Friday 13 January 2012

Happy feet

I mentioned a little while ago that this was the year that I was going to try and make myself a pair of socks. Well..........the sock journey has well and truly started!


Quite ironically, the yarn that I am using is called Happy by Wendy, in a lovely Lavender colour. However, I was anything but happy when I cast on the stitches a few days ago. This knitting with more that two needles malarkey is just not as easy as it looks and I got myself into a right old state!

Now, this is not the first time that I have knitted with Double Pointed Needles ~ I made myself a pair of mittens a few years ago, but this time it certainly seemed like it was my very first try. For some reason I just could not get to grips with it at all. I still felt like I was an octopus trying to knit, the DPN's kept trying to disappear up my sleeves at every given opportunity and they kept slipping out of my hands, resulting in dropped stitches and much shouting at said knitting! I have now cast on and ripped up the beginning of the first sock six times. I kid you not! What you see now is my seventh attempt and so far so good!


Apparently that was the easy part, because now the pattern is mentioning heel turns, gussets and toes. I'm starting to have palpitations just thinking about it! Wish me luck as I embark on the next part of my sock journey and I'll hopefully have something that resembles a sock the next time I see you.

I hope that you all have a very lovely weekend too :O)xxx

18 comments:

Inthesky said...

You are going to have very happy feet! They look great so far...go for it!

Janine said...

I found I needed shorter needles and I use the bamboo ones as they don't slip! Good luck. I wear my first pair of socks all the time and am now on my second pair.

Stocki said...

Good luck! I shall be watching as I have never managed a sock yet! :)x

Julie said...

I've always had a sneaky suspicion that they would be difficult (and have always wondered what dpn stood for - now I know!). Good luck with the heel. Juliex

Wanda said...

My first pair were thrown across the room more times than I can remember. I dropped stitches, lost stitches, mistakenly pulled out a needle, time without number. It was only my stubborn nature that made me persevere but I'm glad I did because the sense of achievement was immense and every subsequent pair has been a real pleasure to knit :-)
Keep at it! ;-)

Nicky said...

They are coming along swimmingly and the colour is so pretty! I have only made a couple of pairs of socks so I am no expert, but ... I found magic loop easier for socks. Also the yarn you are using is very slippy, especially on metal dpns, I am sure bamboo would result in less frustrations :)

YarnRoundHook said...

I think knitting with DPNs looks really difficult. I can't imagine how you keep the stitches on the needles! It looks like you're doing well so far.
Have a great weekend!

Jane said...

Yay for sock knitting!!! They are looking lovely :) And don't worry about the heel turning - just follow the pattern, and as if by magic your heel will appear!
Can't wait to see them progress!
Jane x

Sue said...

The sock looks great so far. It does take a bit of getting used to at first, and yes shorter ones are probably easier. Sometimes using wooden needles instead of metal stops the stitches slipping off too. The heel will be easy - if you get stuck you can always ask for help!

Clicky Needles said...

I agree with Janine - shorter needles are easier and bamboo are lovely to use.
They look splendid.
Don't worry, by the time you've finished one sock you'll be hooked into the dark side.

Anonymous said...

yay for you! it gets easier the more you do it, like everything! when I was knitting my first pair of socks, someone commented that the heel turn is where the magic happens and she is so totally right, heel turning is soooo not hard, you will see when you get through your first couple, then you will love the heel turn because it is a bit of a change from round and round and round! I find knitting on DPNs much easier inside out, so I'm knitting around the inside, it means less ladders too, but you just carry on because it looks like you've got the hang of it, have fun! XXXXX

SusieT said...

It's looking good so far. Once you get the hang of it you will be addicted to knitting socks.I struggled with the dpns the first time, it does get easier. Sue

Pink Milk said...

Oh my goodness, that looks complicated!

I've not mastered two needles yet so the thought of any more gives me the heebie jeebies!

Thanks for your lovely comment on my tutorial post - the yarn I used is Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk dk - soooo many gorgeous colours!

Heather x

tammy said...

I envy you. I remember when I knit my first pair of socks. Felt so accomplished!
They are looking lovely. Bamboo needles are good to start with, you don't feel as if you are losing the stitches. Btw, just came across your blog, very nice!

tammy said...

I remember finishing my first pair, felt so accomplished!
They are looking lovely. Bamboo dp's are good to use, you don't feel as if you are losing stitches.
You also have a nice blog.

kelly said...

you're doing really well, it took me a few attempts to get the sock thing! i found i'm better knitting magic loop on one long circular needle, which means you can do two at a time! i love the colour of the sock yarn you chose, look forward to seeing the finished socks,
kellyx

Penny said...

Hi Jacquie
Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog, well done for completing your first sock! It truly is an amazing accomplishment and the heels seem to get easier the more you do..mind you i have only ever knitted 2 socks! I love the colour way of your yarn , it looks calm and collected and I'm sure you will take great pleasure in completing your 2nd one. They are special, they make me feel special every time i catch a glimpse of mine on my twinkle toes xox Can't wait to see them finished and one your feet x Penelope x

Sucrette said...

Lovely socks so far Jacquie! The colors are stunning!
Angie
http://www.lemondedesucrette.com