Fool Me Once....

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.....

Comments

[Brenda]

Been there. Done that.

In the words of Scarlett O'Hara, "Tomorrow is another day."

Good luck!!

[jody]

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 :)

[Jessica]

Oh man. At least the yarn appears to be holding up. That's always a good thing.

[tiennie]

That is dang persistence! Wow. Can't wait to see attempt #6.

[Carol]

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.

[Jean]

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.

[knittingphilistine]

Hrm. Darned troublesome sock! I'd have given up on the second try. Patient I am not.

[Ariel]

Such persistence. The yarn looks worth the extra dedication, tho - can't wait to see how number 6 turns out!

[Tanya]

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??!!??

[Nora]

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?

[anne]

wow, that purple IS luscious; really deep and good.