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On the Needles – September 7, 2012

Grab your Kleenex . . this is a sob story if I’ve ever heard one!  Here’s what’s on my needles at the moment.

At first glance, it probably looks like I’ve made a lot of progress since the picture last week . .

The yarn is Kroy Socks Jacquards by Patons.  This is an inexpensive yarn that I love.  I love wearing it . . it wears so well.  It is 75% washable wool and 25% nylon.  It’s a bit thicker than most of the yarns I use, which is good because it knits up more quickly but . . that’s where I ran into a problem.  Since it’s a bit thicker yarn, I used a bit larger needle.  I originally cast on 60 stitches, which is what I do with thinner yarn and smaller needles.  I got down to the heel and realized that not only were the socks probably too large for Chad but there was a chance I would run out of yarn.  I ripped the whole darned thing out.  Are you crying yet?

I did a bit of research and decided I should cast on 48 stitches.  I did that and got down to the heel and decided they were going to be too small.  Are you boo-hooing like a baby now?  At this point, I seriously thought about just finishing them and having myself a pair of camo socks.  But then I looked online and wasn’t sure I could still get this yarn in this color so again, I ripped it all out and started over.  Stop crying!  People are looking at you funny!  🙂

Then I researched some more, and maybe I said a bad word . . but maybe I just thought it and didn’t really say it . . and that’s a whole lot different from really saying it!

I decided that casting on 56 stitches should work.  And then I said to myself . . Seriously?  What’s the difference in 60 stitches and 56 stitches?  You should have just stuck with the 60 stitches and been done!  Yep, that’s what I think too.

56 stitches . . come rain or shine, too large or too small . . that’s what they’re going to be.  Are you kinda wishing I’d forgotten to do “What’s on the Needles?” today?  🙂



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Comments

  1. OMG that is my story!!!! I have ripped out my second sock so many times! I’m not even careing if it is the same size as the first one! Don’t remember what yarn it is either. I haven’t knitted on them in about 3 weeks. however I started them last yr!!!!! COME ONE get those done!!!!! It’s a challenge….

  2. You have all my sympathy on the ripping out, and my admiration in how much you are able to get done. The socks look lovely in all the sizes that you’ve shown! I’m sure Chad will like them, and if they don’t fit him then Nicole can wear them for him.

  3. Pass the Kleenex, I’m in tears! You could have had that darn sock done already. 3rd time’s a charm.

    I’m thinking I want some of that yarn! But I am not caving…I haven’t bought any sock yarn for over a year. 🙂

  4. Just think of all the extra love that’s in those stitches! Chad will wear them, and they will fit — I just know it!

  5. You probably don’t want to hear about another option at this point, but I’m wondering why you didn’t look on the Patons website for a free sock pattern which might give you an idea of the number of stitches to cast on for the size you want. I have found that the big yarn companies often have free patterns on their website that are not Ravelry.

    • Why didn’t I think of that?  Of course, I did!  But to see their patterns requires you to sign in with a password and email address and I rarely do that because of so much junk mail. I have my plain sock pattern memorized and it’s simply a matter of knowing how many stitches to cast on.  I thought I was fine with 60 stitches and probably was but second guessed my decision.

  6. If you got the yarn at Hobby Lobby I think they guarantee that they can reorder for you if you run out.

  7. If the socks don’t fit you or Chad, send them to me, love the color! 🙂 Just kidding, you’ll finish them and Chad will love them! Sending positive thoughts your way!

  8. ROFLOL – but I do feel your pain! I had about 10″ of my Greta vest done and realized not only had I probably picked the wrong size for the fit I wanted, but I had mistakenly grabbed the needles a size smaller than I had intended. Rip Rip Rip. I also think I’ll probaby runout of yarn (but I always think that) – time will tell and I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it — if I ever do.

  10. Ahhhh….love your stories! I have a scarf that I have crocheted, decided I didn’t like it it and unraveled the stitches as I re-crocheted it. It’s quite funny to look at! But it was easier than unraveling the whole thing. 🙂

  11. Since someone gifted me with some of this yarn in a different color way, I’m glad to know this. While I’m sorry you experienced this problem, I’m glad you posted about it so I can avoid a similar problem. Thank you!

  12. LOL. You crack me up! I don’t know how to knit. I have wanted to learn for a long time and have tried to teach myself several times. My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was little. I think if I had to learn that now I wouldn’t be able to do that either. Thanks for making me smile. 🙂

  15. I feel for you deeply–my most frustrating problem with socks is that after I get one done the way I want it I have to make another just like it! And no one in my family will wear socks with any wool in them so I have to search for yarns that are acrylic/cotton or soy blends. All things considered, I’d rather quilt.

  16. BOO-HOO!!… ripping twice is definitely cause for tears!! I feel your pain. That brand of sock yarn is truly warm. I have one pair knit from them and they are nice. I’ll need to look for some of the camo yarn the next time I am in the Big City. I do love that stuff! My Honey would really appreciate a pair of sock from this!

  17. Hmmm…there must be something in the air. I just ripped out a whole day’s worth of knitting on my shawl and am supposed to be starting on the next clue. Ack!

  18. I use 64 stitches for my socks. Now, I have big feet, but not as big as my husband and I used the same 64 stitches for him after he tried my socks on! And he has size 11 1/2 mens.. I am size 12 womens!

    I find it odd that 60 stitches would be too big for Chad. What size are his feet?

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