I wasn't terribly happy with the cuffs on the last pair of socks, so I decided to try something different. 

Pattern:  In my googling, I ran across a "waffle" pattern:

Row 1: K2 P2, repeat
Row 2: K2 P2, repeat
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Knit
repeat rows 1-4

So I made 3 waffles across the top of the foot of the sock, and then after the heel I did waffle all around.  

I also finally did a short row toe, which I like a lot better in terms of construction than the magic toe made with increases. I decreased 4 on each side for the short row toe and heel.  Baby socks 2 I only decreased 3 on each side for the heel; I think this one worked out better.

Socks made with 24 stitches in the round.

And here's the result, definitely my favorite pair of socks yet! 

Yarn: Soxx Appeal again.  Made these four baby socks from one skein with tons of yarn left over.  Could probably make 2 more socks.

Needles: US size 2

baby socks 2

Yarn: I didn't like the yarn on the first set of socks. I heard about Knit One Crochet Too Soxx Appeal yarn from the KeyboardBiologist (ie, this post), so I ordered some up. In plum, of course.

When I was first knitting with it I thought it wouldn't work.  I knew it has some elastic in it, which I thought would be good for helping socks stay on, but it took a bit of time to learn to knit with it.  Not too much time; well before I was done with the first sock, the unnaturalness of the stretch was no longer noticeable.

I kept the cuffs close to the top of the ankle, hoping that would help them stay on, but I don't think it helped.

Baby socks 1 pics

Here are some more pics of the baby socks.

baby socks 1

Here's my first (successful) attempt at socks.

Started: Jan 16, 2012

Completed: Jan 20, 2012

Yarn: I used some Joann's yarn.  In the end I didn't like the feel of it, and resolved not to knit with cheap yarn any more.  (I seem to have to keep making that resolution, though.  Cheap yarn is so, well, cheap!)

Needles: US size 2

Toe: I started trying to use Wendy's toe up sock pattern which uses short rows for the toes, but it was too complicated at first. So for these socks I used Judy's magic cast on for the toe.  In the end I wasn't entirely happy with the way it looked so as you'll see I tried short rows again on later socks.

Heel: For the heel I went back to Wendy's toe up sock pattern, but I was still having trouble.  A quick google search lead me to the short row tutorial at cosmicpluto knits, from which I was finally successful.  I was so excited that I finally got something that looked like a heel!

Ribbing: The top ribbing is K2P2.  I forget which cast off I used.  

Welcome to Gwen's Needles

I've started knitting a lot again.  I've found time for it while breastfeeding my third child and while watching the older two play happily by themselves.

I started on some easy projects.  Well, not so easy at first, but fast.  I taught myself how to make socks, using a short row heel and toe.  I also tried the magic cast on.

Turns out baby socks are super fast because they are so small.  And they're totally useful, as store bought socks all seem to be too short and too fat for my daughter's feet!

I've made three pairs of baby socks, sized for the 2-month-old and under.  Now I'm working on some socks for my 2-year-old son and daughter.  (Yes, they're twins.)