When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I was taught to knit by the uber-talented Jenn. We worked together at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. She made the most amazing Fair Isle sweaters as bridesmaid gifts, and brought one in to show me. I was completely in awe, and decided to learn to knit. Jenn is a wonderful teacher, and embraces my "jump in with both feet" attitude. Lesson one was a scarf that I made for my daughter for Christmas. Lesson two was a hat on DPNs. From there it was easy to go on to socks.
What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
My first pair was a pair of house socks made with Red Heart varigated yarn in worsted weight. They were featured on my blog here. They have held up wonderfully, possibly because I haven't worn them. I remember being completely amazed that they actually fit me, and it was fun to watch them materialize.
What would you have done differently?
Absolutely nothing. They fit, and I will use them this winter.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I have used Trekking, Cascade Fixation, Bollicino (100% superwash merino), and Cotton Comfort. I really like the Trekking, even though it can be tricky to match the stripes. I really like identical socks, and I'm not so crazy about fraternals, unless the striping pattern changes so frequently that it isn't that noticible. I really like self-striping sock yarn. I didn't like the Cascade socks that much. The Bollicino made wonderfully soft socks, that is what I used to assassinate Lisa. I am going to knit a pair for myself. The Cotton Comfort was the yarn she was using to make the socks for her target, and I finished them. I liked the colorway a lot, and I think they would wear really well.
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I knit my socks. Up until I took over Lisa's socks, I had only used DPNs to knit them. She was using the Magic Loop, and so I gave it a try. I liked it a lot, and I'll use it again. I want to try the 2 socks on 2 circs method. I recently read an article on Knitty about using a double knitting method to knit two socks at the same time - one inside the other. How cool is that??
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
Hands down - heel flap! I especially like the eye of the partridge heel. I think it gives the sock a lot of character. I was never a clog wearer, until I knitted my socks and wanted to show them off! I think that an attactive heel is key.
How many pairs have you made?
I have made three pairs for myself, one pair for Cindy,one of the Knit Chicks, for pollyana last year, a pair for Lisa, and a third of a pair for Lisa's target, also named Lisa. I currently have two pair on the needles - my red white and blue trekking socks that I started for Trek Along With Me, and a gorgeous pair of mauve varigated. TRHM's oldest requested a pair of socks after he saw my Sock Wars socks, so I will have to start a pair for him, too.
1 comment:
I'm not much of a joiner, but I couldn't resist Socktoberfest! Especially since I already had 3 pairs done in October (children's and large gauge so it's not as much as it sounds like).
Enjoy Socktober!
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