I Don't Know About You, But...
From Left to Right: Snowbunny by Scouts Swag, Lucy by Socks That Rock, and Verdarancio by LuLu's Etsy. This is what has arrived in the mail in the past week or so. Ain't they beautiful? Mind you, this isn't the only Sock Yarn I have. I still have the Cha Cha that I got from one of the Secret Pal 9 girls. I also have two skeins of Koigu in a pretty buttery yellow. And some Lorna's Laces in Denim. Oh, and the Koigu that I'm using for the River Socks. (I had to swing by the LYS and grab the last skein in that colorway because...well let's just say I have a few questions about making socks.) 
I purchased some stitch markers from Zero's Etsy the other day and they arrived today! I don't remember who posted a blog post about her, (I think it was on Cookie's blog), but either way I stumbled upon her Etsy shop and took a gander. Glad I did! I bought two sets, (of seven), pearl stitch markers. The purple/silver set is for my Secret Pal Angel that I'm late getting a package out to. I hope she likes them! The blue/white set is for me! Look at how gorgeous they are! Jealous much?! Oh yeah! She also included two markers in different colors attached to her business cards. How's that for good business! Life has been good. In some ways at least. We are still having car problems. Shawn took the car in to have the head gaskets checked. (Apparently they have some kind of exhaust test to check and see what's going on.) It turns out that the head gaskets are the problem. $500-$800, no prob right? Well, yes. It is. Because they said if we have the gaskets replaced we'd end up having problems with the pistons as well, because of the pressure build up. So really, it's more like a $3,000 problem because we need an entire new engine. I don't know what will happen, we really can't afford a car payment. Not with a new baby and Shawn's job giving the guys bad job sites. I'm hoping the car will last a couple more weeks. Keep your fingers crossed. (On the flip side, I have a friend who is selling his Lincoln Towncar. The original price was $2,700 but he is offering me the car at $1,900, and since he's known me since I was a wee child, he will probably take payments. Again keep your fingers crossed.)
But this is really what keeps me going, regardless of the stress,
"Hey, mom! Look at me!" She's getting so big. And smiling. Oh, she is smiling! And what a beautiful smile it is. (Now if I had the camera right by when she did! Soon.) If you want to see more pictures of the beautiful girl, go here.
You thought I was going to post my River Socks didn't you?! Didn't you?! Well you should all be very proud because I'm 75% done with the first sock. I've knit the leg, the heel flap, turned the heel, picked up the stitches...and now I'm just working on the foot. So this is what brings me to the questions that I need answers to. (If you don't want to post in the comment box, you can email me at blueyedpenny(at)yahoo(dot)com. Much appreciated!)
- When you are knitting from the leg down, how do you know how much yarn you will need? (I kept eyeballing the yarn and guessing that it would be enough for the foot, but now I'm not so sure. Thus, grabbing the last skein today.)
- How do you know how much yarn you need for a certain length sock? (What if I want knee highs or anklets?)
- If you have one big skein of yarn (say 400 yards), how do you split it for two socks? (Does this mean I need a swift and scale?)
- And is it really easier to knit socks from the toe up so you know how much yarn you have to work with? (I'm nowhere doing any advanced patterns so I have no idea if I will be able to work the pattern backwards.)
So that's it. For now. I'll post pictures of the River Sock, (recognize that it's singular for now), tomorrow! Happy Knittin'!
6 comments:
When you are knitting from the leg down, how do you know how much yarn you will need? (I kept eyeballing the yarn and guessing that it would be enough for the foot, but now I'm not so sure. Thus, grabbing the last skein today.)
I usually guess, or on my cuff down socks, use yarn that is for 1 sock per skein.
How do you know how much yarn you need for a certain length sock? (What if I want knee highs or anklets?)
Guesstimate.
If you have one big skein of yarn (say 400 yards), how do you split it for two socks? (Does this mean I need a swift and scale?)
I use the swift and scale.
And is it really easier to knit socks from the toe up so you know how much yarn you have to work with? (I'm nowhere doing any advanced patterns so I have no idea if I will be able to work the pattern backwards.)
I do all my socks toe up unless I am following a specific pattern with no modifications for size because I like to get as long of cuffs as possible.
Hope that helps. I LOVE your yummy sock yarnage!!
Your yarn looks awesome, and those stitch markers are really nice. I must get myself some! As far as knowing how much sock yarn you need, it is usually a guess and some luck. The best way to use the most is to do it toe up after splitting the yarn in half.
Those are pretty yarn. As for your questions - I'm pretty new to sock knitting so not much help here. I am starting a few socks for my hubby toe up b/c I don't want to buy a 3rd skein of yarn and if I knit for myself, I have small feet so if I go cuff down - I have yarn left over which I do not like so toe up it is for me unless I'm following a pattern.
I usually split the hank in half and then guess the rest - I refuse to knit toe-up (short row heels leave me baffled)!
Beautiful yarny goodness and stitch markers. I have ordered from her and just got some at Stitches - they really are stunning and she does have great service.
Good luck with the car!
On to sock questions...it's an educated guess doing top down. There are general guidelines, but depending on your knitting style, the yarn, the foot size and the complexity of the stitch pattern, the yardage can be affected. To split, I use a scale and winder, after having wound the skein into a cake. But this is just for my convenience. You could just as easily wind it and weigh it as you go with just the swift. Any sock can be converted to toe up with some basic toe up instructions. The only exception is when a stitch pattern is directional, i.e., it will look different (but not necessarily bad) when knit from the toe up.
Great sock questions.
I always knit from the top down. I simply do not like short row heels and I can't think of any other good reason to knit toe up.
I have big feet and try to buy skeins with good yardage. I have yet to run out of yarn - no matter the pattern or the yarn. I just know how much yarn it takes for me to make an average pair for me.
If I was knitting for dh or my oldest son who both have huge feet I'm not sure what I'd do. I'd certainly be tempted to knit different colored toes and heels just to be safe.
It's all a guessing game for me.
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