Sock Update

Quick update on sock progress.

Since I couldn't get hold of any short dpns I had to buy long ones. I didn't think this would be too much of a problem as when I knit I tuck one needle under my right arm for stability. I couldn't see how I was going to manage on short needles - especially using 5 at once! This is how far I got using the long dpns:

I was doing ok but they did keep sticking me in the stomach, and when the 'shorts' arrived I was amazed at how much easier it was and I soon got the hang of balancing them all. For some reason my sock is knitting up inside out. I checked out an online video and the person knitting looked like she was doing it sort of upside down and back to front! I guess that I'm the one doing it the wrong way round but it seems to be ok.

I managed to get to the end of the heel flap and then got stuck when turning the heel. My pattern had a 4 row repeat for the heel turn but I couldn't do the repeat as I ran out of stitches. I posted a question to the lovely, helpful people on the forums at Angel Yarns and was quickly advised that I only needed to do rows 3 and 4 as a repeat. This then made perfect sense! Unfortunately I had pulled back the heel and most of the heel flap too as I'd convinced myself I'd done that wrong as well. Oh ye of little faith! The heel flap was fine! Still, it gave me extra practice!

I managed to turn the heel and pick up and knit my stitches for the gussets. The pattern then told me to redistribute my stitches over the 4 needles again. I did this but ended up with my working thread halfway along a needle - hmmm? Another question to the forum and I was soon sorted again! Now I'm just short of the toes:

(Please excuse my foot!)

How exciting - I've nearly finished my first sock! I'm pretty pleased at how it's going and think I'm doing ok for a novice. Can't wait to start the next one (how long till 'second sock syndrome' sets in I wonder??)

Edit: For the finished article see this post.

Sock Update