Z's First Christmas Ornament
Well, my first baby sock experiment was pretty much an unequivocal failure when it comes to actually being a baby sock. So rather than rip and re-work (I'm just lazy that way, not to mention the fact that I have a fair amount of left over sock yarn to experiment with), I've decided to re-purpose this little sock into a Christmas tree ornament as a memory of Z's first months with us.
Where did I go wrong? Well, I had decided that, since baby socks tend to come off the babies who wear them, that I wanted the sock to have a relatively firm material that would have some give but would generally want to stay where it was put. I accomplished that goal by knitting this Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn on size 0's (which gave me a very firm fabric and about 9 stitches per inch). I also wanted it to have a relatively long leg portion that would hug her leg. The garter stitch cuff was meant to be stretchy at the top, but firm. But when I tried it on her, I discovered that while my size calculations were spot on, the stiffness of the fabric didn't work very well when combined with the length of the leg and cuff of the sock and the relative stiffness of Z's ankle.
So, next time around I'm going to work with larger needles to create a looser fabric, stretchier yarn (Shepherd Sock is a wool/nylon blend and I don't think it has very much give, a 100% merino yarn like Koigu or Socks that Rock might have bee a better choice) or both -- and perhaps a shorter stretch between the ankle and the cuff. I'm going to need to get cracking, because the cool weather has already made an appearance here in Chicago and a baby whose favorite travel method is a Baby Bjorn is going to need to have some extra insulation for her feet.
On the positive side, it was a small sock, so I didn't end up wasting that much time, and I did get to try out that magic toe up cast-on and once I got the hang of it, decided that it was a pretty good deal. It certainly beats the standard provisional cast on that I was doing before for toe-up socks.
Do you think ribbing would make a baby sock stretchy and stay on? I've been pondering that for a bit, but don't have any babies to knit for right now.
sorry, I meant the whole sock be ribbing, cuff down through top of foot. Obviously the late night is making me loopy.
I would also recommend ribbing. And adding a cord. I mad an eyelet-row just above the ankle, pulled a small cord through it and fastened the socks there. A bit of ribbon would also work if you don't like the cord.
It's still cute. Maybe a ribbed sock might do the trick?
100% wool is the way to go, she won't need the strength of nylon until she's putting those feet on the ground.
I love that magic toe-up cast-on (especially the version without a slip knot that can be found here: http://www.persistentillusion.com/blogblog/techniques/magic-cast-on/magic-cast-on-2) and nowadays always start my toe-up socks with it. Glad you found it!
I knitting socks for my little one who is due in January. I'm having a terrible time finding sizes to go by. Would you mind sharing Z's foot measurements?
I just knit a pair of baby socks from a Shibui pattern (with their GORGEOUS sock yarn). Their pattern started with the ribbed cuff on size 1 needles, and moving up to size 2 when you got to the heel flap. This seemed like a good way to actually keep them on the baby.
We must be thinking alike. Check out my project page on Ravelry (my name is FoxInSocks) for a very very similiar little sock! M Go Blue!
I made little socks with ribbing for the legs, and I'm told they worked pretty well. Recently, I've become a fan of Louet's Gem yarn -- merino wool and machine washable (& dryable)
Those who are much more knowledgeable than I am say that this pattern is far better on staying on babies' tootsies than standard socks are. I just made a pair & boy are they cute! The link is to Kim Salazar's blog post, which provides details & links directly to the pattern itself.
http://tinyurl.com/ymmxsr
or for a preview:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/ymmxsr
Baby Ull is the best yarn for baby socks I have ever used. Knit on size 1's, it is very elastic & clings to those baby legs like you wouldn't believe. But it is still very soft & stretchy. I've yet to find another yarn that even comes close. I've thought of using it for socks for myself because of it's elasticity.
I should also have mentioned that I knit them like little crew socks - 1x1 ribbed tops then a few rounds of stockinette before the heel. Standard heel (I think it might stay on better than a short row heel like you made) & plain stockinette foot.
I just this minute tried the Magic Cast On, too. It makes a lovely toe, inside and out, but oh it is fiddly, isn't it!
Something really cheap you can do for babywearing is go to the dollar store and buy a cute pair of Ladies' or girls kneehigh socks. Cut the foot off right above the ankle. Viola! Baby leg warmers! If you have a serger you can finish off the bottoms, but I don't. Look for socks that are pretty much one colour at the ankle....the houndstooth ones I tried had too many loose threads, LOL.
Another tip---put her socks on under her sleepers. Or, get large socks, and put them on over top of her shoes and pant legs. Not classy looking, but works.
Babies have strange, lumpy feet and their socks look very different than ours do. I'd find a baby sock pattern and try that out first, then modify how you want from there.
It's a very cute Christmas Ornament. And she'll love the story behind it when she's older.
Tiny socks are adorable, every time. I love that your repurposing it into an ornament. It will be a wonderful memory when she's all grown up.
And whoda thought that a yarn with nylon would have less give than a yarn without.
I like to make my baby socks with a ribbed cuff, I think they stay up really well. I hope you find something that works for you and baby Z
Can you contact me? I just purchased one of your patterns and am unable to download.
I'm knitting for a 3-year-old now, but I can confirm that the "tinyurl" link above will give a great pair of booties for Baby Z. I made several pair for my DGD when she was small(er). I got the pattern out of the Tips and Trade Secrets book.
I have no experience myself, but I've heard and read great things about using leggings on babies. It closes the gap between the socks that always fall off and the pants that are constantly pulled up by the diaper/sling/kicking legs. Should be a quick and easy knit and great for sockyarn leftovers if you want to test it.