I've really gotten back into knitting socks lately and when I saw this sock meme on blue garter, I decided to join in (although I took forever to actually write this post, so I'm weeks behind her post!). I've really changed my sock knitting process lately, so the answers have changed a lot in the last couple of months!
When did you first learn to knit socks?
The timing is a little fuzzy. I think about 3 years ago, when I was still a new-ish knitter. I learned using Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks. I learned how to do two socks at once from 2-at-a-Time Socks, although they only show how to do top down (easy enough to figure out toe up though).
What’s the first sock you ever knit?
Simple ribbed socks
Favorite Sock Pattern?
Bloody Mary Socks - easy pattern, but it did really cool things when my yarn started to pool.
Favorite needle method?
Two socks at once on one circular. Always toe-up - I've found that no matter how loosely I cast on or what method I use, if I knit top-down the socks are uncomfortably tight at the top. Besides, I like trying the socks on as I'm knitting them.
Favorite sock needles?
Knitpicks Harmony 40" in US #1 size. Addi Naturas are my preferred needles for everything else, but I managed to put a permanent kink in the cable in the #1 Naturas that I bought for sock knitting right after I bought them. No problems with kinking with the Harmonies.
Who do you knit socks for?
Only for myself. I'm thinking about knitting some for my sisters for Christmas, but we'll see. I tried to turn my latest sock knitting project into something for Tim, but he didn't like the color.
How many pairs have you knitted to date?
I think around 10 pairs. My first pair already has a hole in them, but they were knit at much too loose of a gauge.
What is on your sock knitting to-do list?
- Try to keep up with my Yarn Pirate Booty Club Yarns (doing well so far!)
- Use up my sock yarn stash (ha! as if it's even possible)
- Put together a list of patterns that I want to work on that I can convert to toe-up
What kind of socks do you like to knit-
Striped? Not really, except for yarns that are kind of self-striping
Colorwork? Haven't tried it, not sure that I will. I like stretchy socks and colorwork is sort of... not stretchy.
Plain Stockinette? For specific types of yarn where I can't get any other pattern to work.
Cabled? Haven't tried, other than really basic cables - I'm not a fan of thick socks, so I don't think cabled socks would be that wearable for me.
Lace? I've tried in the past and will probably make more - but mostly simple lace.
Anklets? I only really wear anklets for working out and wouldn't wear hand knit socks for that!
Knee Socks? Not really. I don't think I have the attention span for this
Solid colors? Not so much - I really like hand-dyed yarns.
Bright and crazy? Sure, why not?
Faux Fair Isle (the yarn doing all of the work)? Not so much
Right now, my main sock criteria is that it needs to be easy, because socks are my bus knitting project. That means no charts to follow and easy to drop in the middle of a row if needed. This limits my options, but it actually has me enthusiastic about sock knitting again.
Tag a few sock knitters here: anyone who wants to talk about their sock knitting!
I need to get back into knitting socks...I have one pair that stumped me and I can't quite get back on the needles again.
Posted by: jessica | September 24, 2008 at 06:52 PM