I have three FOs tonight, and while I only consider one of them to be a true "cheat," they're all pretty darn small.
First are "tiger socks" for the boys. I got this yarn in preparation for the Summer of Socks, because I wanted to try some new yarns and new fibers as part of the challenge for me. I didn't really fulfill that challenge in that much of the new yarn I bought for that purpose remains in my stash as yet unknit, but I'll get to it eventually. Here are two balls used up, completing the "I've never knit with stretchy sock yarn before" part of my original goal:
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In the interest of full disclosure I'll admit that I knit the first pair thinking that they would be for C (who's 7 1/2). I miscalculated/mismeasuered/mis-something, and lo and behold, they're J's (who's 4 1/2). Actually, Mr. Skinnylegs' feet and ankles have the same circumference as his younger brother's, but that first pair was too short in the foot. So the second pair was knit longer, and now they're both happy.
I didn't have any trouble with the stretchy yarn. I'm hoping against hope that the elastic in these will allow them to fit for more than the approximately one month that the first pairs of socks I knit them fit. At least J can now wear the ones I knit for C, but still. Sheesh.
C wanted a picture of his feet on their own (and J was done being a foot model by then anyway):
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Pattern: Basic stockinette sock with slip-stitch heel. Both knit on 52 stitches, but C's is longer than J's by about an inch in both the leg and the foot.
Yarn: Skacel Trampoline Stretch in color 229, Tiger, bought online at Woodland Woolworks.
Yardage: I used one ball per pair of these socks. I had about 8g left after J's smaller socks, and only 3g left after C's.
Needles: US1 / 2.25mm bamboo DPNs
Gauge: 8 sts/inch
Notes: I wondered about tension, knitting with the stretchy yarn, but I didn't really notice a difference between it and regular wool sock yarn while knitting. The finished sock is definitely more stretchy, though, which I hope bodes well for how long they'll fit.
Okay, now on to the cheat:
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How cute is that? This little pumpkin is the fault of Ravelry, the database of doom for easily distractable people. I had uploaded the pictures of the kids' socks last night, and, being the nerd that I am, I went to the "people" page to see how long it would take for them to show up in the "show us your FOs!" list (they were already there by the time I clicked, amazing!). Right next to them was the cutest little pumpkin. Clicked on it, saw that the pattern is free, clicked on that, printed it, and dug out the orange Caron Simply Soft left over from C's grandma slippers. Total time from spotting the photo to casting on was about five minutes. Must be a record! Way less than an hour later, it was done. I haven't put a jack-o-lantern face on it yet, although the kids really want me to.
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Pattern: Curly Purly Pumpkin, by Marnie Ann Joyce
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft, in Mango and Dark Sage
Needles: US5 / 3.75mm DPNs
Notes: Super, super fast. Hardly counts as an FO. The only change I made was to add a little leaf to the top by the stem (for cuteness as well as to cover up some wonky sewing). No pattern for that, just started with one stitch and kfb at each end a couple of times to get to 5 stitches, then ssk/k2tog at each end a couple of times to decrease it back down.
Comments (11)
all of your fo's look great, but that wee little pumpkin is ADORABLE!
ravelry sure is eville, isn't it? ;]
Posted by amy | October 15, 2007 7:59 AM
Posted on October 15, 2007 07:59
Heh. I saw last night on my friend page on Ravelry that you'd queued the pumpkin, and now it's in my queue, too. It just sucks you in, doesn't it? Love it. :)
I was just looking for information about knitting socks with stretchy yarn this morning. That's funny.
Posted by Kirstie | October 15, 2007 8:09 AM
Posted on October 15, 2007 08:09
I have yet to knit with stretchy yarn because the Cascade Fixation I have seems a bit too much like plastic to me. Maybe I'll try the Skacel instead.
That pumpkin is too cute! The added leaf is pure genius. :)
Posted by Opal | October 15, 2007 12:26 PM
Posted on October 15, 2007 12:26
Those socks are great! I totally love 'database of doom' for the distractable...
Posted by lisa | October 15, 2007 4:57 PM
Posted on October 15, 2007 16:57
Love the socks and the pumpkin! Whenever I knit for one child - I have to knit for the other children too!
Posted by tiennie | October 15, 2007 6:10 PM
Posted on October 15, 2007 18:10
I tried to knit my son socks and he was able to try them on before he grew out of them. I don't think I can knit fast enough to keep up with his feet.
That pumpkin is sooooo cute! I'm going to have to make a couple.
Posted by Khalila | October 15, 2007 9:02 PM
Posted on October 15, 2007 21:02
The socks are lovely, but that pumpkin steals the show!
Posted by Theresa | October 17, 2007 7:21 AM
Posted on October 17, 2007 07:21
You know, I had successfully resisted casting on for one of those little pumpkins until I saw yours. Now I have to have one too! Yours is so cute!!! (here's hoping I can stop at just one; last year I got hooked on making Curly Purly's little Easter eggs and before I knew it I had made at least a dozen....)
Great fall socks, too!
Posted by earthchick | October 17, 2007 1:15 PM
Posted on October 17, 2007 13:15
You're doing the most beautiful projects! I *so* love the tiger socks, they look so happy and cheerful! And the pumpkin must be the cutest I've seen for long - it's perfect actually!!!
Posted by Dipsy | October 18, 2007 2:28 AM
Posted on October 18, 2007 02:28
Dang! Now you have us ALL knitting pumpkins . . . Sweet socks, btw! :)
Posted by Amanda | October 18, 2007 10:27 PM
Posted on October 18, 2007 22:27
Those socks fit amazingly well! Socks for everybody, how exciting.
And that pumpkin... I want one. I want to make one. Aaargh, it's contagious!
Posted by Batty | October 19, 2007 6:23 PM
Posted on October 19, 2007 18:23