Monday, June 27, 2011

Lettuce Paraphernalia Socks

These socks are making me insanely happy! Can you believe, two finished project posts in two days and a pattern I've actually knit twice? I can't either. And do you know what this mean? It means I've actually made two of four pairs of socks for myself this year (per my blogiversary resolution). Please don't scoff at me those of you who have been knitting a pair a week since January.


All I could think about today was getting a chance to get outside to take pictures since I finished these last night. I decided to do pictures in the front yard instead of the back. It always worries me a little that the neighbors will wonder what I'm doing but I really love the socks so I didn't notice anyone looking. 


After everyone's helpful suggestions on how to reinforce the heel (and all the positive comments on the Malabrigo Sock), I decided to knit the socks on smaller needles than I normally do. I knit the leg and foot on a US1 (getting a gauge of about 9.25 stitches to an inch) and the heel and toe on a US0 (with a gauge of 11 stitches to an inch, ouch).  The pattern calls for a gauge of 7spi, which seems a little loose to me, especially for this yarn. Because of my smaller gauge I had to reknit the first sock twice. I didn't try it on or measure it until I finished the toe (what was I thinking?) and it was far too small. So I pulled it out to past the heel and reknit it based on the largest size indicated in the pattern. After finishing the toe, I tried it on again (what's with me and the not measuring?) and it was still too small.


I went ahead and knit the second sock, making sure to measure the foot as I went. I ended up having to had about 15 extra rows to the pattern before the toe in order to get a size that would fit. Once I finished sock #2, I pulled out the toe of sock #1 and added the rows.  I used the same yarn that I had just frogged so the bottom of the sock looks kind of lumpy and loose. I'm hoping that will even out with wear and washing, but in the meantime, it's in the crook of my toes so I'm not going to stress over it too much. 


Now to pick another sock pattern I can carry around with me. 
And maybe to buy more sock yarn.
 

17 comments:

  1. That is one gorgeous pair of socks!

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  2. Oh they look fabulous! Congrats on the finish and fie on folks who knit a pair of socks per week. (Not really. To each his own eh?)

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  3. Andrea, they are so gorgeous! The color, the pattern, everything is perfect!

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  4. As always, your socks are amazing!

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  5. great cables! i can't believe you knit one of those two+ times. you've got more determination than me.

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  6. They look awesome! I actually had to cut out some of the rows on mine... but I always over-estimate the size of my (ridiculously) small feet.

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  7. I really like those. Usually I'm not a green fan, but it works with the pattern!

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  8. Those are just smashing! I have some Mal sock I've been holding off on using for socks because it feels a bit flimsy...you're totally tempting me.

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  9. I love those socks!! I'm sure with wear the toe thing will totally be just fine. The colour and pattern looks so good together, you mad a great choice!

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  10. Great looking pair of socks!
    I'm not one of the sock knitters who knit a pair a week. Nope, it takes me at least two weeks. (sometimes more when I work on other stuff at the same time, lol)

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  11. Fantastic socks! Love everything about them. I will be excited which ones you will cast on next.

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  12. That is one great looking pair of socks!!! I totally get why you are insanely happy ~ enjoy!

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  13. Considering it's been um, a year? since my last socks finish, I say bravo! THese are awesome socks, Andrea. The color is wonderful, and the cables were a great choice for the semi-solid. Yippee!

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  14. Diddo to the first person's comment! Gosh. Wow. The pattern and the yarn are both amazing.

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  15. Wow, they are beyond gorgeous! Well done you! :)

    -photoknitdog.com

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