« Sockumcision | Main | Front Door »
February 21, 2006
Fun?
You'd think that after a long weekend, I'd have lots of knitting to show you. But, I don't. Mostly because I had to reknit the toe on the Tech Guy sock three more times between Friday and Saturday. The first time the short rows looked great, but it was still too long. Some might think I didn't learn my lesson from the first time, but I think Travis' foot was shrinking just to screw with me. The second time I may have over compensated just a tad because it was too short (yes, I know - clearly I have yet to master the art of the tape measure). And the third time if fit. Praise the knitting gods, do a happy dance, and have a stiff drink! So, I give you one completed Tech Guy Sock.
Despite my very strong desire to throw the ball of yarn out of a car window while cruising down the road at 65 mph, I didn't. Instead, I cast on for the second sock. I can't very well let a stupid sock get the best of me, so onward we go and I can only hope that the lessons I learned on sock #1 will stick in my little brain so sock #2 can go much smoother.
Yesterday morning, in an attempt to distract myself from Tech Guy Sock #2, I decided to wind my Lorna's Laces and swatch for the Chalet Socks. You'd think that with a ball winder and swift, this would be a quick and painless process. Clearly, I have angered the knitting gods.
I mean, they're pissed.
I lost about 3 hours of my life untangling that holey mess, but eventually I won (although I had to hide the scissors because I was tempted to just start chopping things up). I swatched.
And, I. GOT. GAUGE. 7 1/2 stitches per inch on US #1s. Woo Hoo. Sockapaloooza, here I come.
Comments
It sounds like you had a very trying weekend. But you triumphed! Glad that Tech Guy Sock #1 has been fully fixed. I'm willing to bet that #2 will fly by. I'm very, very impressed that you devoted three hours to untangling the Lorna's Laces! Talk about dedication. Yay for getting gauge on your first attempt!
Posted by: caitlyn at February 21, 2006 9:03 AM
You have sacrificed enough time to the knitting goddess that she should leave you alone for awhile. The second sock will grow smoothly. Keep breathing and enjoy the process.
Posted by: margene at February 21, 2006 9:16 AM
So it was a GOOD weekend - you conquered all your knitting obstacles. Glass half-full right?
Posted by: PumpkinMama at February 21, 2006 9:20 AM
Gawd, I hate it when that happens.......and it seems to happen with some frequency in my little neck of the world...
Great tech socks!
Posted by: christine at February 21, 2006 9:27 AM
I thought it had been awfully quiet around here! I'm glad you finally beat that sock into submission. Looks like you (maybe) will have better luck with your sockapoloooza sock -- what pattern are you using? The yarn is beautiful... I love the subtle variegations.
Posted by: Zarah at February 21, 2006 9:31 AM
Oh those gods can be evil now can't they. The sock looks great though, Travis will love them.
Let's hope for a better week this week.
Posted by: Rebekah at February 21, 2006 9:51 AM
The second sock would be like a breeze! It usually does.
The colour you chose for your sock pal is beautiful ... love Lorna's Lace!
Posted by: Agnes at February 21, 2006 10:59 AM
I had this same tangle problem with Lorna's Laces worsted. It took 3 people and the entire living room to de-tangle that mess. I was hoping it was a random problem - - - but now you have given me pause. Is this what I should expect from Lorna??
Posted by: Sheryl at February 21, 2006 11:03 AM
I'm glad the Tech Sock is now perfect! Too bad for that tangled mess. I was wrangling with tangled yarn on the swift/ball winder the other week too. Such a waste of time. If only yarn would behave itself like it's supposed to.
Posted by: Angela at February 21, 2006 11:32 AM
I know the toe was a bitch, with reknitting it three times (!), but that tech guy sock looks fabulous!
Posted by: grumperina at February 21, 2006 12:02 PM
Woo hoo! That is one tough sock! I feel for you with the yarn vomit, too. I have had that happen twice...once with some VERY expensive rayon boucle that just dissolved in a mass of tangles that took me THREE EIGHT-HOUR days to untangle. And I did end up cutting at least once. The other was some of Nancy Bush's sock yarn at SOAR...and that took three of us the better part of an hour. Aurgggggghhhh!
Posted by: Marcia at February 21, 2006 12:52 PM
Your finished tech guy sock looks great, but that Lorna's tangle looks like it would have been really frustrating! Glad you have it straightened out, new socks looking good.
Posted by: Areli at February 21, 2006 1:14 PM
I so sympathize re that tangled yarn. I once made a mess of some cotton chenille...ugh, the memory makes me want a stiff drink. But hey! You got gauge, so there's your reward :-)
Posted by: Becky at February 21, 2006 2:43 PM
You have more patience than the average knitter. I would've cut the tangled stuff! But, getting gauge is definitely something to be celebrated. Yay! Tech sock #1, done, whew.
Posted by: Lynette at February 21, 2006 3:03 PM
I have had tangles like that before. Why do those challenges jump in when we want to knit instead! I worked on a sock all weekend too. I am a few rows short of being done. Hopefully it will fit and I'll get it done pretty quickly. Glad you conquered all the yarn obstacles. Nice sock too!
Posted by: Stephanie at February 21, 2006 3:25 PM
As always, it is a relief to see that other knitters experience the same frustrations as I do! Good job. :)
Posted by: Leslie at February 21, 2006 6:16 PM
yay, glad to see you got gauge! I have had lots of issues over the last 6 months or so with sock yarn not wanting to be wound.. Scott has made it his duty to help when those occassions arive, so lucky me :) I can't wait to see more on the sock nevertheless.. oh, and did you ever get the WY Cowboy yarn? Just wanted to see since I sent it out... a week and a half ago :)
Posted by: Dani at February 21, 2006 8:14 PM
evil tangly yarn! it's absolutely gorgeous, though, so i hope you forgive it.
Posted by: kris at February 22, 2006 2:54 AM
Tech Guy sock #1 looks great! I'm with you on the yarn front. I don't know what it is, but sometimes even with the right tools balling yarn can be a *HUGE* exercise in patience! Job well done!
Posted by: Kristi at February 22, 2006 12:30 PM
I feel your pain, this week alone I've had to untangle two hanks of silk. It got pretty ugly and a niddy-noddy had to be whipped out. I'm glad you survived it!
Posted by: yahaira at February 23, 2006 1:01 PM
