Right now I have 8 pairs of hand knit socks, which is actually quite a few given that I have only been knitting them for a little over 3 years. But then you have to factor in the 'mistakes', 'oopsies' or 'needs fixing', which actually leaves me with 4 pairs of hand knit socks. Hmmmm.
Exhibit A:
I'm not really sure how the toe on my soft flames socks came undone, but this pair has been sitting on my floor since NOVEMBER waiting to be fixed. I think I may finally do just that today....
Exhibit B:
My Lacy Ribs Socks which took me a pretty long time to knit, have felted up pretty bad in the washer. This is probably my own fault, since the yarn is 100% merino and I don't actually know if it said it was machine washable. Lets just say it takes quite a bit of work to get them on when I decide to wear them.
Exhibit C:
Right after I learned to knit socks I spent a summer working on this pair out of Mini Mochi. I love the color way, and I would wear it more, but the heel on one of them is off by a bit, thus making my feet hurt every time I wear them. I guess that's what I get for using a 'make your own sock' book not long after actually learning how to make socks.
Exhibit D:
There really isn't too much wrong with my First pair of socks, but I still feel like I can't wear them as much as I'd like. They're a bit big (need a second pair under) so they are more like night time/around the house socks. And they have started to pill pretty bad. I love the yarn though, Dream in Color is amazing.
That leaves me with 4 other pairs I can actually wear on a regular basis, and in all honestly, even those are a bit big sometimes. Sock gauge is the worst, I feel like I can never really meet it in a way that will make my feet happy. Is there some trick I'm missing???
I have another 7/8 skeins of sock yarn in my stash, so why have I yet to start another pair? Second sock syndrome? My desire for more instant gratification? The fact that I have 4 other WIP's right now, plus a commission? I wish I knew. I really love socks, but sometime I wish they'd knit themselves.
~Lisa
Ha! I kinda wish socks would knit themselves too - especially the super pretty lacy ones I want ....
ReplyDeleteI have 2 ideas that might help: 1) make sure your gauge is AT LEAST 8 stitches/inch with fingering weight sock yarn. You will probably need to use size 1 or 0 needles for this. My first pair was knit on size 2 needles and they are super loose and baggy and stretch out in a heartbeat, gauge is super important for structural integrity. 2) handwash your socks! Even if they say they are machine washable, like the superwash merino in Dream In Color yarn, they will last A LOT longer looking pretty if you handwash them. Buy a little bottle of Soak, put a nickel-size amount in a bowl with warm (not hot) water and let them sit for 15 minutes. Then gently squeeze them in a towel and lay them flat somewhere to dry. They will be good as new.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile- we have soooooo much in common : )
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alicia: a nice, tight gauge, and hand-washing. True, sometimes socks wear out even with special treatment, but I've found that mine last a LOT longer if I hand-wash them.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED seeing photos of your socks, and with accompanying stories, to boot! :)
Thanks for sharing your imperfect socks! It makes me feel better about my two attempts to knit a pair, which resulted in two first socks (if that makes sense). I'd like to try again, but those tiny needles make my wrists hurt.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Such sad stories. Be sure that you use yarn with plenty of nylon (like 25%). If the yarn doesn't have nylon you can use the nylon thread make for knitting toes and heels. The thread hasn't helped me since I tend to snag my socks on things and that is 100% my fault:(
ReplyDelete