05 September 2007

The Difficulties in Photographing One's Own Foot.



Here's a picture of my new favorite socks. I call them Half Monkeys because I only did the pattern on the front. The contortions required to achieve this photograph are almost more difficult than I anticipated. I did manage to get one in frame though.



I love the color. It's Nature's Palette Odd Duck #3. I wasn't convinced it would make a nice sock, it's kind of funky yarn, but once I got going I loved it. Nice fabric and such pretty colors. I love the spottiness. The sock is just two repeats of the Monkey pattern by Cookie A, and I used a dutch heel and star toe of three points from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks book.

Actually I should call them Half Monkeys v.2. After doing one and having it turned out completely whacked, I made notes, did another and ripped out the first to make the 'new' second.



When gauged this yarn, my calculations told me that I'd have to cast on a lot more stitches than the Monkey pattern called for, so I thought to myself, 'Why don't I just do two repeats, and then I can do as many stockinette as I like!'

This was great in theory. I did some calf shaping and everything. After getting maybe four repeats in, it looked like I was about to run out of yarn, so I decided just to go ahead and do the heel and finish the foot.

Man.

Either my calculator lies, or I should just not knit at night. The top was loose and the foot was about an inch too short. Not only was the leg loose it was REALLY loose. So loose that I figured I could cut out like 15 stitches. This brings me back to the 60 stitches that Monkey calls for originally. (Incidentally I'm having this same gauge-lying problem with the new CHT Sockittome yarn I have. Anyone else find that their gauge gives them way too loose a sock?)




Oh!My drink cozy turned out much better than I expected once it was felted. It actually fit, and even more amazingly, it was stable AND I could get my hand in the pocket. I'd change how I made the bottom though It was more square than I'd like and the points come up the sides.
I am generally pleased though.


I have a new toy! Now I can ball up yarn when I'm alone! Amazing, I know. I decided my husband B wasn't that good of a helper anyway. He wouldn't let go and my balls ended up way too tight.


I end with an obligatory photo of the kitties. Arent' they too cute?





4 comments:

ingrid said...

The socks look GREAT! They're worth all the math and reknitting you had to do to make them.

And the kitties are SO sweet. They seem to be getting along quite well.

Lydia said...

Thanks! I've worn them nonstop since I finished them. They're not even washed yet lol.

We were lucky, the kitties get along VERY well. Nickel is such a sweety, when he finally realized she was here to stay, he gave up and let her sleep with him and he'll wash her. So cute.

Anonymous said...

I...love...those...socks! One of my friends knitted me a pair of green, teal and blue ones--I can hardly wait for cool weather!

Btw, those cats are adorable, especially the tiny one. Did you decide on a name yet? I'm partial to "Katydid" myself. ; )

-cassandralynne

Lydia said...

Thanks for the sock complement (sockliment?)!

We did indeed name the new kitty Katydid. It was the only name she'd make any response to, so we figured that was it.