If these were the first pair of socks I’d ever made, I’d probably give up and never try again. On July 26, this is how much I had done.
Dad’s Socks
Three months and three days later, this is how much I have done on the same socks.
Dad’s Socks
Something doesn’t seem quite right, does it?
To start with, this sock yarn is rather expensive and not easy to find. It’s Arctic Qivuit, which is the “delicate underwool of the Arctic Musk Ox”. It is supposed to be so very warm, which probably explains why most of the shops that carry it are located in Alaska. The socks I made, assuming I ever get them made, will probably be the only pair in southwest Louisiana or central Texas!
When I heard about this yarn and was able to find it, I ordered one skein of navy to make a pair of socks for my dad, because his feet are always cold, and I ordered a skein of red to make socks for myself.
Once I started making dad’s socks, I was afraid I wasn’t going to have enough yarn, since the skeins are only 375 yards. I usually like to have at least 400 yards when I make socks for a man. I thought I could use larger needles and fewer stitches and that might work but as I began knitting, because I like a tighter weave, I didn’t like how the socks were looking with the larger needles.
At that point I decided I was going to have to fork over the cash and buy a second skein of navy yarn. I searched and found another skein of navy, although I had already been told by Stephanie at Simply Sock Yarn, where I had bought the original skeins, that the dye lots would probably not match and often, between her shipments, the twist/weight of the yarn is a bit different.
Two Skeins
It is obvious that the new skein on the right, is a good bit lighter, more “heathery” than is the original skein.
Two Yarns
It’s also obvious that the new yarn, again on the right, is thinner than the original skein.
My plan is to knit the ribbing and maybe a couple of strips, using the new skein, and then use the new yarn again for the heel and toes. I think that will work ok.
I had wanted to use the tubular cast on and messed it up three times so I said . . forget it . . and used the regular cast on. On the first try, I used a gray for the waste yarn and it was so close in color to the navy, that I was having a hard time discerning the waste from the new yarn. I ripped all that our, and used yellow for the waste yarn. That was fine but I got the bright idea to weave the tail in with the stitches, which after about two inches of ribbing, I realized having the tail woven in greatly diminished the stretch of the ribbing. That wasn’t going to work and I couldn’t pick out the woven tail because with the tubular cast on, it was now in the middle of the “tube”. Being the ever patient knitter that I am NOT, I did it for the third time. I got up, went to do something, and Speck got tangled in my yarn and ripped out about a third of the stitches. I couldn’t get them back on in the correct sequence so I ripped it all out.
This is what I spent about 6 hours doing yesterday and still am not finished with the ribbing! At this rate, does anyone even believe I could get these socks finished before the end of the year?
Kathy Alden says
My daughter works at University of Alaska Fairbanks and they have the muskox farm. I have begged her to go down there and just brush those Oxen and get me some of their wool. She said she loves me but not that much!! Go figure!! I love the feel of the Qivuit yarn. I wanted to purchase a scarf when I lived there but just could not justify the cost! But its so soft and wonderful. Your dad is a lucky man!!
JudyL says
The yarn is heavenly to work with. Just wish it wasn’t so darned expensive . . I’d be buying more of it.
Joanie says
Have you tried making the socks toes up and with magic loop two at a time. Then when you thought you where going to run out of yarn you would be on the cuffs and could bind them off. Just have a shorter cuff but not a shortage of yarn
Joanie says
Have you tried making them socks toes up. You would have enough yarn but the cuffs would be shorter. If you need any help just yell.
JudyL says
I have tried that method but didn’t want shorter cuffs. I wanted these socks to be longer rather than shorter and the yardage just wasn’t there.
Joanie says
You could make the toe and the heel in a different co.lor. Something that would compliment the navy
JudyL says
I would still want to use the same yarn due to the content so no matter what color I used, it was going to require buying another skein of the yarn.
Theresa says
I can sympathize. I’m on the third try with some lovely, soft marled wool I got at the Wool and Sheep Festival in Maryland this spring– I’m trying to make a beret, and it’s my first use of circular needles.
My hands and feet were always cold until I started taking iodine supplements.
Viki Kirby says
I really feel your pain. I bought one little skein of that yarn while in Alaska this summer – $98, enough for a sock hat or small scarf. Then I found the native store where I could buy a finished hat for , you guessed it, $98 and it was done with by a native in her clan’s design.
Carolyn says
that sounds like the way I always knit… ripp and re knit.
Lynne in Hawaii says
Sometimes you have to ‘step away from the needles and no one will get hurt’! Go do garden or sewing for a little bit and them come back to it. I have to do this all the time when sewing…cuz when things are off, it does not go well. Stepping away is better than beating my head against the wall:-)
JudyL says
We’re all different. I never beat my head against the wall but I also rarely walk away from a project that isn’t working, even temporarily. If it’s not going smoothly, I can hardly put it down til I get it right.
Sharon in Michigan says
Did you say….finish by the end of year 2014? ha,ha Thought I’d live you a little extra time – no pressure. Happy knitting.
Penny says
Sometimes I when I get frustrated or discouraged I need the encouragement of your wonderful “stick to it” attitude that I often find when reading your blog. Not only do you have such a fun writing style and interesting subjects you do have such a positive outlook on everything! So I know that one morning soon I’m going to read your blog to start my day and there will be a picture of the completed socks! You go girl!!
Penny in So Cal
Susan says
I have complete faith in you, Judy. Your dad will wear those socks THIS winter! I just know it. =) You were just warming up, and now you are set to go!