While I finished at least a handful of projects last season, I also started and set aside a couple more. Unless I have to finish a project (or just really, really, really want to), sometimes very small set-backs will send a project to the wayside. Case in point: the silk daisy scarf I started nearly three years ago.
Two such projects have been languishing. One dates back to sometime around September 07, and the other is not quite a year old, so I could still finish them with some dignity.
Behold! Unfinished socks!
First on deck: Secret Socks.
What you see is my first attempt at color work. I picked up the Lang Jawoll yarn on my trip to Berlin two summers ago. The color work pattern is a portion of a pattern from a German flier I picked up on the same trip.
I actually started and finished these in 2007, well almost anyway. I had been knitting them in secret because I so wanted to just show off the FO. I was looking for a big reveal, natch. This was going to be a big deal because not only did I knit two colors at once, but I knit both socks at once! You were going to be so impressed and proud of me.
The problem? I spaced out completely when I cast off. What I mean to say is that I spaced out and just cast off when I should have been doing Elizabeth Z's sewn cast off. One sock is still on the needles, while the other is off and won't fit over the ball of my foot.
Bugger! I don't know how to undo a cast-off. So, this project sits, but probably not for too much longer. I'm really itching for a new pair or socks, so I may drag these down to Knit Happens and get one of the fine ladies to help me out.
Next up: Mocha Socks
These have fallen victim to an even more pathetic excuse for setting aside a project: I'm not sure they look right.
The yarn is a lovely hand dye that Meghann sent me last year for completing a survey on her site. The pattern is the Uptown Boot Socks from Favorite Socks.
I followed the pattern exactly, and it just doesn't look right. Rather than knit a few more rounds to give the pattern more time to emerge, I just set them down much the way a deer freezes in your headlights on a lonely, West Virginia road. To continue would waste time, but I really didn't want to frog them just because I wasn't sure.
It has occurred to me more recently that I might actually be messing up the pattern because I'm knitting them toe up. As soon as I finish another big project this season, I might do some investigating and see if that's it. Or I might just suck it up and work a few more pattern repeats... you know to give the pattern as chance to emerge. sigh I exasperate myself!
Lost Hat
Funny (not funny haha) thing happened the day after I posted my last post. Nat, of Nat's Hat fame, rang me up to inform me that she lost the hat! Seriously! I dunno what that means, one day I show it off and the next day it's gone.
On the up side, I was poking around in my copy of Favorite Socks and found the notes I made for the hat. Nat knits, so I'm going to try to piece together the pattern so she can knit herself a new one. I'm afraid that even though she's offered to pay me - crazy lady - I really am on a big deadline for my current project, which I will reveal shortly.
The upshot for all of you who like the hat (Thanks, BTW!) is that I'll type it up and post it for yins to enjoy.
How do you like them apples?
Oh I have gotten stumped with the 'it just doesn't look right' thing many a time!
Posted by: Heather | December 15, 2008 at 10:32 PM
The cast off is easy to take out if it's just a regular knitted cast off. Find your end (if you've already woven it in) and pull it back through the last stitch. After that it should just unravel with a gentle tug like any other row you want to tink.
Good luck!
Posted by: Erin | December 16, 2008 at 08:13 AM
I have a sweater that's been sitting on the needles for years at this point because I just got bored with it. Your excuses are much better. ;)
Posted by: Jessica | December 16, 2008 at 02:25 PM
I just knit the Uptown Boot socks, and I think what you are doing looks correct. Mine looked a bit different from the pattern photo while I was knitting them, so I understand you doubt. You could continue them.
OTOH, I had trouble maintaining the pattern after the heel. Since you haven't gotten near that "rocky" part, I'd understand if you just frogged them.
Posted by: Luni | December 17, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Hi, I would like to ask if the pattern for Los Mono Locos is up to date for this year. I am a new knitter to socks and would like to know if there are any errors that may not have been reported as of yet so i won't be confused when I ask questions. Please let me know. thank you
Posted by: Cheryl | March 30, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Ha Ha what a story... Good luck on the socks. Wish I could help you out.
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