socks. I'm using size 000 (1.5mm), 40" Addi Turbo's. (The pattern was written for a size 10 foot and I'm only a 5 1/2, so I am using smaller needles). You may not be able to tell from the pictures below, but the pattern on the instep is slightly different from the pattern on the sole.

Instep

Sole

Needless to say, I have not knit Icarus for a few days. I may work on her a little bit tonight. I am making slow, but forward, progress on her, so that's a good thing. I'm up to row 150, which is not quite half way through the 5th repeat of chart 1. I still haven't decided whether or not I'll go for the 6th repeat. I'm 42% complete if I stick with just 5 repeats & 35% complete if I go with 6 repeats.

Rockin' Sock Club

Stay tuned for updates regarding this:



I'm back to knitting socks - this time a toe-up pair. I'll try to post some progress pictures this weekend. I'm using the magic loop method, 2 socks at once.

I also am still working on Icarus. I'm on the 5th repeat of chart 1, although I haven't decided yet whether or not I'll go for the 6th repeat.

The checkerboard afghan is still on the back burner. I probably won't pick that up again until at least this current pair of socks & the Icarus shawl are complete.