When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class? I started knitting socks pre-blogging. Hence there is no "new" picture of my first pair, only one after they have been warn over and over and over for an entire winter. I took a class in 2005. I am very glad that I took the class, because I had the idea that socks were going to be difficult to knit. And the class broke them up into 4 easy steps and proved they were easy. and fun. and that I have a lot more common sense than some other knitters (in said class).
What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time? My first pair was a cuff-down 2x2 ribbing with a heel flap knit out of fair-isle style self striping Fortissima Socka. Honestly, I picked the yarn because I liked the colors, I had no idea that it was going to make a fake fair-isle pattern. I love them because they are my first pair, and warm, and comfy, but I dont prefer the fair isle style yarn, and tend to choose other yarns instead. The yarn has held up well, despite repeated machine washings.
What would you have done differently? Nothing. I am happy with my first sock knitting experience.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed? I really enjoy hand painted yarns. I especially love the feel of Koigu, Sundara Yarns and Cabin Cove. I really like the look of the Lorna's Lace Shepherd Sock, but I don't love that I like the way it knits up better on size one needles than on my preferred size two's. I really want to try Socks That Rock and Sock Hop this year. I think all of the yarn I just mentioned are basically hand wash only. My favorite superwash sock yarn is Trekking XXL. THIS is my favorite Trekking colorway.
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method? I save crocheting for other items, I really like to KNIT socks. I usually use NONE of the methods listed above. I use a 12 inch Addi turbo for most sock knitting, it makes the knitting go REALLY fast. When knitting some lace patterns, I use bamboo or metal DPN's, cause they are sharper and make the patterns easier to knit.
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?) Probably just because I learned it first, I prefer the process of the heel flap. Sometimes I would rather have the look of the short row though. Same with the top down/toe up thing: I think I like knitting top down better because I learned that way. (Or, it might be because it feels like I am knitting FOREVER on the leg when doing toe-up socks.)
How many pairs have you made?
Great question. I'm not sure, but I vow that for socktober, I will finally get around to making a Knitted Things I wish I Had Kept Finished Socks Album, so I can count them up and enjoy all of the FO photos in one place. I would say it is more than 5 pairs, but less than 25. (Check back soon for a final count.)
Hmmm - a 12" addi, huh? Does your sock "stretch" around it to make it a tube? I would think it would be too long....I may have to try it! The STR and Lornas are both superwash and I think the Sock Hop may be also - I really want to try that one also!
Posted by: stacey | October 06, 2006 at 08:46 AM
That's a really interesting set of answers :)
Posted by: mrspao | October 07, 2006 at 09:11 AM