small mister socks

I slept a bit after work today.

Small Mister and I enjoyed the flowers and trees.  We walked to pick up vegetables and go to the library.  This means that I really did not get done what I had been hoping to get done after work.  I needed a small project.

I finished socks.  Poppa put it on him.  Small Mister kept putting them on and taking them off.  I would say that is a success.  I need to remember small projects, even though I am a horrible knitter.  Socks and hats.  I may just need to find a place to donate them to as well.

socks are done!

Last week for blogging was interesting.  There was the days where the internet did not work and I lost patience.  And then we went camping.  There was no internet then.  But I do admit that I was happy to have many less electronics around.  My Beloved and I went for walks and talked and drank gallons of tea.

I did finish the pair of socks I have been working on for my beloved.  Even though i followed the same pattern for each one, they have turned out a different size.  When I told him, he just laughed.  He was impressed that I actually finished them after not having knitted for twenty five years.  I was actually surprised how restful I found them to knit.  I want to make some stockings for myself but I have a feeling that is going to be interesting in its own right!

Now, my Beloved just has to be home to try them on.  He is way over worked currently and very missed!

one sock down, one to go

My Beloved is such a patient man!  Especially when I am learning something new for him!  This long distant picture of the sock I made so far looks like it does not have many issues.  Taking a picture from a distance really helps!  After the first six inches, I asked him if he would like me to frog it and and start again.  His response was basically he liked the imperfections and only the Divine makes the perfect.

I thought this heel looked huge until it went on his foot.  And it fit.  He was worried about that the sock would be too big on his foot.  I had read the pattern closely and decided to trust it.  The pattern was right and it fit his foot.

I really liked how the toe came out.  He would like the top of the sock to be tighter.  I think it really needs to be taller.  He wanted it to be completely over his calf and it is not quite there.  I have not figured out how to do tighter yet.

But I have started on the next one.  I am going to make it the same size and strive for less imperfections.

The next set of socks I will use smaller needles and make the top longer.  Or if anybody has any ideas?

turning a heel

I just had to share.  I was not feeling very energetic this weekend so I spent a lot of time sitting with my knitting.  My Beloved's sock.  He wish to have tall socks and I got a handle on the top.  It is really not a cuff because it is thirteen inches long.  There are many errors and I showed it to him.  He likes the errors and the uniqueness of the errors.  I think he may be a bit touched.

I had always heard stories from my Father about my Grandmother knitting socks.  He always made it seem that the heels were painful.  With those stories and knowing my Grandmother was a fabulous knitter, I approached the heel with some trepidation.  It was much easier then I expected!  I just followed the pattern.  Since I have already changed the pattern once, this is probably a good thing.  This sock was supposed to be a crew length, not to the knee!

I am so pleased.  The sock has a heel.  I know I will have to do it again and I am hoping to have enough patience with myself that there will be ease.

I caved

My Beloved asked for handmade socks.  I tried crocheting them but I was just not pleased.  I took the yarn down to the weaving/spinning/knitting/crocheting store I like and got knitting needles.  Yes, you heard right. Knitting.  Ugh!

The last time I knitted was when my tall short person was not even born yet.  It just has never appealed to me and I have found it extremely frustrating in the past.  But crocheted socks just do not make the grade.

I did have to laugh at myself when the kind lady pulled out the 2 to 3 double pointed needles to match the yarn I had.  I am always making a challenge for myself, am I not?  It is Cascade Yarns' Heritage sock yarn in a dark green.  It is very fine, almost a lace weight.  As a beginning yarn, not what I would suggest!  This is why I laughed at myself.  I do appreciate the wooden needles though!  I always use wooden crochet hooks anymore.

I pulled out my copy of Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Workshop for guidance, watched a few videos on the internet, and got started.  And you know what?

It has not gone too badly.  I have ribbing (I am working on a ribbed sock pattern).  I will not say it is perfect, or even pretty, but after over twenty five years, not too bad.  I even dropped a few stitches and was able to repair them.  It is a good thing I was crocheting with this yarn first!

And I did not get as frustrated as I did last time.  Maybe time was just needed.