I worked another toe using the increase every round for so many rounds and then increasing every other round (with a plain knit round between) until the desired stitch count is achieved. I was surprised that it didn’t make a huge difference, but I like it better all the same :)
Original toe:
I’m staying with the easy toe-up cast on mentioned in Wednesday’s post for now. Perhaps for the next pair, I’ll try something else. For now, this is working nicely for me and I’m liking the results I get from it.
I tried casting on to my long circular (Addi, 2.5 mm - the first Addi I ever owned) but between the cable curling and trying to keep the tail end of the yarn separate from the working end, I was getting confused and frustrated. So I used DPNs for the cast-on which worked well and provided an unexpected and undeserved surprise benefit. See, I thought these were size 2 US (2.75 mm) needles which wouldn’t be too different from the Addis (size 1 European - 2.5 mm) when I switched over to the long cable needle once the increases were complete. Silly me :) The DPNs were size 3 US (3.125 mm, according to my needle gauge) and that made a bigger difference than I would have preferred had I realized.
However, due to various issues, my feet, and especially my toes, are very sensitive these days. Using the size 3 DPNs actually created a somewhat looser toe than usual which, as it turns out, is quite comfortable :) Switching to the Addi cable makes the foot fit perfectly - just slightly snugger that the toe cap - so it worked out wonderfully! And you now, if I had deliberately set out to figure out how I might accomplish this - a slightly looser toe than foot, it would have taken me years!
I’ve nearly reached the end of the third ball of Manos on the sort-of garter stitch shawl and it has become painfully clear that I am not going to have enough yarn for the width I’d like this to have. When I rhapsodically reported that it was more than 60” wide, I was (duh!) looking at the wrong measurement. It is actually only about 45” wide. This last ball only added just over 2” to the width and the two balls I have left aren’t going to add much more. This would give me a scarf or a shoulder shawl - but that isn’t what I had in mind :(
I’m pleased to say that Chatters is indeed on for tomorrow night! Pleased because our router went toes-up earlier this week and there was some question about whether we would be able to replace it by Saturday. The question really only existed because the grounds hereabouts are covered with an inch and a half of ice and our landlord, jolly fellow that he is, sometimes forgets that his family (which uses different access to the building than we do) isn’t the only one living here :) The ice is an issue because I can’t risk falling and breaking something with my bones is somewhat iffy shape as they are now - Myria would have a fit and fall in it if I even tried. And since I’m the driver, if I can’t get out, we don’t go anywhere :)
However, a new router has been procured and it’s business as usual on the internet!
Stay warm folks - see you tomorrow night :)
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Oh I love the Regia toe and yarn! Good job!
Silly me! I thought you were going to start the toe with more stitches [which of course would make a difference] and increase to the correct number!
Congratulations on the serendipitous mistake of dpns and circulars! :-)
Opal - Why thanks :) I’m enjoying watching the colors as they spool out around the sock. The autumn colors of the other yarn are attractive, but my eye seems to be yearning for blues these days…
Lynne - No - not silly at all! I’m sorry I didn’t explain myself better :) I started all those toes with 16 stitches and that was fine. It was the slope of the toe that I wanted to change so that it was a bit more rounded and a bit less triangular. And I think the second effort, as well as the sonc underway, is better.
I’m quite sure it wouldn’t make any difference in the wear and that when the socks are on the foot, all middling differences disappear. It’s just personal esthetics - and mine are weird :)
Re your Manos shawl, I’ve found that garter stitch uses more yarn than other stitch patterns. You might want to try a more open stitch on bigger needles to get the size you want. I made a shawl from a LionBrand pattern on a hang tag at Michaels which alternated stockinette bands and a more open band (several rows in the stockinette sections). I knit mine from some clearance bin nylon sort of sueded ribbon and it’s warm and cosy although I don’t think it’s as big as you’d like. You might be able to find the pattern on LionBrand’s website. It was bound off by doing a new-to-me bind-off that produced a sort of scallopped edge. Given that you’re using wool, your shawl would be warmer even if more open and doesn’t have to rely on the density of garter stitch for warmth.
Charlotte - I didn’t know that garter stitch used more yarn than stockinette - I thought it was the reverse - so that’s useful information.
Thanks!
I did give a thought to larger needles but 10s are as large as my needles go. I’m afraid I would find anything larger than that very difficult to manage.
Thanks for the frogging encouragement! I love the Regina yarn for the toe up sock. Stay warm and sure footed.
Vicki
Vicki - As with another, comparable sentiment - frogging happens :)
The Regia is working out very nicely indeed. Pictures in the next post!
