Monday, January 21, 2008

Serena's Christmas...Er, New Year's Gift

Serena is so lucky that I love her. I always answer her call for Jaywalkers (she's already made a request for red ones next time) because what knitter doesn't love it when someone truly appreciates all the time and effort put into making something special for them.

These socks haven't behaved since the beginning. It was always three steps forward, ten steps back. After complaining in my last blog post about my stupidity with regard to reading the pattern, things just got worse. I'd finally turned the heel for the second time and thought all was well as I proceeded with the gusset. Two Fridays ago, I sat down to watch Ghost Whisperer and finish them up so I could finally gift them on Monday, when another tragedy struck.

Before knitting the first stitch of the evening, I looked back to admire the striping on the heel. Suddenly, I saw a stitch that appeared to be purled instead of knitted. Calmly, I dropped the stitch down to repair it; no sweat, I was thinking. I have no idea what I did, but I realized it wasn't a stitch. I'd messed up somewhere, and now I had this ladder and an overwhelming urge to yank the sock off the needles, burn the yarn, and stab my eyes with the DPNs. Instead, I calmly knit back 10 or so rows, and by the following afternoon (yes, I fell asleep on the couch in despair!), I was finally back on track.

I'm sure Serena choked back a laugh when I told her about mishap #2, and she waited patiently for her beloved socks as morning after morning I came into the office and told her they weren't done, that I started getting tired and took that as a sign to put the needles down. As I finished up the socks, here and there I made stupid mistakes: forgetting to slip a stitch, dropping a stitch, and the list goes on. But it wasn't so bad because I was only knitting back one row or a few stitches. (The hubby is sitting on the couch watching sports, listening to me swear, and asking, "How come you're having so much trouble with these socks? Is Alzheimer's setting in and you've already forgotten how to knit? Well, you did just turn 30..." Yes, he's lucky he's still alive!)

After all my troubles, these socks deserve an introduction. May I present (drumroll, please!)...

Fruity Jaywalkers


Pattern: Grumperina's Jaywalkers from MagKnits
Yarn: ONline Supersocke 100 Holiday Color (color 1004, 1 ball)
Needles: U.S. 2 Susan Bates aluminum DPNs
Started: 12/2007
Finished: 01/18/08
Modifications: I went up a needle size and knit the small size, and I knit the leg shorter.

The yarn was okay. It definitely was not the softest sock yarn I've ever used. I liked the colors, but I didn't like how the stripes were uneven, meaning that the green, for instance, lasted only long enough for one row on the back of the sock and two rows on the front of the sock. (I hope I'm explaining that correctly. I've never had that happen with the other striping yarns I've used. I'm sure it would've looked differently in another pattern.)

I was really happy with how the heel flap turned out, and this was the first pair of socks I've knit that I didn't feel that I picked up the stitches for the gusset sloppily. (Don't have pictures of those, though.) It just goes to show that you get better at knitting as time goes on.

The whole process was worth it because an excited Serena called me the day after I gave them to her (we'd been running around the day before and she didn't have time to try them on) to tell me how much she loves them.

Needless to say, I took a few days break from knitting to put the Fruity Jaywalker mishaps behind me.

Oh, and I can't forget to tell you my good news!! We finally have a home computer, so blog posts should be more frequent!!



**Photo Copyright 2008 Serena M. Agusto-Cox**

7 comments:

Serena said...

LOL yup...put them on and didn't want to take them off! :)

Anna said...

I'm glad you like them. Just promise me you'll take them off and wash them once in awhile. Then again, I won't have to smell your feet when you're working from home, so do what you wish! :D

Bethany said...

Those look great! But you must try a new pattern!!! If there are any you want and I have them, let me know and I will mail you a copy. You should try Embossed Leaves next, those are simple and fun.
Your daughter is very lucky, I quit knitting for mine after she let the socks mildew on the floor.

Serena said...

LOL I am open to other stock patterns so long as they have neat striping designs...i really like that part the best...and the vibrant yarns! :D I'll never have to buy socks again! WOOHOO.

Anna said...

I have plenty of sock patterns. It's just that it's Serena's favorite. :D

My daughter is not nearly as lucky as Serena. I've only knit her one pair of socks, and she's outgrown them already!

Dawn said...

They look GREAT! Serena is one lucky lady! ;O)

You know that I can SO relate (all too well) to all the mishaps! I don't know what the heck goes on, I guess we just have that atmospheric glitch that makes the cosmic stars not align quite right...you know, it's totally out of our control! (yea, that's it!)

I really like that pattern, some look like too much going on. I may do it again just on the leg part and for sure in the smaller size! LOL! Congrats on a great pair of socks!!

And Yea for more blogging!!!

Anna said...

Thanks! If I don't spend too much time messing with the new computer, I think I might start another knitting project. Let's hope the needles and yarn behave this time!