Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Mitten Toes!

Another pair of socks finished!

These are in Trekking XXL (color 71). Guage 10st/inch. CO 70 st. to Addi Turbo #0's (2 circs-one sock on each pair of needles). The cuff and lacy leg pattern is from Crazy Toes & Heels Book, p. 64. (Yarn overs and K2tog/SSK in the knit part of the ribbing on row 3 of a 4 row pattern.) The heel flap is the Eye of Partridge with the slipped stitches slipped as if to knit. It is hard to *see* the pattern with the dark yarn but I like the feel of the fabric. I continued the lace pattern down the instep...however lacy #0 needles with sock yarn can be. You can sort of see my skin through the teeny holes.

Then I started on the toes. Let's just say I'm not afraid of ripping out and/or tinking many rows to experiment with new techniques. I wanted to try making mitten toes since such a pair has been requested for dd#3 and I'd rather experiment with my own socks/toes first. I eventually ended up taking off 10 st. on each needle to save for the big toe. I cast on 10 st in between the big toe and second toe and knit around decreasing only on the pinky toe side until almost done. I kept track of rows and continued to try them on just about every other row to get them the right length. Kitchenered off. Then back to the big toe. Put the 10 st back on 2 circs and picked up 14 st between the toes...seemed like a good number to avoid holes. Did some decreasing at the top of the big toe and kitchenered off. Ditto for the left foot...except I found out my left foot is bigger by a few rows.

I'd say they are pretty comfy and fun to wear! And I'd be willing to knit them again...second and third time should be easier, right?

5 comments:

Marie N. said...

What a great experiment! I just got around to working on some of the lace dish cloths you inspired me to try. I'm enjoying that project very much. Plus it is small and portable- great for using up layover time in airports. I called and learned my bamboo dpns and small scissors are permitted in my carry-on luggage.

Mutti said...

What's the difference between crochet and knitting?

Lotzastitches said...

Hi Mutti,

Crochet uses one hook and you only have one live loop.

Knitting uses two needles and you have many live loops on the needles depending on the size of the project. Some of the trendy scarves I made with as few as 15 stitches. For dishcloths it is about 40. For Socks about 70. For sweaters it is about 270. The larger the project the more stitches. But the needles hold all these stitches and you come to them one at a time to knit/purl them. It occasionally happens that a stitch gets dropped but it isn't too hard to get the stitch back where it belongs. And for that I need a crochet hook!

Here's a link showing pictures in case I've throughly confused you:
http://mozemen.blogspot.com/2006/06/small-rant-about-kippot.html

Mutti said...

So, knitting is much harder than crochet, right? are knitters a tight knit group? ;)

Lotzastitches said...

I learned both as a child. My knitting at that time was very tight and made working the stitches frustrating. So I let it rest for a quarter of a century or so.

As an adult I taught myself to knit using a book (Kids Knitting by Falick) written to teach kids to knit. It had cute projects I wanted to make for my kids. Tension (the tightness of the stitches) wasn't a problem anymore.

All 3 of my kids have learned to knit...although the oldest is the only one to complete multiple projects. None of them have ever crocheted. So I'm not sure either is harder than the other....just what you get used to.

I'm not overly fond of crochet. I don't like the drape or feel of the fabric when it is done. But it does come in handy in certain circumstances....even in combination with a knitted garment.