Wednesday, September 13, 2006

FO: Tiny Chicklets

They're done! My fantastically fun pair of socks, which shall hereforth be referred to as the Tiny Chicklets socks are now a bonafide FO! I've said it before, but it's worth repeating that I thoroughly enjoyed working on these socks. I bought two skeins of this amazingly colorful colorway of Koigu KPPPM (I'll have to check the ball band to find the exact colorway), without a pattern in mind. The yarn just called out to me, so I had to buy it. I knew I would find the perfect pattern for it later...and I did! Crusoe by Marilyn A. Roberts from the Spring '03 Knitty. These were sooo much fun to knit!

Before I started knitting, I looked online and found that other knitters had problems with the size of the socks (primarily with them ending up being too small), which is what I suspected might be the case when I read the pattern. I also talked with Julia, who shared her experience with these socks, which proved very helpful (as usual). From her, I learned the importance of making the exact right size, because the stranding pattern needs to be just so- not to tight, not too loose- just right. Given all this accumulated knowledge, I decided to make some adjustments. I casted on the number of stitches suggested for the large size (48 sts) - even though I have smaller feet and ankles. I also used needles that were a size larger than called for (US2 [the size I've used in the past for Koigu] instead of US1). I followed Julia's lead and also added extra heel rows to accommodate my arch. So glad I did. ETA: I forgot to mention that I also modified the top of the sock. Instead of the roll-down cuff in the pattern, I chose to do a simple 1x1 rib. Also, I knit these socks on two sets of DPNs, more or less at the same time, a method I will use in the future. Later, SSS!

If you're looking for a good time, I would recommend knitting these socks. In a mind-bogglingly nutty colorway of Koigu. It's the perfect pattern for this yummy yarn. I loved watching all (all) the beautiful colors emerge, stitch by stitch.

I'm really happy with the way these turned out. They fit perfectly. Snug, but not too tight...just right! Plus, they just make me smile. :)

* Does anyone besides Dis and I remember these little packets of colorful, mini-sized Chicklet gum?

17 comments:

Shelley said...

Oh those look so pretty! I love that colorway! You did a fantastic job. I am enjoying doing mine as well - doing them toe-up so I'm just going to keep going up the leg until I run out of yarn and then let the top roll. They feel yummy on, don't they? I like that they're snug.

I do remember those teensie chicklets!

Disentangled said...

Yippy!! They look great :-) Congrats! Now I am going to have to track down some of that gum...

Anonymous said...

Those look great! You're right, the pattern and the yarn are perfectly suited to each other. Your feet look very happy, too.

jillian said...

Success! Those are beautiful - and that pattern is perfectly suited to a super-variegated yarn! And oh yeah - I remember actual Chicklets!

Anonymous said...

Awesomely cute socks! You did a great job!!!

Anonymous said...

The socks are soooo cute! And how could I ever forget Chic-lets! I wonder if they are still sold by people at the T.J. crossing....

dee said...

yay for chicklets! Love those socks... now do you remember the name of the gum with the striped horse on it - or was it a colorful zebra??

Mouse said...

Cute socks! My second pair of handknit socks are still slogging by slowly.
To Dee(the commenter above) It was called "Fruit Stripe Gum" and it was a zebra.. because the gum sticks themselves had little zebra stripes on them.

Nasus said...

Yummy gummy!

Anonymous said...

I love your socks! They make me smile to : D
I remember the mini-sized chicklets!!! Oh, how I love chicklets

Julia (MindofWinter) said...

I love how your socks turned out! I might even make another pair, but perhaps toe-up, short-row heel and ribbed edge. They would be so cute. And yes, I definitely remember the chicklets!

Jennifer said...

Lovely, lovely socks! I will keep those tips in mind, as I have been thinking of knitting them.

mle said...

I love them! The color is awesome! hard to believe all those colors came from one ball of yarn! Good job!

The Stitchin' Sheep said...

congrats. they're perfect.

drea said...

Those are awesome...i love love love you yarn/color choice!

Theresa said...

They make me smile, too. Nice job!

Anonymous said...

They look great! The pattern works nicely with the yarn.