Good progress
One sock down… I haven’t grafted the toe stitches together yet (that is something best done after the children are in bed so I can finish without losing my mind–I mean rhythm). It’s always a little bit tricky to fit Erik’s socks. I can calculate my gauge and take measurements all day long, but it really comes down to trial and error and personal preference. Erik wears a size 13 shoe, and likes his socks to be very snug. Luckily for me, the first sock fits him great. But I also tried it on, and it fits ME great… I wear a size 10 ladies shoe, but I like my socks to fit exactly, or be slightly long. How convenient that we’ll get to share!
Olga is already asking me to make her a new pair of socks, too, but she wants *red* ones (or rojo as she now says). So it looks like I’ll be doing a little bit of wool dyeing in the near future. Erik’s socks will have to be black or green if he’s going to wear them for work, and I’d really like to have an orange pair myself… Gavin could probably care less what color his socks are… maybe I’ll knit him a pair with all of the multi-colored scraps we end up with.
April 6th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
They look great Annie! I love knitting socks..the last pair I knitted are in Afghanistan right now with a friend’s husband!
I have been in embroidery mode lately..but will be knitting again soon I am sure..I always shift from one thing to another!
have a great week!
Love, Aunt Jenny
April 7th, 2008 at 3:23 am
How beautiful! The socks…but most of all that precious Olga and winning Gavin! You are one talented. lovely lady. Keep spinning yarn and yarns!
I tried to post such nice things on StumbleUpon, but the dingity-dang thing timed out on me whilst word-weaving and trying to find a name that wasn’t taken. I’ll try again when I don’t have a deadline looming. Love you dears!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNIE!
Love, Cousin-Aunt Paula
April 7th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Jenny, I am like you. I switch modes, and then I’m completely immersed in something else for a while. How wonderful that your socks are doing a job where they’re needed most. If all goes well with these socks, they’ll be going to Iraq with Erik this fall.
April 7th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Hello Auntie Cousin! We love and miss you! (We have Noodlebug completely memorized now…)
April 7th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Well, if today is your birthday then….HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
HEE! HEE! ) Thanks and have a great day! Hope you get to spend it with your man!
You don’t know me but I feel like a friend as I follow your blog and love to hear all about your kids and projects! (Exactly like me! My passions are my husband, my kids (6 little boys!) and my crafts!) I think I have 9 projects going right now from sewing to crocheting to quilting! My faves are crocheting and quilting. Although I know how to knit (VERY basic—scarves!) I have know idea how to make socks! I would love to make some. Yours are beautiful! Can you recommend a simple pattern to teach me?! (Maybe “Knitting for Dummies!”
God Bless,
Jen
April 7th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
No, not my birthday! No No No! Not my birthday until June at least! Paula was referring to Olga’s birthday, I believe. (She’s my real-life Auntie Cousin, my mom’s cousin.)
Socks are not hard, but like anything there is a learning curve. I found free patterns on the internet when I first was learning to knit socks. If you want to knit seamless socks, then you will first have to learn to use double pointed needles and knit “in the round” rather than back and forth as for making scarves. My most favorite sock knitting book is called The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook written by Lynne Vogel. It goes though everything from spinning yarn for socks to dyeing wool and calculating your sock pattern. I refer to this book every time I start a new pair of socks. See if you can get it through your local library, or maybe Inter-Library Loan.
April 9th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Thanks! I’ll give it a try!
Jen