I was going through Ms. Z's sock drawer a few days ago, removing the too small socks, figuring out how many of her socks had mates (it is not unusual for socks to go missing these days) and was reminded that she no longer has any warm wooly socks. While she has a lovely assortment of colors (courtesy of Baby Gap), none of them are snuggly the way I think baby socks should be. Clearly this was a job that Mommy the Knitter needed to tackle.
Like most of y'all, every time I finish a sock project for myself, I have some yarn left over. Not enough to do much with in terms of an adult sock, but enough to become a significant component in a pair of baby socks. For this sock, the foot is Sock Hop "Say a Little Prayer" and the top is Shelridge Farm Soft Touch Ultra -- both leftovers from recent and not so recent sock projects. To make the socks a little more interesting, and a little more girly, I added the two color motif at the top of the sock and the picot edging. The edging needs to be folded over and sewn down, but for little socks, these finishing details don't take too long. The seam will also help to make the top a little stiffer and help keep the sock up as well.The other small change I made to these socks (relative to what I do to adult socks) was to add in a decrease row above the ankle and then to increase back up to the initial amount of stitches a few rows later (I worked these socks toe up, but the same would apply top down). This creates another area that helps keep the sock on securely. If one thing is true about toddlers (maybe it is just Z, but I have heard other mothers comment on this as well), they have an amazing ability to find their way out of loose socks. Since the toe has some room to grow (it's approximately the same dimensions as a Baby Gap 12-24 month sock) I wanted to add some extra re-inforcement to keep them in place.
The first fitting went well, so I shall start knitting the second sock pronto! Time and baby feet wait for no knitter.
I LOVE baby socks! My girls have always had at least two pair of handknit socks in their drawer, and they are almost always made from sock leftovers. I do leave a pinch of extra space in the toe for growth - just to make sure they last through the winter on fast-growing toes.
Has Ms. Z learned how to walk with socks on in the house on wood floors? The twins I take care of are 14 months and while they don't hate socks when its chilly, as soon as they want to play on their slide or go wandering, they get upset in a "my feet are broken! Why don't my feet work? FIX IT!" way. and I'm wondering if its just them or all children.
She does fine with socks that have little grippers on the bottom, but hasn't learned to be a little more careful with non-grippered socks. She doesn't love putting them on, but she does love going outside and she knows that she only goes outside if she has shoes and socks on, so she's willing to accept the socks.
I always wonder how much sock yarn everyone has leftover from a pair. Most of the time I have enough for nearly a pair of full size socks (from balls like the Trekking). It's good to know that I'm not too far off!
Those are so cute! Almost as cute as Ms. Z
What a cute sock! That Francie looks an interesting knit too.
I finally got round to knitting some socks based on your Pawprints & Whiskers pattern. What with time constraints (birthday is next week, they had to be mailed today) & yarn available locally they ended up looking more like a Cheshire Cat (hence the 'grin') than my In-Laws' ginger cat, & more Disney than Teniel, but I think they worked out.
I have yet to work out how to do 'hrefs' so here's a link!
http://sharonspix.jonpearse.net/photos//Knitting/Socks/CheshireCatSox.JPG
Yarn available locally was Patons Fairytale dreamtime 4ply in a fairly violent orange, & Regia 'Softy' 4ply sock yarn - which kinda predicated where each was positioned.
Thanks for the pattern. I shall definitely be knitting it again, possibly in black & grey stripes, if I can't find something more appropriate to 'cat coloured' knitting!
For that matter, knitted in fluffy white, maybe with small red hearts around the top, or 'clocked' with gold watches (!) - or one on a flap heel, it could do for the White Rabbit too. "Oh my paws and whiskers!"
Those are so cute! I haven't succeeded in knitting socks of the correct dimensions for my baby. But it's also not as cold here in the Bay Area as Chicago! However, I'm trying to figure out how to knit her mittens for when she goes out in the baby jogger as the weather gets cooler.