Happy New Year 2014!

Here's to a healthy, happy, creative and productive 2014 for all! With the start of the new year many are making their resolutions for the new year. Many resolutions are personal challenges. We challenge ourselves to loose weight or become more active. I'm not much for making resolutions, but have thought about challenging myself in the new year.  So, along with a serious push to complete most or all my WIPs, 2014 is the great sock challenge. The challenge is not only to learn how to knit socks, but to complete one pair of socks per month. This past Monday I headed to The Knitter's Edge in Bethlehem for addi Sock Rocket needles and sock yarn. The book I'm using is "Socks From The toe up" by Wendy D. Johnson. January's sock the short-row toe and heel basic sock.

After a slow start, I'm on start number 4 or 5. I've lost count how many times I've had to frog this sock! LOL! It took several tries to get the toe somewhat correct.  There were a few issues, but good enough to continue. I knitted the foot and was up to 4" from the toe when I thought I should "try it on". It felt a bit loose, so I re-read how to measure and adjust the sock for my size. I also read a few blogs and articles on sock sizing. I calculated that the sock size was 7.65" and round that up to an 8". It is a bit looser than it should be.  After reading I should have rounded and adjusted to 7.5". So the sock got frogged and I'm starting again. I have learned a number of new techniques: provisional cast-on, knitting a sock with 2 circular needles, and a short row toe. There are post-it notes with notes galore on this pattern! The biggest thing I have learned is READ THE PATTERN CAREFULLY! I can not stress this enough. It also helps to highlight and/or underline. I am used to knitting lace with charts and not accustomed to knitting from a written pattern. The biggest issue with this project so far is the misreading of the pattern (aka user error!). I am enjoying the project and learning process.

One other new challenge for 2014 will be learning cables. The goal will be to knit a cable project, preferably a sweater or poncho. :)

Happy New Year and Happy Knitting!

Nancy