Okay, so I'm back in Berkeley, married and with Husband in tow, back to work, and also back to knitting. I didn't get a chance to knit for a while, what with all the last minute wedding details and all. But I'm back to it. And I've discovered something. If you use circular needles, but the connecting wire is too short, it really does mess things up. I sometimes use circular needles if I'm traveling because then I don't have to worry about losing a needle somewhere. Anyway, I've been using circular needles for making my baby afghan strips but the wire was too short. After a third of a strip I decided I couldn't stand it any longer and I bought new needles. (Now, to anyone else this would have been a simple decision and not have taken so long to do, but did I mention I've been on my honeymoon and going to work everyday?) So I dragged the Husband with me to
Stash where I bought straight bamboo needles in the size I needed and the rest of the yarn I'll need for the baby afghan. He was very patient while I looked over the knitting books (I couldn't resist). Anyway, I started using the straight needles right away, and it was SO much better. But I did notice that the new needles are slightly bigger than the others of the same size. The knitting is now more regular and a little looser. In the end, I don't think the difference in the first portion and the rest will be noticeable, so I'm just continuing on from here rather than starting again. I don't think I could stand to rip out the 100 rows I've done so far.
While I was at
Stash I did pick up a sock book. I bought
Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd. I haven't yet delved into sock making but that's next on the agenda. I wanted to get a book and start looking at the particulars and variations and pick out a pattern. I think I have just as much fun looking at patterns and reading about variations and options as I do actually casting on for the next project. I can't wait. Any recommendations on a pattern for a first time sock knitter?
2 comments:
Yay for new books in the knitting library. I haven't looked through that book yet, so you'll have to let me know if there's any "can't live without" patterns.
For your first sock, I'd recommend something basic, like stockinette or a simple ribbing. I don't know about your situation, but it took me awhile to get used to knitting in the round on what felt like toothpicks. I didn't want to complicate matters with adding in some fancy schmancy stitches. Plus, if you get a self-striping yarn, it will look fancier naturally without too much effort on your part.
What Amanda said. Especially important is the ribbing at the top, and it's a lot more forgiving if it's slightly the wrong size.
Plus, gauge is super important. I'm not kidding.
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