Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Let's take it from the top

Or, more correctly, let's take it from the toe...check it out - my first toe up sock!!!
Pretty darn chuffed with myself, I am, on this effort! I was thinking about my SSoS sock goals and realised I'd only done one thing on my list. And toe-up was really the big challenge for me, the thing I was perhaps most, well scared is not the right word, reticent perhaps is better, to try - because I do like my top-down socks - they work for me.
But I snapped myself out of my groove and thought while I'm there, I may as well do them on two circs as well (since I'd bought the circs way back before SSoS started with the intention of trying this method out!).And to cap it off, I used the gorgeous Koigu prize yarn from Jody (who has sadly just suffered a lace shawl tragedy). So 3 sock goals down with the one sock - huzzah!I used Judy's Magic Cast On (I cannot recommend this highly enough - it is fantastic!!) and Wendy's Generic Toe Up sock pattern. My short row heels are by no means perfect, I don't think I picked the wraps up properly, and my cast off is too tight (I can only just get them over my foot...) - but each of these things will be rectified with sock #2.Which is half done already...I'm loving these quick to knit stocking stitch socks!!! And my verdict on the toe up? I'd do it again, for sure (I do love to try them on as I'm knitting, which I did with the first sock about 1000 times), but I do still like my top down. Overall, it's good to have options!

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the great links. I need to try a toe-up sock one of these days. Love the pinky-red stripes.

lilypotter said...

I'm the opposite- I've only done socks toe-up! And since I really like to try them on as I go, that will probably be my usual way of knitting, unless the pattern dictates otherwise of course. Anyway, that's a beautiful sock! Can't wait to see it's match!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your first toe-ups! They look great!! And now you have another technique up your sleeve :)

Bells said...

Oh finally! I can comment! Blogger has not been cooperative today.

Those socks are just so beautiful. I experienced deep sock envy when you showed them to me on the weekend.

I must try this. I really must. And I will. Almost immediately!

amy said...

I feel the same way: it's good to have options. I really love cuff-down. It seems much more intuitive to me. But I'm glad I CAN do a toe-up if it comes right down to it.

Two circs, though, uh-uh. I'm not going there. ;)

Donna Lee said...

Two new methods at once. That is fearless knitting. I have never tried toe up socks nor have I tried the two circs. I love my circular needles but one at a time. I think I'll keep my dpns but I do want to try a toe up. I shy away from patterns that start at my toe. I think I would keep trying them on too!

Lynne said...

Yes, it's good to have options; knitpicks and other kinds!

Seriously, I used to knit cuff down all the time, but with toe up socks I can keep knitting till I run out of yarn [I like longer legs] without worrying if I'm going to have enough!

BTW, your sock is really pretty - I assume it's more pinky red than orange red? I like both, of course!

Sarah said...

Yey! well done you - I am very reticent about this toe up business - I'm all for it in principle but my first attempt has stalled as I'm supposed to be doing the short row heel - I was never this cowardly in trying socks in the first place! I am also going to try the two circs idea - how did you find that compared to DPNS?

Anonymous said...

I am VERY impressed...and inspired. I've been 'meaning to' try the toe-up sock method and the double circs method for ages now and just been too slack. Your socks are lovely. Well done!!

Linda said...

They look great. I have only ever knitted one pair toe up, I tend to prefer top down socks, but as you say its nice to be able to do both!

DrK said...

oh they are just stunning, mmmm koigu. and im very impressed you persisted with the top up, i threw mine away in a tanty :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, MAN! Now I'm the only knitter on the planet who hasn't attempted toe-up! Oh, hang on, there's Shaz[mina] too, I think...

Diane Lovell said...

Wow! They are gorgeous! Thanks for the links!

Alwen said...

Isn't that magic cast on cool? And good for you packing all those sock goals into one sock! Go you!

Diana said...

I've got to try the toes up. As soon as I make a dent in what I have on needles at the moment!
Can't go wrong with Koigu!

Anonymous said...

Knitting toe up is one of my to-do's as well. I'm glad you finally braved it because you did a great job!

roxie said...

Gorgeous! Just gorgeous! Good work.

~Jody said...

OMG they're fantastic!!

MadMad said...

When I saw, a few months ago, that you had that on your resolutions, I thought, you know, I should do that, too, because I never have done toe-up either... so I made it a resolution, but haven't gotten around to it, yet. So good for you for getting to it! Very impressive.

BrownPants said...

You should have a crack at the turkish cast on (in my pants). I ended up using that - love it.

Michelle said...

I'm impressed with anyone who can use their Koigu and give up on it's petting status!

I adore the red in these. And I think you are very clever doing techniques I have no hope of ever understanding!

Ann said...

Congrats on your 1st toe-up. I love the magic cast-on too as I knit all my socks toe-up. But I am still stuck on dpns & must give circulars a try.

Corrie said...

ohhhh I love the colours! so beautiful! I wish I could do socks!

Corrie:)

2paw said...

Oh the sock looks gorgeous.. Palin but not simple and I love the colours in the wool. Well done on meeting a goal!!!

Denise said...

I've done one pair of toe-ups, using that same pattern - wasn't overly thrilled with it, but as you say, it's good to have options! I was REALLY stupid because, unlike you, I DIDN'T try them on as I knit, so one is bigger than the other and doesn't fit well, DUH.

Yours look wonderful, and gorgeous colours - of course!