I don't even wear sox...until the temp goes below 10. You can still buy "leg paint"...works like magic to hide all the stuff, have really scrub with soap and water to get it off. I remember when stockings came in sizes...I wore an 8 1/2 long. Seamless hose were cheaper than those with seams which were "full fashioned"....shaping at the ankle....so until they invented stretch nylon, sometime about mid to late 50's, seamless hose always bagged at the ankle. Never wore a "corset" to hold them up...wore a garter belt for a while than got "suspants" which were a stretchy under panty with garters attached....but the hose pulled them down. So even though I was about 98 pounds, and 15 I wore a panty girdle, kept the stockings up and didn't slide down. Remember those "window pane heels? And you could get stockings in regular, demi toe and non reinforced heel or barefoot, for wearing with sandals. And the "cheap" girls sometimes work stockings with clocks up the side....or even sequins!! Stockings, although rather expensive were sensible because if you ran one leg the other was still fine...if you always bought the same color. The first panty hose were not stretchy...not VERY stretchy and bagged and were expensive....saved only for special occasions and a short dress. I think the first stretchy panty hose were Leggs. From girdles and garters to bare legs we've come a long way....bring it on! Linda C

Robin, you have been given some great advice, especially checking your gauge, which none of us like to do! If a pattern calls for casting on more stitches, but has a pattern to it, especially a cable, try it anyway. Cables take up stitches, or pulls the stitches tighter, similar to ribbing, so it takes more stitches to fit the same. Also, measure your foot from the back of your heel to the tip of your toe. Subtract 2 inches. That is how long you need to knit the foot before you start your decreases for the toes. The decreases will take up about 2 inches. That is how you get the socks to fit your feet in length, no matter what the pattern says. As long as you get it to fit around with the right number cast on, you can make the foot as long or as short as you need to. I use Ann Norling's Basic Adult Sock pattern. It has multiple cast ons for different weights of yarn. I cast on 72 for my fluffy legs and decrease to 68 at the ankle so the foot fits right. For my DH, I cast on 72 and do that to the end with only decreases at the toe. All on size 2 needles. Cables are not hard as long as you mark your rows and pay attention. And the needle thingy you need is called cable needle! I have used a double point needle and a size 1 crochet hook in a pinch! Hmmmm, a tooth pick, too, once! Tami

Thank you for the link Tami, I bookmarked it. In fact I may cast on in a bit and try it lol. I wanted so bad to do a toe up sock last year so I tried it, the one I knitted was really pretty and it's a crying shame I couldn't get it on my foot past my heel lol, so when I try it again I must remember to cast off very very loose ;0) I haven't timed myself like you did but I can tell you that I finished both those socks see: The one on the long cable needles I finished Tuesday and the one on the dpn's I finished yesterday afternoon. It takes me longer to rib them all the way down too, but I think the magic loop method is faster by a hair lol. ;0) I have a bunch of dpn's and all of them are the metal ones except for two sets, (I bought a size 8 dpn for hats) and these, I like them because of the warmth too Tami and I'm finding that they get better every time I use them I guess the lanolin in the wool is making them slick. Thank you Lori, I still crochet too but I just thought I'd learn something new to keep my brain from going into dry rot lol. Who knew I'd like it so much - I sure didn't figure on that but I absolutely love knitting. Thanks Mallory, I think it's more a Gemini personality trait than talent myself but I accept every compliment I can get lol. Nodakgal, you can send me your size if you want to but I'm not real sure you'd get a pair of socks that match hehehe. I have at least 4 socks knit up and not one of them has a mate yet ;0) (They will eventually lol, they are just dancing solo at the moment) Sheilajoyce you have to tell me what these bed socks look like, have you got a picture? They sound very warm and comfy ;0)

I'd just stuff it with whatever you have on hand. You can drive yourself crazy obsessing over clean/not so clean/lightly cleaned. They are great pincushions btw, and no one is going to know what is inside besides you!! I drive myself crazy with my cross-stitch. I know no one is going to know that I put the wrong color on that stitch, but I have to make it right by golly!! Years later of course, I couldn't tell you where I made the mistake if my life depended on it. Since you have roving, do you spin? My wheel is calling me as we speak, from inside a closet!! I have dog hair I need to do for a friend. Soon, soon!