Utter Frustration

[neotoma]

I am at the moment making myself a pair of Ravenclaw socks -- blue with bronze (brown iris mix) beads. The pattern I'm using is Beaded Swirl -- and I'm ready to tear my hair out.

Having just tried this sock on, I find that it's too tight to get over my heel without a struggle and too short in the leg (only 5 inches -- not enough for a winter sock!). This is the fourth pattern I've used from HeartStringFibers, and it's the second one where the sizing was off that much. Normally, I do fine with 64 stitches at 8 st/in, even though I've got large feet. This pattern has some biased knitting for shaping the swirls over 68 st, but it seems to be designed for *small* feet with no warning in the pattern itself.

I'm going to have to rip it out and redo it -- I'll be very unhappy if I have to go up a needle size for the entire leg, but it looks that way. Either that, or add four stitches in the ribbing. I'm also going to have to lengthen the sock -- I really dislike short socks -- so I'll have to add more beads to each ball of yarn.

I am very very put out. Maybe I should go start the Regia Norwerger socks -- the pattern always works and I never wind up tearing my hair over it.

Comments

[wyomingnot.livejournal.com]

Not entirely off-topic...

Would you happen to have any sock pattern recommendations (or recommendations in general) for someone who has never knit socks before?

I've done oodles of scarves. I can do cables. And can manage double pointed needles.

Please?

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

I generally use one of two Inspiration booklets (http://www.theknitter.com/inno32.html) I have on sock knitting. This is for Regia sock yarn, which comes in 3-, 4-, 6- and 8-ply, and is either solid or self-patterning. The booklets are great because they have a basic pattern chart for sizes from tiny to quite large, and fairly comprehensible directions. One booklet has a lot of cabled patterns, which you'll love even if you don't want to try them first thing.

If you want to move beyond scarves but still keep to small projects, Ann Budd's The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes & Gauges (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1931499047/qid=1107543529/sr=8-2/ref=pd_ka_2/102-7700320-0978518?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) is an utter godsend. There are directions for socks, caps, tams, mittens, gloves, vests, and even sweaters. All you need to use the charts is the recipient's measurements and a gauge swatch.

The hands down neatest book, though, is Socks, Socks, Socks (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0964639157/qid=1107544000/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/102-7700320-0978518?v=glance&s=books), the winning 70 entries in a Knitters pattern competition. The first pattern is a baby sock to get you started on concepts like 'turning the heel', there are a lot inspirational pictures, and the socks range from easy to adventurous (the Debbie New socks on the cover are *far* into the adventurous range, btw).

[wyomingnot.livejournal.com]

*bounces* Thank you! A veritable treasure trove of resource...

Yay!

*toddles off to shop*

[zoepaleologa.livejournal.com]

That's a beautiful pattern. Just gorgeous.