I Can't Knit Socks

Fairly new to knitting, the ever popular knitted sock continues to frustrate and confuse me.

Monday, August 18, 2008

I am participating in my first sock swap, which is a huge deal for someone who can't knit socks. Its Harry Potter themed and I just couldn't resist. I figure I will just have to bite the bullet, buckle down and learn to knit socks. I plan on knitting my little fingers off until I get it right and produce a pair of socks that my pal will be proud to wear.
I started shopping for yarn as soon as I got my pal, Gabrielle Lovegoods, and found out that she was a Ravenclaw and wanted socks that were HP themed and not in house colors. I chose some Lorna's Laces in the color way Starry Night. The colors are based on Monet's painting, Starry Night, but I felt like the colors and the name worked well with the HP theme. The yarn is beautiful and the colors remind me of something Dumbledore would wear. I hope Gabrielle likes them.
This is where I am as of tonight. This is after multiple attempts and casting on over and over again. Different problems snag me up each time and the stitches and needles are so small, that I have a hugely difficult time ripping back to the mistake and then moving on. I end up ripping it all out and starting over. Any suggestions?
Here is the detail work :) I am proud of myself for trying something other than basic stockinette. I know it probably doesn't look like a big deal to most, but to me its a lot. I love how it is turning out. The pattern is Dublin Bay Socks, which is a free patern that I found on Ravelry. I think it kind of looks like stars . . . maybe I'm reaching a little on that one.

Wish me luck with this project. I will try to keep you posted.