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Friday, February 09, 2007

First Toe Up Socks

Edited to add: I mentioned that in my first round of the 10 rows that on one line somehow I had made a mistake but didn't know where. Well, I figured out what it was.

To those attempting this pattern (or who want to but haven't), there is an error on line 9...it starts with p1, k5 but that leaves you with one extra stitch at the end. I think that is supposed to be a k6 instead so that it all works out. Besides, the rest of the 10 rows all start with p1, k6 and end with k6, p1 so it only makes sense that there is a typo. I've since changed it on my copy of the pattern.

Just wanted you to be aware...

Will ya look at that? Will wonders never cease? I have finally begun my first ever toe up socks! I used the crochet cast on method (I think that's what it's called) and it wasn't nearly as difficult as I had imagined. The only problem I had was in getting the crochet chain undone to ravel out...not entirely sure I did it correctly, but nonetheless, I did get it out.



This is the beginnings of the Falling In Love pattern from MagKnits, and I only have the first 10 rows done so far. It isn't difficult (at least not at this point, but then you just repeat these 10 rows to get your pattern so I doubt there will be any difficulty), and I think the pattern will look nice with this colour. The pattern gives you options to do short row heels or the gusset/flap heels, but at this point I'm not sure which I'll choose. Normally when I do my socks (which so far have all been top down), I do the heel flap and gussets. But, I think that since this is a new experience for me - the toe up method - it might be a good time to learn a new heel as well. We'll see when I get to that point at which I decide to go with.

I made at least one error in the pattern when I was knitting it, but I couldn't tell what I had done wrong, so I just left it. On the particular line I had to k6 and end with a p1 at the end, but somehow I ended up with 8 stitches left instead of 7 so I just k7 instead. I don't think it will be terribly noticeable.

Also, in the wrap arounds for the toe I messed up a couple of times but that was due to having started it before school and not having enough time to finish it, which resulted in a loss of rhythm doing it. I know that when I do the second sock that I will have to do that section all at the same time...so I don't get lost. But, I will just chalk this up to experience ;o). I'll show more pics another time when there is progress on the sock...like maybe when I get to the heels I'll show you how I'm doing - especially if I decide to go with the short rows.

Now, I must go and do some reading for a book review that is due towards the end of the month. The book is on the history of Prince Edward Island (for my Maritime History class) - some of it is interesting, and some is boring (like the political aspects...). At any rate, it must be done.

Happy knitting!

18 comments:

HDW said...

OH OH OH OH I think I am going to love love love those socks!!!! I don't get mag knits, is there somewhere you can order back issues or copies of the patterns?

As for toe up socks...they totally rock....and once you have the concept down as long as you are doing them on 2 circs knitting 2 at once is easy peasy lemon squeezy!! Right now I lack 2 sets of the same size circular needles in the right size to do the patterns I want to do so I am stuck knitting them up one at a time!!! BLEH!!!! :)

Rachel said...

Nice job! I really like that pattern from Mag Knits, by the way.

How do you knit two socks at one time? I've heard of knitters doing that, but I must confess the process baffles me. Do you know of a good on-line place I can learn about that?

Thanks!

Charity said...

These are going to be awesome socks! I've just started my first toe up socks, too, but mine are just plain ol' vanilla ones. :0)

Rebecca said...

Good for you, Shelley! You go girl! I wimp out when I get to the short-row heel and STILL have not successfully completed a pair of Toe-ups. :-(

lexa said...

I dug yarn out of my stash today to use for these socks. Mine are going to be tealy-blue. It's a mostly-solid, hand-dyed yarn I got on eBay once upon a time.

I tried short row heels once, and it didn't work out. I will decide once I get to the heel which one I'll choose to do. I think if I go with SRH I will wait til the boys are asleep. They kept distracting me the last time, and I got mad and ripped it out.

Have a nice weekend!

Judy said...

Thanks for admiring the kimono I just finished up. Your socks and the color you chose looks great so far. Congrats on your first toe-up design, I have only done one pair that way, and used the figure-8 cast on. I didn't like that method, and so next time I think I'll try the crocheted way. I can't wait to see them finished!

monica said...

Your sock is looking great so far. Love the color you are knitting with. Don't study too hard, what discipline you have to be able to put the knitting aside to read history.

Susan said...

Rachel Knitty.com has an article on knitting two socks at the same time.

Shelley, great start to the socks, I've not done a toe up either yet, and they are first on the list.

Janice said...

That sock is going wonderfully!! I love the color and the pattern (from what I see of it.....) Can't wait to see the finished pair!!

Lisa said...

I hope to knit that pattern sometime too. Not sure when, my sock list is way too long!

I love the layout of your blog! Those lilies at the top are so gorgeous!

lexa said...

Thanks for pointing that out -- I plan on starting mine really soon, maybe next week or so. Saves me some confusion!

Anonymous said...

The sock is looking great Shelley. And yes, there is a typing mistake in line 9, it should be k6 not k5. I'll e-mail MagKnits to let them know. Love the colour.

Good luck with the rest of the sock. Just e-mail me or pop over to my blog if you or anyone else have any questions.

Anniken

Anonymous said...

That's a great pattern and a great color to do it in! I'm a big fan of toe-up socks and also the short-row heel. I think either heel you choose will work well, though.

Any chance you'll get this cute heart sock done by Valentine's Day? :)

SheepsPyjamas said...

Your sock is looking good! I do most of my socks toe up, and usually two at a time (yes, I'm a bit paranoid about running out of yarn), so I'll be especially cheering you on all the way through... And the crocheted zip-off, if you got the stitches out, you did it right, end result, hmm?

Karen said...

Toe up is one technique I haven't tried and really have no desire to. Yours look great! Love that color blue too.

Anonymous said...

Yay for knitting Toe-up-socks! It was very interesting reading through your impressions and experiences as I've never done toe-up-ones before, and you know, these tips will come in very handy when I'll be giving it a try too - thanks for that! Your socks are going to look great - and I *so* love this shade of blue that you're using, very beautiful!

Piglottie said...

Thank you for the lovely message you left on my blog. I have the yarn to knit this pattern so it has been interesting to read your experience so far. They look lovely in that shade btw.

Alisha said...

Those are going to look so nice!!!