Knitting and other Creative Endeavors

[Matterhorn Fan]

OK, the great (sensational?) sock project...

I have sock yarn, and I've got metal needles--a set of 5. The now-unravelled sock (I'll get to that) was a beast to cast on. I hated that. I'm *this close* to trying the 2 circular needle method.

I did fine (though I realize now that I was making my own pattern up) until I got to the heel flap. Instructions for the heel flap were only a partial problem. The book said to always slip as if to purl, I assumed that meant that I needed the yarn in front, and I realized my sock didn't look like the one in the picture. No biggie, I liked the look, but about 12 rows in (out of 32) I realized that it wouldn't be comfortable to walk on. So I tried a few rows the right way, and that was way better.

So I decided to go back to the beginning of the heel flap to redo it. I mean, it's just 14 rows, right?

Stupid me, I decided to unravel and then get the needle back into the loops instead of unknitting. There was my big mistake. I never got all the stitches back on correctly, the yarn was splitting, etc. In a fit of frustration I unraveled the whole thing and balled the yarn back up.

I bought 2 size 2 circular needles at JoAnn's this afternoon (maybe casting on will be easier with only 2 needles?). Well, they're not the same size as the double points (2.75 mm v. 3 mm). And looking at them now, they're not as sharp, either, which I know will bug the crapola out of me. I think I'll return these to JoAnn's (unless someone can convince me before I get a chance to go back).

So, I need casting on advice. Once I got going I was fine, but the top part looked a bit loopy and casting on took forever--is this just how it is?

I'm confused about picking up gusset stitches, but obviously I haven't gotten there yet, and it might make perfect sense once I'm on that row.

Oh--and I started with the first one in the book, the 4-stitch ribbing patterns. When I restart, I'll either do the non-sensational "Garter Rib" (p.37) or the "Elongated Corded Rib," which looks less boring and still easy. I totally would've done the silly class sock to get the techniques quickly, but it seems lame to buy needles for a practice sock (and that I'd most likely never use again). I'm terrible at returning things to stores. We'll see what happens to the needles I bought this afternoon--I would, after all, like my $11 back.

Wow, um...long winded.