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February 27, 2006
Socks
I finished the Tech Guy Socks on Friday night. Well, it was actually early Saturday morning (somewhere around 1 am) when I finally grafted the toe, but finished they are. Travis wore them on Saturday and since he left for work at about 6:30 there were no modeled pictures. But here they are fresh from their first wash.
Project Details:
Pattern: TechGuy Socks
Yarn: Tongue River Farm Sock Yarn
Needles: Addi Turbos size 3 - my first attempt at socks with the 2 circular method. I like it. I like it a lot. I don't know that I'll completely give up dpns, but I see some benefit to the whole circular needle thing.
Modifications/Thoughts: I made the leg 9 1/2 inches rather than 7 or 8 as specified in the pattern. I used a size 3, rather than a size 4 needle, and I subbed a wrapped short-row heel and toe for the yarn over short-row method.
I don't think I like this yarn. It's very hairy and is a lot different from "normal" sock yarn. I don't really know how to describe it (and I don't have a good picture, of course), but this is my best shot - the yarn is a 2-ply, but each ply is very loosly spun (almost not at all), which makes it less than ideal to work with. It's kind of scatchy - in fact, Travis said it was scratchy, which isn't good because he really does wear wool socks on a regular basis (not handknit, but thick wool socks still). And he said they stretched out over the course of the day and by the end of the day weren't staying up. Not good. And look at the sole after one wearing and washing (in the sink in cool water)
Looks felted to me, although doesn't appear to have shrunk. What do you think? So, all in all a good pattern, but next time I make Travis socks I'll use fingering weight and go for a softer yarn.
Next up: Sockapaloooza! I cast-on and will hope any gauge issues work themselves out (yes my friends, that is denial). If I have to rip it, so be it, but I might as well get started and see how things shake out.
Still waiting for needles for Butterfly and I started a little something else - more on that tomorrow.
Comments
Great job! I am about to attempt my first socks-on-two-circulars. Any tips? :)
Posted by: Leslie at February 27, 2006 12:17 PM
lovely socks! I love the colour for your sock pal!
Posted by: Carolyn at February 27, 2006 12:23 PM
Congratulations on getting through those socks. Bummer that the yarn isn't up to standards.
Yay for the Chalet Socks!
Posted by: Purly Whites at February 27, 2006 12:25 PM
oh those look cute! I'm trying to make up a cabled pattern because I can't seem to find any that look the way I want.
Posted by: pixie at February 27, 2006 12:39 PM
That sucks about the yarn. But maybe the felted is good, right? Keeps the wind out... or something?
Posted by: Angela at February 27, 2006 3:10 PM
The socks look great for hubby! Hey little hint, when you wash them, put a little hair conditioner in the rinse, and they'll soften up. Hopefully that will help his feet not be itchy.
Love the blue socks too.
Posted by: Rebekah at February 27, 2006 3:18 PM
They look good from here. What a bummer they aren't holding up well.
Posted by: PumpkinMama at February 27, 2006 4:39 PM
I think the socks look fab! I hope they do hold up over time.. maybe for his next pair, try Artyarns supermerino. I can send you some if you want! Its worsted weight, super soft, superwash... and Scott has worn his lots without any problems :)
Posted by: Dani at February 27, 2006 5:34 PM
Argh! That sucks that the socks aren't wearing well. Maybe they will fuzz up a little then reach a plateau.
Posted by: Zarah at February 27, 2006 7:47 PM
The socks look great. I haven't done 2 circs, but have used dpns. There's just so much potential for a needle to pull out with dpns. Makes me nervous. I use the magic loop method...just one long circular needle. I think it's easier, but I'm by no means an expert.
Posted by: Jocele at February 27, 2006 10:20 PM
Here's some advice from a socknitter-to-picky-husband:
If Travis is already wearing wool socks everyday that he likes, do your best to match them in a handknit version. Fingering weight socks may be too light -- try a sport-weight to see that that matches up better with the socks he already likes. I'd recommend something like this:
http://www.theknitter.com/yarn-regia-sport-weight.html
Icelandic yarn is scratchy - no doubt about it -- next time I'd go with an actual sock yarn. Wool yarn without nylon will wear through faster, and superwash seems like a fabulous idea for everyday socks. Merino without nylon will not hold up very long.
Knit them smaller than you think because they WILL stretch out during wear. I'm a loose knitter and for my husband's size 10 feet I cast on 64 stitches.
That's all I can think of. Good luck!
Posted by: claudia at February 28, 2006 7:29 AM
The tech guy socks look great. I suspect the felting there on the sole was probably more from the wear since you said it hasn't really shrunk. That would definitely be likely to happen when the plies of the wool are spun loose. I think DH's socks that hold up best have a little nylon in them (much to his chagrin as he is a natural fiber kind of guy).
I love the beginnings of your sockapaloooza sock too! I can't wait to see it take shape.
Posted by: Kristi at February 28, 2006 10:21 AM
gorgeous socks. the blue sockpal socks are going to be so lovely!!!
Posted by: blossom at February 28, 2006 10:23 AM
So how does Travis like the socks now that he's worn them a bit? I'm nervous about knitting for my SO just because he's so picky.
Posted by: Lynette at February 28, 2006 5:38 PM
How on earth did you ever get the toes on this sock? I have tried 3 times and even had someone else attempt it and still no go. Could you email me?
thanks
Will
Posted by: Will at June 27, 2007 6:49 PM
