I don’t know if I’m looking for advice or just sympathy here. I’ve frogged my Jaywalkers (only my 2nd pair of socks) 4 times now! I started with the smallest size on Size 2 (3.0 mm) DPNs and the ribbing was too loose, but the pattern portion was too tight. I couldn’t get it over my foot!
I frogged and started over with the ribbing on Size 1 (2.5 mm) but went to the next size up (adding 8 stitches). Then I worked some of the pattern on my Size 2 (3.0 mm) needles again. This time both the ribbing AND the pattern portion were too loose.
I think part of the problem is that I have a very long, narrow foot and skinny leg. So it’s hard to get the pattern portion over my long foot if it’s the right size for my leg.
Why didn’t I do the swatch? Well I can’t figure out how to do the zigzag pattern flat, so I just figured my sock would be the swatch. I ripped the sock 2 more times due to just being a general dumbass.
Now I’m ready to start again. I’m going to go back to the smallest size, do the ribbing on Size 1 (2.5 mm) needles, and the pattern portion on Size 3 (3.25 mm) needles.
I’m using Knitpicks Essential, colorway meadow multi, which is dark brown, bright green, and fuchsia. Online it looked more purple than fuchsia but it is still pretty. I picked it because it was in my stash (I don’t have much of a stash). Anyway, feel free to commiserate or offer advice. (Like, “do a swatch, donkey-brain!”) :mrgreen:
I’ll post a progress pic if I ever get past the half unwound ball of raggedy, curly yarn phase. Sigh.
You might consider fewer stitches on the ribbing and increasing the number of stitches for the pattern.
You have my sympathy, I have the opposite problem slender ankles and foot and muscular calves. I have even had to decrease a few stitches after the ribbing in order to not have floppy socks around my ankle.
I wear a size 12 or 13 man’s shoe depending on the brand and style. I also have normal sized ankles attached to those Yeti sized feet. It took a little trial and error to make socks fit, but it can be done.
I feel your pain! I frogged my jaywalkers three times before I finally decided to just do my favorite standard cuff with 60st in 1x1 twisted ribbing. On the first row after the ribbing I increased to 76st then started the pattern on the following row. Hope this helps!
Mason I wear a size 11 ladies… I’m 5’10", and yes I can water ski barefoot.
OK so far things are going well, I have a ribbed cuff and one repeat. I’m still at work now (1 more hour!!!) but when I get home I’ll post a pic.
I had to get the other ball of yarn out, the first one was looking so tattered at the end. I really did frog that sock 6 times. The first time I cast on last night, I had to put the sock down on the first row. When I picked it back up I was distracted and started knitting backwards or upside down or something. After a few mins I had 3 rows on one needle and one on the other side of the sock. I noticed when I got to the join and it was at the left end of the needle instead of the right. I have NO FREAKIN IDEA how I managed that. The stitches weren’t twisted or anything. Maybe I picked it up upside down? Leave it to me to find a novel way of screwing up.
Hopefully if I make the whole sock with some leftover from the first ball, I can just cut the tattered end off the second ball.
Wow, what a nightmare! I have to admit I probably would have thrown them against the wall by now and gone on to something else. I admire your perseverance. I’ve heard several people say they had the devil of a time with their Jaywalkers – what is it about that pattern?
OK, the first repeat is done. Here’s a pic for the colors. After I get 2 more repeats, I’ll make sure it will go over my foot and then hopefully I’ll be on track.
