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Sunday, January 15, 2006

Completion!

Ok, here you have it...my first pair ever of hand knit socks. I really enjoyed making them and look forward to doing more. There are some things I need to practice, but for the most part the second sock knit up much better once I knit it the right way (and not insideout and backwards).

I'm not entirely sure I did the grafting/kitchener stitch entirely correctly, but to the best of my knowledge it should be ok because I followed the directions on the Socks 101 (link on my sidebar) site. My worry is that it will come undone because I didn't tie it off and weave it in all that good; but I guess only time will tell.


The one on the left is the one I just finished tonight, and the one on the right is the first one - with all the mistakes in it. It looks 'odd', but it's just because of the way it is laying (it really does look like a sock).

This pair I won't be wearing (unfortunately) because of the first sock being done wrong and you can really tell when I put it on. The seams that were tight the way I did it, appear loose when I put the sock on and you can see that that is where the seam is. Also I did the first row wrong on the heel since I should have done it opposite to what I did because of the way I was knitting it, so that shows as purling instead of knitting. There are a couple other mistakes, though not as noticeable. However, they are my first pair...I guess you could say my tester pair that I will hold on to and 'compare' other socks to so that I can see improvement...or at least I hope I will see improvement!!

For this pair, I used Patons Sox yarn (acrylic/nylon mix) and 3.25 mm DPN's and followed the pattern that was on the wrapper of the yarn.

So, the next pair will be the blue ones (solid this time and not two colour stripes like this pair) for my nephew. I'm going to cast on tonight and get a few rows done to get a start on them. I am thinking they won't take as long since they are only toddler size and won't be as big as an adult pair. I'm psyched; I can't wait to get those ones done now! Will post a pic of them when I get them completed.

Happy knitting!

14 comments:

Lynda said...

Excellent socks!! You did it! I have the same kind of "first pair" the first one with a ton of mistakes, and 2nd sock only slightly better, but I still wear them. You can't tell to bad in my jeans and shoes!

StarKnits said...

oh they don't look that bad! wear them anyways not everyone knits socks you're special!
i don't do the kitchner stich well i like to make my socks toe up. using the short row heel and toe. it goes so fast!
you'll do better as you practice and make more! it's super addictive!
great job

amylovie said...

They look wonderful. Great job.

Amy

amylovie said...

They look wonderful. Great job.

Amy

knittinmom said...

Congrats on your first pair of socks! And don't worry - it does get much easier with practice. The first pair I made went okay, but the second I had to rip out five times before I finally got them right. I wouldn't have been so picky, but they were for my mother-in-law! Anyway, you are all signed up for the sock-a-month knitalong and you already have your J for January! Happy socking!

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

Thanks guys! I'm pretty pleased with the results of the socks. I'm psyched to start the next pair already!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your 1st pair of socks!!! I think that they look great and would proudly wear them if I had made them! ;) Go for the 2nd pair, they'll be perfect I'm sure. :)

Sharon said...

Well done Shelley, on completing your first socks and in super quick time. Wear them and wear them with pride I say!!

You asked if a beginner could knit my feather and fan socks and I say yes. Feather and Fan is an easy lace pattern and the rest of the sock is made in the same way. As soon as I have finished it and it is ok I will write up the pattern and post it on my blog.

Anonymous said...

You posted in the Yarn Harlot that you wanted more info about steeks - I just found this blog the other day, and she's been doing a whole thing on steeks. It's amazing:
http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

carrie...thanks so much for the link. I'll check it out.

Jenny said...

You rock, girl!!!!!

Anonymous said...

These are so much fun! Think how bright and cheerful they'll be every time you wear them (and I think you SHOULD wear them). I have yet to knit socks myself (well, not since an ill-conceived super-bulky pair 6 years ago), but all the sock-blogging going around is starting to thaw a heart that I thought was forever frozen against sock knitting.

Anny said...

Congrats! They're not perfect but I think socks are like pancakes...the first one always turns out weird :0) I'm sure the next pair will be fab. And I agree with Rachel, you should wear them around the house. There's nothing like handknit wool socks on our cold Canadian winter evenings!

elizabeth said...

Way cool - love the socks! Too bad we can't get together and wear our first socks together with jeans rolled up - LOL! I've been looking around trying to decide which pattern to do next, so I'll be interested to see what you do, too. :)