welcome to my sock inferno

Once upon a time, I really enjoyed knitting socks. I used to crank them out–all kinds of kooky colors and patterns, fun fur trim before people even thought about novelty yarns. Now, though, I totally suck at knitting socks!

dead sock.JPG
I don’t know what it is. There are so many great sock yarns out now, yet I just can’t seem to finish a pair of socks. I start and restart because I mess up or the socks look too small or too big. Also, I just can’t seem to get a nice, tight weave. My socks are rather holey, with uneven stitches. One needle size will seem too big, but if I switch to a smaller size, they seem too small! Any tricks or words of wisdom out there? PLEASE MAKE THE SOCK MAGIC HAPPEN!

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17 Responses to welcome to my sock inferno

  1. carolyn says:

    that is one sad sorry box of rumply yarn. but it’s PINK. 🙂

  2. Kathy says:

    You need to start knitting gloves 😉

  3. Gina says:

    Maybe use two circulars or the magic loop method to get your sock mojo flowing?

  4. ALice says:

    Are you sure you’re not pregnant? cos that’s what it did to me… 😉
    Knit baby socks!
    Take care
    ALice

  5. I love knitting socks on one circular. It goes so much faster. Once I got the hang of it, I totally had my mojo back.

  6. Elabeth says:

    Toe UP Socks.
    For real..you can try them on as you go so you know they’ll always fit. It’s fabulous.
    This is the best sock method ever.

  7. Heather says:

    Just hang in there. That happened on the second sock of my first pair ever. The first one went without any problems. The second drove me insane. I put it down for a little while and worked on something else until the unfinished sock yelled at me to finish it. Call it a sock time-out. Good luck!!!

  8. J Strizzy says:

    Nice pink! I’d suggest circs? I not only knit faster on circs than on dpns (and get on a good roll), but my stitches are a lot more even and nice-looking.

  9. Rachel says:

    There *is* such a thing as Sock Mojo, and I lost mine for a few weeks. But I worked hard at getting it back before I gave up all together. Didn’t do anything special, just kept knitting, ripping, knitting, ripping. Rinse, repeat. Suddenly, I was back in business. Here’s hoping you find your Sock Mojo. Does Hallmark make a card for that?

  10. Mariko says:

    I found that I enjoyed knitting them alot more once I switched to knitting them from the toe-up. I can pretty much guess the right needles for most yarns and then I just increase until the sock feels right. Starting at the cuff always seems to be such a huge commitment to the gauge and needles – when can you decide that the sock is okay or not?
    The only thing I miss is the top down heel that I used to use. I know there are some techniques for replicating it when knitting toe-up I just haven’t looked them up yet!

  11. amanda says:

    I hear ya. I’ve had a serious sock-completion problem for the past year or so. I just started (another) pair, but am trying the Toe Up method…who knows, it might work! I hope you find your sock mojo soon too!

  12. Wanda says:

    Hmm sorry, I don’t have any suggestions for that, especially since you’re doing toe-up. I like my top-down method and it works for me. So, hmm . . . Hope you get the sock knitting mojo back soon though.

  13. Stella says:

    Sometimes socks can’t be perfect. I like mine to fit & feel one certain, perfect way, but when I experiment with different yarns & needles, I can’t always achieve that. So remember your own perfect sock recipe and stick to it for your own socks, and when you experiment, you are making gifts for other people!

  14. Kay says:

    Step away from the socks! It’s just a bad karmic situation. Who knows what brought it on, but it will pass. Knit something else and make the sock yarn jealous, and maybe it will behave next time. xox Kay

  15. elizabeth says:

    I’ve heard that you should knit the socks with a smaller size needle than normal to give the socks a nice tight fabric. So if you’re in between needles, maybe go with the smaller needle?
    I use Wendy’s (& Rachel’s) suggestion. measure the widest part of the foot. Calculate the number of stitches you’ll need & then deduct 10%. And then there is my back up, which is using a ribbing type lace pattern which is very forgiving if you mess up on the gauge. I’ve used this lace pattern before. (not the two socks on one circ though… that just sounds intimidating!) http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTstraightlaced.html

  16. Did you always use bamboo or wood dpns? I don’t find bamboo or wood to be smooth enough to knit well for me. I use Bryspun Flexible dpns. But as it looks like you’re using fingering wt sock yarn (I always make thicker socks) consider trying Addi Turbo circulars in the 2 ckn or 1 long ckn method, or even metal Inox dpns. A smooth slick needle will make it easier to get an even gauge and snugger sts.
    Also with fingering wt yarn, I suggest *aiming for* 9 sts/1″. 8 sts/1″ is ok, but 7 (as is recommended on the yarn ball bands) is far too loose for socks – good for sweaters, but socks need tighter gauegs for comfort and good wear. I knit DK wt wool yarn at 7 sts/1″ for socks.
    HTH some!

  17. Laura says:

    Pretty color of sock yarn!
    Okay, haven’t you heard anything about making sacrificial yarn offerings to the Sock Knitting Goddess? Email me and I’ll give you her address. She’ll fix yer sock mojo right up. 🙂

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