All that to say, my knitting has suffered. As I mentioned, I decided to knit my socks with size 1 dpns instead of the pattern-prescribed size 2s and so cast on 4 extra stitches. All that was fine and dandy until it came time to work the short rows for the heels. I couldn't figure out how to work in the extra stitches and have everything some out right in the wash. And so, once again, it was Ravelry to the rescue (!). Some kind soul on the forums answered my question with a link to heels by the number, which is like some sort of magic math. Also, awesome. And so I went. But adding stitches to my heel flap meant extra rows, and extra stitches to be picked up in the gussets. Okay, deep breath. Have I mentioned that this is only my 2nd pair of socks? And that I'm genetically geared to follow directions? Anywho, I now have 6 extra stitches, which I've distributed evenly among my needles, and which I'm hoping will return to 4 extra once I finish the gusset decreases. That should work, right? Here's how sock #1 is looking these days:
Not much progress this week, and here's why:
I'm a big fan of The Pioneer Woman, and she was in town a couple of weeks ago, so I had to go and buy her new book and have it signed. And now I'm totally engrossed in it. It's not fine literature, for sure, but it's sweet and light and makes me sigh a lot. Probably lucky for Mr. Right that he's away this week.
That's all I have to report, but there are loads of other folks working on cool stuff over at WIPW. Go see.
The yarn is really pretty. I can see how it would soothe the stabbiness. I know what you mean about being out of wack when the OH is away. I never know what day it is when he is away with work. It takes me about a month to recover!
ReplyDeletePretty stripey socks.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the socks! The first few pairs I made were kind of mysterious to me and I couldn't quite understand the connection between the instructions and the result... but it only gets more intuitive :)
ReplyDeleteOoooh that yarn is gorgeous!
ReplyDeletelol you lost me at knitting math. JK!
ReplyDeleteI love the Pioneer Woman! That book is totally on my wish list :)
ReplyDeleteThe socks are gorgeous! Your maths sounds about right to me. Just keep decreasing the gusset stitches until until you're back down to the number you want on your needles.
Nice socks. I remember when the Pioneer Woman was just another poster on some homeschool boards I frequent. She's really famous now isn't she. Hope you enjoyed her book.
ReplyDeleteWow, you sure like to challenge yourself. Couldn't just follow the pattern, could you? LOL ;) They look great so far and I have faith that you'll be able to get back to your 4 extra instead of 6.
ReplyDeleteI love book signings!! So fun.
Love the colors of those socks! I hope the math works out for you. I love the Pioneer Woman's cookbook. I will definitely have to check this new book out.
ReplyDeleteThe socks look great! I think you are right about the math working out after your gusset decreases. I picked up some mini mochi after our recent email exchange about the yarn, so I'm glad you are still enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I hate splitty yarn, but the colors of that one are so lovely that I think I'd forgive it as well. The sock looks great. Fingers crossed that the math works out in the end. I understand how you've been feeling this week. I'm always a wreck when my husband has to go out of town!
ReplyDeletegood luck with the sock! I can't wait to see how it turns out :D
ReplyDeleteThe sock looks gorgeous. Good job working your way through the modifications. What would we do without Rav?
ReplyDeleteThose socks are looking cozy! So funny about feeling messed up when the other half is out of town. I think once you're in the same house, you'll enjoy the change when he's gone. Like you finally get some time to yourself! Well, maybe it will take a few years, it did for me. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the yarn! Love the socks! Eek! Math? That is something I can't handle. My daughter had math homework the other day. It was to ask a parent how they use math and measurements throughout the week. Let's see...knitting, spinning, weaving, dyeing. I guess that algebra did come in handy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book suggestion too.
I love that yarn! What colorway is it? It is great that Ravelry is so wonderful you can find out just about anything there. I think you are doing awesome for your second pair of socks!
ReplyDeleteYour socks look great! Hard to believe they're only your second pair. :)
ReplyDeleteI bookmarked that link. I usually do the math myself, it will help for those brain slow moments.
ReplyDeleteLove how your sock is looking so far.
Making the first pair of socks is definitely a knitting milestone! Yours look great.
ReplyDeleteLast year at Stitches South, we took a class with Melissa Leapman and she showed us how to do the same kind of size adjustment by trial & error versus an algebra formula. My teenage daughter, also a knitter, looked at me and said, "there is a purpose for math!" She had not believed it, otherwise.
I've never knit with Mini Mochi before, but I'm always enamored by the colors and the softness.
ReplyDeleteAnd actually, I'm working on my second ever pair of socks, too! Hooray for new sock converts. :D
Love the mochi color! Thanks for the heels by number link, very handy.
ReplyDelete