UGH! sock beginner

[rebeccav]

okay, here is the pattern i'm using:
http://home.inreach.com/marthac/ripplesocks.html

it calls for a J hook, but i am using an H in an effort to try and make them smaller.....maybe this is why it doesn't look right?
here are my 2 questions -
SOCKS:
Starting at toe, with black, ch 4, join to form ring, ch 3, work 11 dc in ring, join in top of ch-3.
RND 2: *Skip 1 sc, 5 sc in next sc, repeat from * around.

DO I JOIN BEFORE THE NEXT ROUND??

RND 3 & 4: *Skip 2 sc, 1 sc in next st, 3 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, repeat from * around.

IF I JOIN, I START COUNTING WITH THE STITCH after JOINING??

RND 5: *Skip 2 sc, 1 sc in next st, 5 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, repeat from * around.
RNDS 6 & 7: * Skip 2 sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sts, 3 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 2 sts, repeat from * around.
Repeat Rnds 6 & 7 until there are 11 black stripes, skip 2 sc, sl st in next st, with black ch 12 loosely for heel section, skip 3 points, join ch, cut yarn.

thanks for your help!!!

[MommaChelle]

According to the pattern, it looks like you crochet this in rounds without joining? When she wants you to join, she states it, so if it doesnt say join, I wouldnt join...but I would put a marker on your round to mark the first stitch of each new round.

I hope this helps some!

[Julie]

UGH indeed. It looks like she's only asked to join in two places: at the toe and then to join the chain for the heel opening. I rather like making socks in the round so you don't have a seam, but don't know that I would like having to change colors 'in the round'. I love the ripple though and hope to see them complete! What colors are you using?

[rebeccav]

<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/rofl.gif" />i have no intention of changing colors<img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/sweat.gif" />
i'm using a varigated - bright bright rainbow colors

[Julie]

There you go! I was trying so hard to be optimistic about those color changes, too! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/rofl.gif" /> Thank goodness for multis!!

[Donna]

Yes, yay for multis! I, too, was concerned about making the color changes without joining each round. :thinking2

[SamplerLady]

Socks are generally done in a spiral to avoid any seams in them. They are very easy one you do one! Watch that first sock, just like the first step, it's a doozy! :thinking2

[rebeccav]

chelle and julie -
thank you very much for your help with that pattern. it's workig out great now:clap i'll post another pic later this afternoon on the sock cal. thanks again!!:sheepjump