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10/04/2006

Socktoberfest Questions

A sock-theme meme:


When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

I am a fairly new sock knitter. I made my first sock early spring of this year (February? March? It may have been as late as April, but I seem to think it was more like March.) I went to A.C. Moore and picked up a booklet on how to make socks, got my Susan Bates dpn's, a skein of Lion Brand Magic Stripes and taught myself. Oh, was I ever so impressed with that self-striping yarn! That's when I fell in love.

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?

It hasn't actually been that long, so they've held up pretty well! I made a very generic sock, rib cuff, stockinette foot. I didn't know that I prefer them to come up a little higher.

What would you have done differently?

Well, I didn't know how to SSK. I eventually went online and learned from a tutorial (I don't remember which one, but someone refered me to it.) It had excellent video demonstrations, and in no time at all, I was SSK-ing myself. It really makes a vast improvement. So, those first socks it, but a little strangely. Also, I realize I far prefer a lighter yarn, fingerweight instead of DK like Magic Stripes.

Also, with those Susan Bates, I kept dropping stitches. I now have quite a collection of wood needles. My absolute favorite is Brittany Birch.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

I've been in an Opal rut for a while. I just love that you can get so many different colors, and I've found a great supplier on Ebay, selling from Canada. On the needles right now is my first pair of Regia Silk, and I'm in love all over again. Its awfully pricy, but it might be worth it.

I'm itching to try some Lorna's Laces, but the price has put me off. If I think of it as socks, I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money. I've had my finger on the button a couple times, but always chickened out.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?

I love my DPN's. I've toyed with the idea of trying Magic Loop method, but the instructions look so confusing to me. Same with 2 circulars.


Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)

I learned on doing a top down heel flap, and I've always liked it. I would eventually like to try toe-up, just so I can say I've done it. I even have some yarn that I think would be ideal. I just get daunted by the cast on instructions.

How many pairs have you made? About a dozen pair, I think, with 2 more on the needles.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What web site for general instructions for knitting do you recommend? Since I've just recently had access to the internet I am unfamiliar with what ones are good and what ones aren't.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'm seriously impressed! You knitted your first socks right around the time I knitted my first socks, and I've only done 3 pairs in the time you've done a dozen! I'm inspired. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi there!! It's Stefanie V-Chandra's buddy! She is helping me at work and I've enjoyed reading your sight. You are really gifted in knitting!-Keep up the good work!

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