Second Sock Syndrome Prevention
Thanks for your all of your comments on the Cable Twist Socks! I’m really smitten with them. I’ve finished the first one and I’m halfway down the leg of the second one. It knits so quickly because the pattern calls for worsted weight yarn. Even though I’m using US2 DPNs, it’s a fast knit!
My only regret with this sock is the Kitchener grafting. I love the seamless look of the toe graft but I hate how I get points that stick out at either end of the toe. Do you see them? I’ve looked up tutorials and learned the setup steps to make it look cleaner but I still see a pronounced bump on each end. Do any of you master sock knitters out there have any suggestions on how to avoid the problem?
And here’s your oh-so-exciting progress picture on the second sock:
Now that I know how quickly these knit up, I want more pairs. *sigh* I have so many baby projects that I want to start but since B. is too small for many of her existing knits, I’m going to postpone the big baby knitting projects for now.
So what next? Another pair of cable twist socks? Or the Orchid Socks from craftaholic? Or the Hedera Socks from Knitty? Carin, my secret pal from SP8, gave me some Lang Jawool that I’d like to use soon – it’s calling me. So, I guess I’ll think about what comes next while I work away on the second Cable Twist sock.
Much to my horror, I’m discovering that knitting is one of the only activities that I’m still able to do. I haven’t started back to running yet for a host of reasons. First of all, Beatrix can’t go in the jogging stroller until 4 months (another 5 weeks) because of the head support issue. The only other time I can really run (baby-free) is at 5 p.m. when Aaron gets home from work and that seems to be her fussiest time of day when nursing is the only thing that satisfies her. We walk all over town every day but walking just doesn’t clear my head the way running does. I keep assuring myself that this is a very temporary situation but it’s still hard to take.
Secondly, I honestly think my brain checked out the day I delivered. I have such a hard time reading, concentrating and remembering really important stuff! I hope this is just postpartum brain. Everyone assures me that it goes away…
so…
I’m waiting…
The pointy-toe thing… I haven’t found a way to completely avoid it, though somehow my toes HAVE become much less pointy over time without my consciously changing the way I Kitchener. I will say that with wear, even the pointiest toes smooth out. My first socks, which died recently, started out with super pointy toes at either end of the graft, and by the time I wore them last, there was no pointiness to be seen whatsoever.
The pointy-toe thing… I haven’t found a way to completely avoid it, though somehow my toes HAVE become much less pointy over time without my consciously changing the way I Kitchener. I will say that with wear, even the pointiest toes smooth out. My first socks, which died recently, started out with super pointy toes at either end of the graft, and by the time I wore them last, there was no pointiness to be seen whatsoever.
Pretty socks! Yes, babies seem to know when their mamas really want to get out of the house. I remember when Amelie was only a couple of months old and I really wanted to get out for walks when daddy got home; that was her fussiest moment of the day. I think pregnancy brain gets better. I’m still not as sharp as I was but I haven’t burned the house down or anything (yet). heh heh.
Pretty socks! Yes, babies seem to know when their mamas really want to get out of the house. I remember when Amelie was only a couple of months old and I really wanted to get out for walks when daddy got home; that was her fussiest moment of the day. I think pregnancy brain gets better. I’m still not as sharp as I was but I haven’t burned the house down or anything (yet). heh heh.
Your socks are so pretty! Your first one came out very nice. My son Bryce was a very fussy baby, one thing that worked like a charm (other than feeding) was the vacuum cleaner. It does get a lot easier as they get older. ; )
Your socks are so pretty! Your first one came out very nice. My son Bryce was a very fussy baby, one thing that worked like a charm (other than feeding) was the vacuum cleaner. It does get a lot easier as they get older. ; )
I get those pointy bits too. When weaving in the ends, I try to un-point them by grabbing a leg of hte corner stitch and tacking it down.
I get those pointy bits too. When weaving in the ends, I try to un-point them by grabbing a leg of hte corner stitch and tacking it down.
OK, for the pointy toe thing – hard to explain but on my first and last stitches of each needle, I only go through the stitch once, not twice. i.e. I put the yarn through and take it off rather than setting it up. Does that make any sense? It really makes it less pointy. Email me if you want more help.
OK, for the pointy toe thing – hard to explain but on my first and last stitches of each needle, I only go through the stitch once, not twice. i.e. I put the yarn through and take it off rather than setting it up. Does that make any sense? It really makes it less pointy. Email me if you want more help.
HI!
Forst off, if you make a second pair of thise..Can I have 1st dibs? JK – I love them though! Yours looks much more of a classic beauty than the pattern page. Great Great Job! I showed my finace’ (offically as of this morning, I got the ring finally!) and he agrees they are cool! (as much as a man can agree to knitting) Now, about the bumping..I dont know if this would help…but if you do the grafting with the sock inside out? Would that work? Then do the weaving on the normal knitting side…
If i try this ill let you know
Im knitting some socks now (not the cable pattern)..
Have a great day!
Gia
HI!
Forst off, if you make a second pair of thise..Can I have 1st dibs? JK – I love them though! Yours looks much more of a classic beauty than the pattern page. Great Great Job! I showed my finace’ (offically as of this morning, I got the ring finally!) and he agrees they are cool! (as much as a man can agree to knitting) Now, about the bumping..I dont know if this would help…but if you do the grafting with the sock inside out? Would that work? Then do the weaving on the normal knitting side…
If i try this ill let you know
Im knitting some socks now (not the cable pattern)..
Have a great day!
Gia
Great socks and congrats on your new baby! Hang in there – eventually it does get easier. I know what you mean though about the baby always wanting to nurse when it’s time for mama to leave – they can smell ya a mile away!! Good luck!
Great socks and congrats on your new baby! Hang in there – eventually it does get easier. I know what you mean though about the baby always wanting to nurse when it’s time for mama to leave – they can smell ya a mile away!! Good luck!
Hi there!
Check out the blog Pink Lemon Twist for a tutorial on how to “kitchener without kitchenering”…I think that will solve your problem!
http://www.pinklemontwist.blogspot.com
Those socks are gorgeous! I want to make a pair myself…
Thanks for stopping by!
Aurora
Hi there!
Check out the blog Pink Lemon Twist for a tutorial on how to “kitchener without kitchenering”…I think that will solve your problem!
http://www.pinklemontwist.blogspot.com
Those socks are gorgeous! I want to make a pair myself…
Thanks for stopping by!
Aurora
The socks look great! Mommy brain is definitely real. I’ve been suffering since pregnancy.
The socks look great! Mommy brain is definitely real. I’ve been suffering since pregnancy.
Those are beautiful! I have a problem with the bump on kitchner also…practice maybe?
Those are beautiful! I have a problem with the bump on kitchner also…practice maybe?
Oooh, I hadn’t seen the orchid socks. Those sure are purty!
Oooh, I hadn’t seen the orchid socks. Those sure are purty!
Your first sock turned out great. I just cast-on for mine and am not liking them as much with the variegated yarn, but it is cool and surprisingly easy to knit. I love things that look more complicated then they really are ;0)
For the bump thing, I do two things: (1) exactly what Kat does! and (2) I knit the instep a little longer and don’t decrease as many stiches for the toes since my toes are not naturally pointy! I also do the last 2 or 3 rows of toe decreases every row instead of every other row so it ends up a little rounder and then I kitchener over 30-40 stitches (with 15-20 on each needle) depending on the yarn weight and this fits my foot a lot better.
Cheers!
Your first sock turned out great. I just cast-on for mine and am not liking them as much with the variegated yarn, but it is cool and surprisingly easy to knit. I love things that look more complicated then they really are ;0)
For the bump thing, I do two things: (1) exactly what Kat does! and (2) I knit the instep a little longer and don’t decrease as many stiches for the toes since my toes are not naturally pointy! I also do the last 2 or 3 rows of toe decreases every row instead of every other row so it ends up a little rounder and then I kitchener over 30-40 stitches (with 15-20 on each needle) depending on the yarn weight and this fits my foot a lot better.
Cheers!
Your socks look great! I, too, was inspired by Grumperina’s green beauties. I’m working on my own pair in purple Kroy. It’s going so slowly because I’m using size 0 needles, and I added an extra cable repeat. I really hate making socks on such fine yarn, but I bought the Kroy, and now I have to live with it. I can’t offer help on the Kitchener bumps, but does it make you feel better to know that my kitchener toes are bumpy too? I think it mostly goes away with washing.
Your socks look great! I, too, was inspired by Grumperina’s green beauties. I’m working on my own pair in purple Kroy. It’s going so slowly because I’m using size 0 needles, and I added an extra cable repeat. I really hate making socks on such fine yarn, but I bought the Kroy, and now I have to live with it. I can’t offer help on the Kitchener bumps, but does it make you feel better to know that my kitchener toes are bumpy too? I think it mostly goes away with washing.
Hey, that sock looks awfully familiar to me!
Hey, that sock looks awfully familiar to me!