I started the socks with a video pretty much of each of the 6 rows. Here are some things I learned:
- it's pretty hard to see the stitches with the yarn I'm using, I think
- I needed to do gauge math.
I realized once I was in the 6-8 row range that the toe was going to be HUGE. This is because I ignored my gauge swatch. Rookie mistake. I'm still going to put up the videos, since I took the time, and because maybe they're helpful. But I frogged and will start over with the right number of stitches. I might also do a mini piece with a yarn that is easier to see.
Gauge math:
Pattern gauge is 36st per 4"
My swatch is 30st/41r per 4" on 2.5 mm needles and the fabric feels good to me so I don't want to do another swatch on smaller needles.
My foot is about 9" circumference, 9" x 36st/4" = 81 st in pattern gauge - not sure how much negative ease is recommended for this pattern. The L size has 64 st around, 64st x 4"/36st = 7.1", 2" negative ease seems like more than enough so I'll follow the L instructions.
The L instructions say to CO 32.
32st x 4"/36st x 30st/4" = 26.67 st so I can CO 26 or 27 st
Once in the round pattern has 64st x 4"/36st x 30st/4" = 53.3 st
twice 26 is 52, a little tighter
twice 27 is 54 which is pretty close to what I want so I'll CO 27 even though it's an odd number.
Oh you didn't check your gauge? Then you have homework before you start!
1. read this article
2. knit and measure your gauge swatch
My usual strategy is to CO half again as many sts as the pattern says will be 4" - this makes a 6" swatch. So for this pattern, 36 + 36/2 = 36 + 18 = 54, but I like multiples of 5 so I'd CO 55. Then I'd knit garter stitch for a few rows (3 or 4 ridges), then I carry on with 4-5 st of garter stitch at the beginning and end, and when I'm about square I do the symmetrical number of garter stitches. Then I bind off, measure, wash the swatch, and measure again. I have a sweet little pile of gauge swatches that are something like 6" square that eventually might be an interesting quilt ... someday.
This project illustrates how I have taught myself so much knitting. I started in and thought things were awkward but figured I was following the pattern so it was okay. Then I got to the "complete toe" section and it didn't work at all. I frogged and started over with my new knowledge and then something clicked and I figured out how it worked. Lots and trial and error but I learn a lot from all my mistakes.
Here is me figuring it out for real:
Then as I worked more to get to the toe completion part it started to get a lot more comfortable so I think it might be valuable to watch this toe part before starting.
And this is unzipping the provisional cast on and preparing to knit in the round. I picked up with the other end of the same needle. Don't do this! My needles were going in opposite directions when I was done!
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