Done done done done done. What more can I say?
I dubbed these the "Lost at Sea Socks" for several reasons, but namely because they're as big as paddles. If I were lost at sea and I could only have one pair of socks, it'd be these bad boys. The stitches are so small that the socks might even hold water.
Yarn: Lana Grossa Meilenweit Fantasy, 4730 Colorway
Pattern: Basic Stockinette, toe-up on magic loop. I used Charlene Schurch's short-row heel from Sensational Knitted Socks. I used one of The Knitting Fiend's Sock-u-lators (can't remember which one) to figure out the stitch count.
Size: Men's aprox. US size 10 1/2
Needles: Profi 3mm circular
I finished these around 11pm last night, and haven't had a chance to take any photos of B sporting his new kicks. However, I can assure you that they fit and fit well.
One small problem: Charlene fails to give any advice for casting off toe-up socks. In the chapter on 5 stitches, she doesn't even bother to tell you to cast off. I found a later reference that says to "BO loosely." The first sock is more than a bit tight. B has some trouble getting it over his massive ankle. So, I bound the second one off even looser still. It goes on better, but still tight.
This is the second technique I've tried, and they both produce something that barely has any give. Would love some expert opinion on binding off at the cuff so that you can still get the socks on.
Your socks are beautiful, so bright and cheery. In the new 'More Sensational Knitted Socks' she has a whole section on binding off for toe up socks, you might want to check that out.
Posted by: Heather | May 22, 2007 at 07:37 AM
Aye, figures about the "MORE Sensational Knitted Socks." I'm always the one asking the questions covered in the next lesson.
Posted by: Jen | May 22, 2007 at 07:59 AM
I've never done it, but I wonder if going up a needle size to bind off would help.
Those socks are beautiful!
I really am making progress on the Rowan vest- I've got one 10 more rows on the circs before I split to finish the top part. I'd say I'm 60% done and no "bad vibes" yet. It may be the first "bigger" FO I've ever done.
Posted by: becky | May 22, 2007 at 09:08 AM
Becky: It was like a big monkey jumped off my back when I finished B's socks. They do look great in the end, and he likes them, but they had the air of 'more than I could chew' about them. Can't wait to see your vest. Not the first FO - what about your Flair?
Posted by: Jen | May 22, 2007 at 09:40 AM
Great work! :) Do share when you find the perfect bind off.
Posted by: Jennie | May 22, 2007 at 01:59 PM
I'm one of those shy lurkers, but I've knit so many socks I had to pipe up. My knitting is so tight that I used to switch from 1's to 8's in order to get my socks over my skinny feet.
There are different ways of doing stretchy bind offs but I like the one listed at the top here:
http://weebleknits.blogspot.com/2003/05/stretchy-bind-offs.html
If it doesn't work for you, there are others out there, but that is my current favorite.
Posted by: Sara | May 22, 2007 at 02:06 PM
I meant first FO that I could actually wear without someone immediately knowing that I made it myself!
Posted by: becky | May 23, 2007 at 06:15 AM
My favourite way to cast-off toe-up socks is EZ's sewn cast-off. It is stretchy, but also looks nice when the sock is laying flat - no giant stitches around the bound-off edge. The instructions are found in this pattern here: http://www.socknitters.com/toe-up/lessonsix.htm
And it's only slightly slower and more fiddly than a regular bind-off ;)
Posted by: Josie | May 23, 2007 at 08:43 AM