Not So Simple Socks

I finished my "first socks of 2010".  I sent them to my brother, but upon inspection of the photo he sent, I see that they are way too big around the leg, which was the same problem Steven had with them.  It's hard to tell from the photo, but if you look at the leg, you can see how loose they are.

Sock Envy

So, I immediately started on a new pair of socks, this time aiming for a more feminine look (for me).  I pulled out my stash of sock yarn from KnitPicks and my size 1 double-pointed needles and started K2P2 rib stitch.  I knitted ten rows (about 1 inch) and then started a stitch pattern called braid.  This stitch pattern is so cute and a really easy cable pattern.  But, on size 1 dpns, I was having a bitch of a time with the cable and not to mention that the size of my cable needle was twice that of the knitting needles.  Also, it seemed like my knitting was really tight.  I managed about four rows of the cable pattern and then frogged the whole thing.  Basically, all the work I did that evening was unfurled from the needles and I decided to try again the next night.

Tuesday night, I picked up the yarn and cast on again.  Still using the size 1 needles, I completed my ten rows of ribbing and started the cable pattern again.  I really tried to keep my knitting loose this time, but I royally screwed up the cable pattern.  I was still using that cable needle, although I did look up how to cable without a needle, but my whole problem is that these needles were just too small for me to use this trick.  My first mistake on the cable pattern caused me to rip out the stitches again and forgo knitting for the rest of the night.

Wednesday night, I tried again, but didn't even make it through the ribbing before I pulled the whole thing apart.  I've had it with the size 1 dpns.  They are just too small or the yarn I'm using is too thick.  Either way, I can't knit comfortably with them.  I went searching for my size 2 dpns, which is what I used to make my brother's socks above, and I felt like those flew off my needles.

So, here comes Thursday night and I'm casting on 64 stitches on size 2 needles.  I make it through the K2P2 ribbing, but when it comes to the stitch pattern, I've decided to change it to something without cables or just straight knitting.  I choose a pattern that is only a combination of knits and purls - called Moss Rib.  It's on the insert that came with my KnitPicks sock yarn.  I actually complete about four rows of this pattern before going to bed, the first time in a week I have knitting on my needles and not in pile on the couch.

It might look messy but it really is coming together

Our next-door neighbors had a huge fight outside last night.  Steven would not turn down the television and let me listen to what they were saying, so I could not make out what the fight was about.  These neighbors always seem to have some type of drama going on and they apparently love to share it with everyone in the complex.  I went outside to get Delilah but made little attempt to hide the fact that I was more interested in the fight.  Steven came out after me and scolded me for my nosiness.   He never lets me have any fun.