Sunday, September 23, 2007

Done!

I finished my pair of the socks that Zonda and I are working on for the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair. Which means I've finally knit up one of the skeins of Wollmeise yarn that I've been hording in my stash. The Wollmeise knit up very nice and I'm looking forward to using more. I had almost enough yarn left over for another complete pair of socks. I could certainly knit a pair of footies with what was left over - or even a pair on knee-highs with the whole skein. But I don't really wear long socks.

This pair of socks is really pretty basic, but I did use a short row toe for the first time. I really like the process. It seemed to make the whole toe knit up a lot faster. Maybe it was because I didn't have to fiddle around with casting onto more than one needle.

The only problem I had with the short row toe was the provisional cast-on. Well, it wasn't really a problem with the cast on because I didn't use a provisional cast-on because I don't know how.

Instead of trying to learn one, I just did a simple cast on and knit several rows with a different yarn in the same weight. I figured it really wouldn't be too difficult to get the other yarn out when it was time to unzip the provisional cast-on .

It turned out to be just a little more of a hassle than I thought. I cut the first couple rows of the waste yarn. Then I tried to unravel the remaining rows.

It took a little more time to get those rows out - but once I did get the frogging started I was able to get the stitches on the second needle and begin knitting the foot of my sock. I really liked being able to cast on enough stitches for half the sock onto one needle. It saved all the fiddling I normally have to do to keep the stitches on the needles in the beginning.

Using short rows for the toes created a very nice seamless edge. I liked that too. I plan on using the short row toe more often. I just have to learn a true provisional cast-on.

Project Info

Yarn: Wollmeise Rhabarber
color: Rhabarber - skein 160 - 86 grams used
Needles: addi TURBO Lace - US# 1 (2.5 mm)
Stitch Pattern: garter rib
Notes: toe-up using a short row toe and short row heel; knit using two circular needles toe-up on two circular needles, 64 stitches per round; 74 grams yarn leftover

20 comments:

Monika said...

Your socks turned out beautifully! The yarn didn't pool, but striped very nicely! The prov. cast on is real easy and worth learning it. You'll like your toe up socks even more! ;o) Wollmeise is beautiful to look at in the skein, but knit up even more so.

Bezzie said...

That's funny because that's basically what I do when I want a provisional cast on. The trick is is when you cast on originally, cast on really really loose so it will be easy to unzip. I wasn't aware there was a "correct" way!

Very cute socks too--you and Z will be sure to have a good time!

cpurl17 said...

Cute socks.

Can I say how jealous I am that your going? Save some yarn for the rest of us

Jessie Blum @ Eclectic Unions said...

What nice stripes you got there for hand-dyed yarn! they're really pretty.

I could never, ever, ever get the hang of provisional cast ons of any kind until I found these instructions. Now it's one of my favorite cast ons to use to get the perfect edge! And when I knit socks, but I don't knit socks very much.

Sue J. said...

Oh, I just love that yarn!! The socks turned out great. Nice job!

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

That Rhabarber is so stunning, love your socks. I HATE provisional cast-on and always end up doing the figure 8, which is old hat to me by now.

Zonda said...

Those are fab and you won't be seeing mine until the end of the week!! At least by Sept. 30th! Mine are pooling..sigh..only at the ankle, but I kinda like it..

Magic toe from knitty is what I like. I just use 10 or more stitches to start with.

Jennie said...

They look great! I keep telling myself I need to learn to do toe up socks, at least once so I can see how the process goes. Hmm you may have piqued my interest.:)

Oh, how are the Addi Turbo lace needles? Are the tips really pointy? I've been eying them but since I have a few Knit Picks needles I wanted to know if they're worth it. Is the cable as flexible as advertised? :)

Anonymous said...

Love the socks, and the color combo of the yarn. I'm looking forward to trying toe-up, they look like fun!!

Lauren said...

Nice socks! :)

Stacey said...

have you ever tried the magic cast on from Knitty? I love it.....then you could do your short rows from there...love the colors. Wollmeise is amazing!

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

they look great!

gilraen said...

Ohhhhh georgeous!!!! Short row toes, hmmmmmm............I'm not worthy!

Seriously they are beautiful! :)

Anonymous said...

They look great. I like the display pieces you photo'd them on too. I'm not sure I'm happy with my first attempt at socks.... I'm using the #1 but they still seem very loose.... I'll eventually figure it out.
How tall do you make the leg on your socks???

Jessica said...

Well that looks like a lot of work. I'm glad you finished them in time. They look great! :)

IrishGirlieKnits said...

Those socks are gorgeous!! I can only imagine how fabulous they feel too!! That is probably my favorite Wollmeise colorway so far.

gray la gran said...

those socks are delicious!!! i love their wee tidy stitches =)
i often use a provisional cast on when i do my tubular cast on ...
i use a contrast yarn and chain it (with crochet hook) onto the dpn. that's virtually the same as crocheting a separate chain and then trying to pick up the back "humps" of the chain with your needle, but way easier to just chain it onto the needle to begin with.
then, when you're ready to remove, you just "unzip" from the end that you tied off. easy peasy.
i did not follow the links anyone else post here 'cause i'm lazy like that. but, if you'd like a demo anytime just let me know.

Anonymous said...

That yarn is beautiful and the toe up sock, itself, is impressive. I've knit a short row toe before, but only in a top down sock. Nice.

Ang

peaknits said...

The socks are awesome - I just love Rhubarber and Wollmeise:) I am torn about how I feel about the toe up - seems like such a hassle and then once the toe is done, I'm so amazed with the results!

Batty said...

Love those socks, the colors are lovely!