I skeined up the Collinette Jitterbug yarn the same day that I bought it. I had to knit socks out of that luscious purple yarn. I chose the Child's Sock pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. I tried it on when I was two repeats in (attempt #1), and I was worried that it was slightly too big. With all my sock knitting experience, I decided this wasn't good enough. I know how to make my socks fit. I would do better.
I tried it with 7 repeats around, instead of 8 (attempt #2). This was way too small. OK. Since the first time I had 64 stitches and the second time I had 56 stitches, I decided I needed something in between. I went to my Favorite Socks book, and found the Embossed Leaves socks. This was also 64 stitches, but I could remove one of the purl stitches on each needle and have the pattern work out well. I cast on 60 stitches and got started on the ribbing (attempt #3). I decided to do the regular k1 p1 ribbing instead of the twitsted stitch ribbing that was recommended. After a few rows in, I could see that this clearly was not going to work. The sock was way too small.
Swallowing my pride, I cast on 64 stitches to try again (attempt #4). I decided to also do the recommended ribbing, and bravely got started. I realized on the third round that I had read the first round wrong. Instead of k1 (k1 tbl, s1) repeat, I did (k1, k1 tbl, s1) repeat. This would not work. I tore this out, and started again (attempt #5). I decided to go *back* to regular k1, p1 ribbing. This time the ribbing looked great, and it fit over my foot easily. I did 2.5 repeats of the pattern before the heel (one repeat less than the pattern) because the yardage isn't so great in the Jitterbug yarn. I turned the heel, and it was beautiful. I realized that I hadn't tried on my sock in awhile.
It didn't fit.
This lace pattern isn't nearly as stretchy as Child's First Sock. And oh, the book recommended size 2 needles, and I was using size 1. I hadn't noticed that before.
The sock is now ripped back to the cuff. I'm not yet certain when attempt #6 will begin in earnest. I'm thinking about the Child's First Sock pattern over 64 stitches.....
Been there. Done that.
In the words of Scarlett O'Hara, "Tomorrow is another day."
Good luck!!
Posted by: Brenda | March 31, 2007 at 12:44 AM
you have more fortitude than i. that yarn i'm knitting the sideways socks in was started in august, and i just got around to trying to work with it again this month. i like your approach better -- get the bad stuff done and out of the way.
that is a really pretty shade of purple though :)
Posted by: jody | March 31, 2007 at 07:43 AM
Oh man. At least the yarn appears to be holding up. That's always a good thing.
Posted by: Jessica | March 31, 2007 at 09:09 AM
That is dang persistence! Wow. Can't wait to see attempt #6.
Posted by: tiennie | March 31, 2007 at 11:16 AM
All that to wind up doing what you did the first time. Wish I could make that many attempts so fast! Good luck, I know I'll see a gorgeous sock very soon.
Posted by: Carol | March 31, 2007 at 05:46 PM
Maybe you're just distracted by the sparkly, new addition on your left hand? Which is totally reasonable, btw. Good for you for hanging in there.
Posted by: Jean | March 31, 2007 at 08:29 PM
Hrm. Darned troublesome sock! I'd have given up on the second try. Patient I am not.
Posted by: knittingphilistine | April 01, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Such persistence. The yarn looks worth the extra dedication, tho - can't wait to see how number 6 turns out!
Posted by: Ariel | April 01, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Ugh! I had a comment all typed out and the internets ate it!!
Anyway, in general it said that I know what you are going through (currently going through it with new sock).
6th time is the charm, right??!!??
Posted by: Tanya | April 02, 2007 at 09:35 AM
I'm laughing so hard the laptop almost slipped out of my lap!
I love the dark yarn your using. What if you kept the suggested # of sts but changed needle size?
Posted by: Nora | April 03, 2007 at 02:29 AM
wow, that purple IS luscious; really deep and good.
Posted by: anne | April 06, 2007 at 10:28 AM