Underwater Danceclub
Ah, the weekend. I was so lazy lazy this weekend. I worked at the coffee shop Saturday morning and my Jacob came by on his way to a meeting with his camera:
Want some coffee?
I found out this week that my one shift is the ever-relaxing Saturday, 7am-noon, yahoo! we were S-L-O-W this Saturday, so I took that opportunity to knit on my first real sock:
Hi, I'm Carrie's first real sock. Aren't I cute?
I used Bernat Denim Style and size 8s because I'm scared of tiny DPNs. I'm working on that fear, I promise. But this was my first one, so I had to ease into it.
So, the final result looked like this:
Hi, I'm done now. My cuff is a little wonky, but overall I fit very well. Woot!
I used Wendy's Generic Toe Up Sock Pattern: (pattern found here) and it was very clear and easy to follow. I made a few beginner mistakes, including some slight laddering between my dpns and some holiness at the short row wraps. I also had some problems casting off too tightly and NOT being able to fit the sock over my foot (Jacob thought it was hilarious when I was announcing, dramatically, My Very First Finished Sock! and then I couldn't get it on ...grr....he laughed so much.)
But I started sock #2 last night, and after completing the toe I noticed NO holes and NO ladders...yay, practice makes perfect. I *heart* socks. (That is, I *heart* socks that knit up really fast using size 8 dpns and kinda chunky yarn. I'll let you know after I knit one using size 1 dpns and sock yarn if I still *heart* socks.)
I'm glad you liked the boob holder! I wore it to play the piano on Sunday and it was so comfy and cute. YAY.
I haven't been even looking at Polka Purl Dots after the sad realization (graciously pointed out by Laura at Cosmic Pluto Knits before I got too far, thank you) that I have been doing the side seams wrong and I will need to rework them before going on. I think I'm going to attempt to fix it with a crochet hook because I REFUSE to pull out that much knitting in silky Svale. Nope, can't do it. I'd been putting that off, until a lovely reader named Emily posted a link to her own PPD in her photo gallery. Man, it's beautiful. I really want to finish mine now! Thanks to Emily for the inspiration. (and if you want to check it out, her link is in the comments to the August 13 entry...)
So, deep breath, crochet hook in hand, and I will repair my little side seams. *sigh*. Such is the life of a not-so-experienced and impatient knitter.
So many things I want to knit right now...I picked up the last two issues of Interweave Knits at Borders last night, mostly for some pretty pretty tanks in the Summer issue and the flower basket shawl in the Fall issue. I've been wanting to do a shawl for awhile, and my aforementioned fear** of tiny dpns has prevented me from doing some lace. But the flower basket shawl uses size 7s, I believe, and that's okay with me. Sharlyn finished an absolutely gorgeous shawl and I'm hoping mine will turn out just as well.
Have a great day!
**(Look, I know this whole needle fear is irrational, and I'm working on it. Okay? I promise. I'm going to do some intensive exposure-response therapy once I get some sock yarn. And I can talk about exposure response therapy because I've done it before for anxiety in other realms of my life!!)
Comments (25)
How old is this post?
Posted by girls sexy busty | November 12, 2004 5:23 PM
Great job on your first pair of socks! I've never done the toe up version. I'm going to have to try Weny's pattern! :) I love DPN's.
Posted by Eilene | August 18, 2004 12:10 PM
First of all dearest Carrie...that Breastfest shirt has just catapulted you even higher into my "Golly I wish she wasn't all the way down there, I totally dig her" knitting buddy list. I dig that shirt! That would make my morning if you were serving me a cup o java.
Everyone is doing shawls and socks...the two things I have a hankerin for...Your sock looks very comfy and cute...I love low cuffed socks...my mom used to call them "scuffers" cause I would scuffle about the house trying to shock people with static electricity!
*zap* eow!
Do they have 12 step for needle fear?
Posted by Heather | August 18, 2004 9:08 AM
Thanks for the shout-out! Don't fret on PPD. Remember that you don't have sleeves to knit, and you are making the front and back at the same time, AND that the rows are getting shorter as you go. So you are actually farther than you think! I'll keep tracking your progress here... the crochet hook is the way to go. I believe frogging is only a last resort and avoid it at all costs!
Posted by emily | August 18, 2004 1:40 AM
Awesome job on the sock - it's quite an accomplishment to tackle the sock terrain... I've made one pair and still get compliments - I'm so proud to say I made them. *sniffle* Anyhoo, I've got some non-frightening Brittany dpn's with your name on them - email me! If all else fails, you can always convert them to toothpicks, right??!! ;)
Posted by Rhonda | August 17, 2004 7:04 PM
I *love* the picture of you in the coffee shop. Man, are you going to get hit on big time, by all the emo boys in for their cappuchino fix. And you shall know them by their black plastic rimmed glasses and ironic t-shirts and/or buttons.
Love the sock, too. Good for you! Go with the really fun self-striping yarn for your first sock on tiny needles, because that you'll have some motivation to help you!
Posted by Em | August 17, 2004 6:34 PM
wow, you go with those socks. i'm still trying to get up the nerve to work those. lookin' good!
Posted by froggy | August 17, 2004 4:42 PM
Did you change your hair while I was gone? Love the little sweater thingy you knitted. I'd order a coffee from that cute lady behind the counter! :)
Posted by Teresa | August 17, 2004 4:09 PM
Geez, where have I been? I haven't even seen your cute new hairdo! Very nice!
Posted by Mariko | August 17, 2004 2:56 PM
Since I have been away for awhile I thought I would do an omnibus comment. One, your hair is super, super cute! Wow. Boob holder? Awesome. American Idol: Good luck. Did you hear that Gene Simmons of KISS is going to be a judge possibly in the first round? Lastly, socks . . . I made one pair for my boy in worsted weight socks, but I have a few skeins of Koigu calling out to me. You have inspired me.
Posted by Nicole | August 17, 2004 2:02 PM
I *heart* socks too - right now. I refuse to do them on DPNs though (and I know that Wendy and Carol will be pointing at me and laughing when I next see them... probably I'll hear the term "pansy" thrown around too, lol) and will only do them on circs. :) That's how I got over my fear of small needles... plus the sock yarns are sooooo lovely! (I do have a lot of respect for those who do them on incredibly tiny DPNs!!) Your sock is wonderful and looks v.v. warm - and that's all that counts, right? :)
Posted by Holly | August 17, 2004 11:10 AM
Yea...you did it! I am one of those that is all about doing my socks on two circs also. I did Wendy's toe up on my circs. and it worked great. Also, you can throw them in your bag and never worry about the socks coming of the needles (or a bamboo dpn breaking). Other good stuff...your increases/decreases are in better positions on the needles, you have less opps for ladders, your heel flap is already on one needle. Certainly everyone has their favorites, mine was definitely decided on because of my love for addi needles...I don't like knitting with anything else. It's pretty easy in concept to just change over, but if you need some help, let me know.
Posted by Shelley | August 17, 2004 10:38 AM
Beautiful sock! I, too, am afraid of small dpn's, so I do socks on two circ's. After reading the other comments, I have come to realize that those who learn to knit socks on dpn's hate using circ's, and those who learn to knit socks on circ's hate doing them on dpn's. If you choose to circ's, I wrote a super easy pattern for a basic sock on two circ's that I'd be willing to forward your way! Congrats on your first socks!!
Posted by Caryn | August 17, 2004 10:15 AM
Fab sock, m'dear! Glad my pattern worked for you! I love knitting socks on dpns, btw -- don't like doing them on circs.
Posted by Wendy | August 17, 2004 7:58 AM
The sock looks great but you should definitely try two circular needles (or one long one -- like 40" or so). It's so much easier and faster. (I'm scared of dpns too)
Posted by Lauren | August 17, 2004 12:31 AM
Yay socks! I've only done top down socks so far and I love them! I do have a commitment problem with getting the 2nd mate done. But I am working on Broadripple for my sis on size 1s! Yes, it's like working with wooden skewers! I'm going to try toe up socks next.
Posted by Evelyn | August 16, 2004 10:35 PM
Congrats on your first sock! It was probably smart to figure it out on bigger needles because the bigger yarn will probably hide mistakes better. Maybe I'll bring some socks to New Orleans and we can begin your exposure. :-)
Posted by sarah b. | August 16, 2004 9:37 PM
wow, my first shout-out. awesome.
I SO would not rip out that much work on PPD - thus why I suggested the laddering method. Takes a little time, but well worth it to not have to see a sad pile of yarn...good luck!
Posted by laura | August 16, 2004 7:33 PM
great sock! You could go around inside the cuff with a little elastic and it would do wonders. I love making socks out of bulky yarn (I have my favorite pair in my gallery of finished things).
On the PPD, I'm not sure what happened but don't give up!
Posted by larissa | August 16, 2004 6:43 PM
great sock! You could go around inside the cuff with a little elastic and it would do wonders. I love making socks out of bulky yarn (I have my favorite pair in my gallery of finished things).
On the PPD, I'm not sure what happened but don't give up!
Posted by larissa | August 16, 2004 6:41 PM
Congratulations on your first sock!! After my first sock was finished I was addicted ... socks are the perfect small project to take with you. You never know when you're going to have time to knit! Make the leap to smaller DPNs ... then your foot will actually fit into your shoe when you wear your handknit socks. ;)
Posted by Christy | August 16, 2004 5:50 PM
Ooh I love your sock. Can't wait to see it/them in person! Thanks for the pattern link. I bookmarked it...on account of I couldn't figure out how to print it out.
But no thanks for the Mr. Q. reference. I, like Casey, now have that damn song in my head. I think the cd is in my car. I'll have to listen to it tonight :)
PS For the love of anykind of sanity DO NOT undo your polka purl dots! It will physically hurt me if you do it, so I can't imagine how you would feel.
Posted by Anne Marie | August 16, 2004 5:11 PM
Thanks a lot. Now I've got Quintron's "Underwater Dance Club" stuck in my head. Underwater...Dance club. ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah Underwater Dance Club.... Sadly there isn't a sample of the song on Mr. Quintron and Miss Pussycat's web site. (PS - their site looks a little porny even though it isn't. Watch out if you are wasting time at work. http://www.quintronandmisspussycat.com)
Posted by Casey | August 16, 2004 4:51 PM
I am a little afraid of the small dpns too (really just dpns altogether) which I realize is totally irrational as well. Anyway, your socks really look good. Do you like the Bernat Denim Style? I just bought 7 skeins to make a sweater for my husband... and I want to make sure it is nice! :)
Posted by Lauren | August 16, 2004 4:15 PM
Love the picture of you in the coffee shop- Sounds like it is a way better job than the last one.. you get to knit! :)
I actually have never done socks- I just can't see spending good knitting time on something you put on your *feet*. I know, I am probably going to get yelled at for that one! Socks have a big following, I know.
...not that yours aren't adorable! and those self-patterning yarns are pretty cool.
Posted by frecklegirl | August 16, 2004 4:14 PM