The trouble with knitting socks

Still slightly obsessed with the fantasy of knitting these socks (I can't get them out of my head), I did a quick peruse of my 'abandoned' knitting projects, and found all of the above. Five 'one socks'. No matches were ever made for them, and as you can see, some never even made it to the full 'one sock' status. I don't want to think about how many more are out there--hiding amongst my yarn, or those that have already been frogged. Look at the purple and pink ones I started this summer--I've given up on them enough to take the needles out, but can't bear to unravel it! And more recently, the sock still on the needles was with a burst of sock inspiration (Knitting Iris did it to me--she makes me want to be a sock knitter!) I had just a month ago. I even tried a new pattern--the toe up. But alas, just barely past the toes and I decided I didn't like the colors, so there it sits. This, my friends, is why--with a heavy heart--I admit that I cannot make those fabulous over the knee holiday socks. Sigh.

Here is the one lone 'pair' of socks that I've ever made. Booties, yes...lots of them. But socks...this is it. (Yankee Knitter Designs, Classic Socks. can't remember the yarn.) I do have to say that both of my boys have worn and loved them, so that should be enough motivation to start anew right there.

C'mon...fess up. How many 'one socks' are hiding at YOUR house? I can't be the only one!

Comments

[abbyjane]

I don't knit, so no "one socks" for me, but for the longest time I've wanted to do a post on my blog about what I call "the basket of the damned." That is, the basket that sits on the floor of my craft room that is full of failed stuffed animals. You know, the ones with no faces, lopsided heads, only half their stuffing, torn seams, etc. You might have just motivated me to construct such a post.

[jacqueline]

No socks for me either. I can't get past my third grade level of knitting to even consider socks. My daughter used to only wear mis matched socks, so perhaps that is the way to go for you!

[Joelene]

Ok to be totally honest, even though this isn't want you want to here: I have not "one" socks. They all have there mate. This is because I knit both socks at the same time, otherwise I wouldn't move on to the next exciting pattern before the second is complete.

If you think you might want to try this, let me know and I will pull you some links!

But really those last socks are too cute! knitting is a process, so what is you don't have 2 socks!

[Kristen]

If your talking of those lovely knee socks you showed awhile ago, I still covet those and they sorely tempt me to try socks. So no, I don't have 1 sock around but do in fact, have 2 lone wristlets/arm warmers.

[scribblesnbits]

Like you, I am obsessed with those socks. I'm scared to start the project (even put off swatching for it), though, because I've never knit socks, so I have no "one socks" to contribute to the tally.

[katharine]

I absolutely can't knit, so there's no chance of any socks, single or otherwise. All your crafty-ness has inspired me though, and I'm determined to learn to either sew or knit this summer, once I've graduated.

[Dana]

This is so disheartening! JK, as my girls would say. I just started my first pair of socks and am already wondering, will I ever knit the second sock? I guess we will just have to see.

[Kat]

Two. Two one-socks. First, the cuff of a sock in KnitPicks Sock Garden "Pansy" (still LOVE that yarn. Gotta finish those socks). Second, a koigu toe-up sock knit in fishtail lace, which is reallllly a drag, for some reason.

[kelli]

Living in AZ, I rarely wear socks. So, I just haven't found the interest to knit them. Plus they seem so complicated and the stitches so tiny.
I guess I'm a bit of a knitting wimp.

[Stephanie]

oh, I have lots of partially finished socks hiding in various places. but I have lots of completed pairs as well ;)

[Blair]

Haven't I seen Nordstrom carrying mismatched pairs of socks in their stores? Not nearly as cute as any of these. I say, only make one of each, similar size, and just wear them mismatched. How cute would that be (ooooo, let's start a club).

[Anamaria]

I have enough trouble finishing one of a thing; I can't imagine turning around and making the very same thing again! I love those stripy socks on chubby feet, though. Maybe Adelaide will wear them one day, too!

[Emily]

Four "one socks" and 2 more started. (More single socks, not mates to any of the four singles!)

[joleen]

too funny! i've never made any socks but i have 3 or 4 other knitting projects on needles still. :/

[Rachel]

3 odd socks, plus 1 to be frogged in scratchy yarn and 8 on the needles but I knit those in rotation 5 rounds or 10 half rounds on each sock at least every weekend!! I know it sounds crazy, but I'm currently sock obsessed but get bored if I stick at one thing at atime!

[Anna]

I have to admit that I'm getting into the sock thing. They're fun and fast. Instant gratification.

[Ali]

I have a horrible attention span for larger projects (sweaters/finishing), but socks are my friend. I've never not finished a pair (six to date). I think I'm great about socks because they require little in the way of finishing. I hate blocking. I hate seaming. I hate weaving in ends. So socks work for me.

[Windy City Wendy]

I think your "one socks" aren't missing mates. They're missing eyes and ears and whatever else they need to make puppets for the boys. You just know they'll put them to great use!

[aimee]

I pretty much always finish my socks eventually, even though I often have several (like 6-7) different ones going at once. But there is one dreadful pair that haunt me. I started them for my husband-size 12 feet- and the yarn is ugly, the gauge is too tight, and they are just NEVER going to happen. But maybe you should do some more little people socks-they are so fast and fun. They're my faves.

[diana]

Those socks from Handknit Holidays haunt me as well. As far as hiding single socks in the house, none. Super cute booties for the boys!

[Gina L]

I have tons of 1 sock~ missing it's pair, but I didn't knit them. I just tried to wash them.

[KiWi]

just one. I finished two complete pair of socks...both wonky and unappealing..and then abandoned my last attempt.
Currently, I'm knitting the 'Jayne' hat for a coworker. Wonky goodness is baked right in.

[kyrie]

i have so so many one socks. i always decide after the first sock that i don't like them for some reason. worse, i think i probably have ten or so sets of size one dpns, because socks seem like such good projects to start (and i always had another sock on the 'other' set, oy).

i did finish a complete pair for a christmas gift once, but after i did the math, i realized that over that many stitches i could have finished a sweater instead! it's all about the stitch count.

[Amy]

The only reason I don't have single socks is because I use this technique.

http://webdesignsbybarb.com/tostetoes/twosocksoneneedletoeup.htm

Those single socks are all really cute though.

[Siri]

Oh dear. I'm so sorry. I fear I've been an accomplice in leading you astray! Well, the only "one sock" I have right now is the one that I started knitting yesterday.
Sweaters. Now that's another matter entirely. Five. No! Six unfinished sweaters. That doesn't even include a few long-past abandoned ones.
I finally just came to terms with one of them the other day: The Jo Sharp "Cosmipolitan" wrap sweater in brown mohair that I had such high expectation of was going to make me look like a toasted marshmallow. The needles, whatever size they were(?), were missing, too. Besides, I've recently discovered that mohair makes my skin crawl.
Into the washer the knitted pieces will go in hopes of being able to salvage the felted parts into something else.
As for those unfinished socks, they look like they have a potential future in the dress up box. OR, any of them would make fabulous puppets, especially the unfinished stripey one if you just sewed up the end right where it is and put a face on it. OR, could it be frogged and the purple and pink yarn reused for something for that sweet girl of yours?

If I can get up the nerve to post them, I think I've got at least a week or two's worth of tragic posts about abandoned, misguided, lost, or eaten-by-dogs knitting projects.

[portion]

How funny, just a few minutes ago I pulled out my first "one bootie", meant to be a pair, but instead will end up photographed in the spirit of "it's the thought that counts" and "see I really did try" and now I'm going to knit you an easy (easier) blanket. They were my first ever knitting pattern, and after much suffering through it I was so impatient and when faced with the task of finishing I just plowed through it, without any concerns... and it shows.

It's an impressive one sock collection you have, at least!

[Lolly]

I too have a real soft spot for the socks in the Handknit Holidays. Lovely! I have been bad in the past, but I currently only have one sock that needs a mate - and I recently cast on for that one! It sure is hard to get that second one started though!

[chilihead]

As usual, I don't know what to comment about first! Cut socks, cute and unbelievable shower gift, and I LOVE the Oz pix.

[Peggy]

Perhaps you could do a swap. Have someone finish your socks in exchange for one of your fabulous bags or something else equally as wonderful that you make. Or someone could send you an unfinished sewing project to finish for them.

[lisa]

i've never even attempted to knit a sock. you are brave enough to do that.

[Hanna]

Fun reading about your project. I have a second sock on the needles since a couple of months but no single ones. I do have about a million other started projects thought... soon I will finishe maybe one or two... soon!

[kerrie]

That is such a cute picture! I've only just started knitting socks but already have 3 single ones with no mate, that's not good is it!

[Jena]

One singleton sock, plus one not-even-finished sock. ZERO completed pairs. I too am so inpired by others' sock projects, but so far I've never made it to the finish line. Glad to know I'm not the only one with this struggle!

[kate]

I was thinking about your dilemma yesterday, and my opinion is that you should just go for it, and make the crazy long complicated looking beauties (or at least one of them)! The only time I ever stretch myself, or branch out to the next thing is when I seem something that I absolutely must have. When I first started sewing, I saw a pattern for this awesome, complex, quilted jacket made out of some crazy hard to use fabric. I had to have it! I showed it to my mom, who sews but never taught me, and she said that it was too difficult - I should start small. Fortunately, I didn't listen! I made that jacket, and a bizarre jumpsuit to go with it - and it looked just like the photo in the magazine! It was perfect! I think sometimes we need a huge inspiration to push us. Rather than trying to complete one sock project just to practice for the big ones you really want, I think you should go for it! I have faith that you'll love them enough to finish them. Even if it takes years! Who cares. Just cast them on and pick them up to knit a few rows here and there. I have been loving socks for this reason - you don't have to worry if they will fit you in 5 years or not - they will. I am planning on making these at some point too. But I am already working on 2 other pairs of socks right now, so it will wait.
Sorry for the long comment here!

[Robin]

I'm starting my first sock with beautiful yarn that isn't enough to make anything...I decided to do a search about what to do with one sock (assuming I complete it) and I found your blog..I hope I can finish this at least....