Many Socktoberists signed up for this project having never knit socks before. Why not join a group where there are hundreds of crafters who can lend a helping hand? a word of encouragement? or some helpful advice (or tutorial?)
My first handknit socks were far from perfect. They were way too big, as I could not regulate my gauge on the double-pointed-needles, and they took me a long time to complete. I have to admit, I was not feeling the sock love while working through my first sock way back when (summer 2005).
It was not until I finished the second sock and slipped them on my feet did I realize the allure of the handcrafted sock!
With each sock I have made over the last year, I have enjoyed the process more and more. Bonne Marie often talks about "the magic of the heel turn", and you know what? it still gets me every time!
There are new sock crafters and experienced ones gathering in this virtual space to share our love of handcrafted socks (I say handcrafted as we have many sock crocheters in the bunch as well!) I am very excited to see this broad range of crafting, and if one of the sock crocheters out there is willing to share, I would love to learn more about the technique!
Several of the beginners among us have shared their desire to learn more about what sock patterns, needles, hooks, and yarns work well and stand the test of time. There are many experienced sock crafters who have great information to share, and I encourage you to do so!
- When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
- What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
- What would you have done differently?
- What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
- Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
- Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
- How many pairs have you made?
Feel free to answer one (or all!) of these questions, here in the comment section or on your own site. Feel free to share pictures too! I will do the same in the coming days. The Socktoberfest Flickr group is a great place for the non-bloggers among us to share their work, and to receive feedback. If you do in fact choose to answer these questions on your own site, please leave a comment here to direct others to your page. Plus, click around and meet some new friends! Our group is so large and diverse - Socktoberfest is being celebrated on all of the continents! (okay, not Antartica… still waiting for that one…)
I find it very interesting to learn more about your personal craft history – share your sock making experiences with us all. We can all benefit and learn from each other, beginners and advanced crafters alike.
[...] A Socktoberfest questionnaire: [...]
Yay, Socktoberfest! I’ve answered these puppies here.
count me in…on the blog — http://www.insubordiknit.com
My answers are at my blog, as well as what I decided to focus on…
http://tapmouseknits2.blogspot.com
Though I’ve been knitting for 40+ years, I only attempted my first sock two years ago. Now I am seriously hooked. I still wear my first pair of Sokotta socks done on dp. The foot is a bit loose. I discovered I like my socks snug and so usually go down one needle size for the foot only. Now I use two circs, usually top down with heel flap. I plan on trying a short row heel for Socktober Fest ’06. Turning the heel is just magical! Kitchener is not so intimidating if you work a “sock chimney” in a contrasting color, but my favorite toe is the round toe.
To all the newbie sock knitters….shawls, sweaters, scarves, booties and hats will come and go, but socks are forever!
Great Questions!! I posted my answers in my blog here.
I love knitting socks! I started a couple of years ago. I learned from a variety of books, plus some help from a number of websites. My first pair (made with Germantown worsted wool obtained on eBay) look a little funny–my gauge tightened up after the gusset on the first one, so it’s a little narrower than the other (I made an effort to relax on the second one). The toes have this funny stovepipe look, and somehow I managed to kitchener in purl on one of them (?). But they are recognizable as socks, and they still make me so happy when I wear them!
Since then, I’ve made 10 pair for myself, 1 pair for the b/f, and who-knows-how-many for CIC. Socks provide such an opportunity to be creative, and you can never have too many! On my blog I have pics of the Halloween socks I designed for myself last year, plus some instructions (not really a pattern, tho’) for anyone who would like to make a pair: http://www.carolslunaticcafe.blogspot.com. Come and visit!
What fun! My answers are on my blog. I’m a new blogger–I hope you’ll go take a look!
My answers are on my blog. I’m pretty new to socks, but it was still fun to look back at how I got started!
Reading all the stories is cutting into my sock knitting time! But they are great so keep posting them everyone. Mine is here:
http://susanknitting.blogspot.com/2006/10/and-socks-continue.html
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 making socks in 2001, after 9-11. Why then? I’m not sure, but I know I was thinking a lot about taking more time to pay attention to the details in life instead of just blazing through. A friend of mine was having a good time knitting socks, and I vaguely remembered that I used to enjoy knitting when I was younger. It was like riding a bicycle to remember how to knit. Socks just seemed like IT to me, because I’ve had this addiction to collecting socks for a long time. Not just any socks, either, they had to be nice, good fabric, not acrylic, not saggy, not itchy. Finding the perfect socks has always been difficult, so why not learn how to make my own? They could be whatever colors I wanted, whatever patterns I liked. I quickly became addicted. Seriously addicted. Now I knit other things too, but mostly socks.
What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?
What would you have done differently?
My first pair was made out of wool that felted when I washed them, so now they’re super small slipper-like socks. Yes, they’ve held up well, but I can’t really wear them except as slippers. I learned that when wool says “hand wash,” it usually means it. They were really fun and rewarding to make, though, so I don’t know if I would have done anything differently.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I really had a soft spot for Opal for the first few years of knitting socks, but lately I’ve been more obsessed with hand dyed yarns, either randomly dyed or self striping. I’m in love with Socks that Rock, Vesper, Knitterly Things. I love poking around and have many from small business yarn creators on my wish list. Right now it’s not getting much better than Vesper sock yarn though. YUM.
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
Just 5 DPNs for me and I’m set. That other stuff is too fancy for me.
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
Flap, but only because it’s what I know right now.
How many pairs have you made?
25? I’m not sure. At least 25. Yeah. Something like that.
Mine are here. I’ve been having a great time reading everyone else’s answers, too. This is so much fun!
As a long time knitter who only recently conquered socks I am now totally addicted to making socks! Read about my “sock knitting journey” on my blog.
Thanks for Socktoberfest! I’ve answered your your questions on my blog. I didn’t realize how many pairs of socks I’ve made since I started knitting them!
These are great! I love reading about all the shared experiences. I took a crack at the questions myself and posted my first Socktoberfest FO on my blog:
http://stitchwitch.wordpress.com
I’m a little late to the party, but I answered on my blog, here.
I’ve really enjoyed reading so many people’s histories!
When did you start making socks? What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?
I started about ten years ago…self taught. I knit my first pair in a hospital waiting room, during a very lengthy surgery my husband was having. It was toe-up, following Wendy’s Generic Toe Up sock pattern and I was so thrilled that it was going well that I forgot to STOP increasing at the toe and ended up with mushroom shaped socks – LOL! It was some Regia self-striping yarn, and they held up well but (also because of my excitement and eagerness to finish) I didn’t make the foot long enough and they never really fit well. So that answers what I would have done differently
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Like millions of others around the sock world, I love STR yarn (my daughter got me hooked) I only recently tried Opal and like that, too. A few years ago I bought some Froehlick Wolle Special Blauband and do you know, I think that is highly undervalued sock yarn! Sock and wears like iron. Lots of friends who do amazing hand painted yarns. AND I spin my own, from my own sheeps wool…that is my favorite!
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
Don’t like crochet. Recently learned the Magic Loop method and it has its place in my life, but bamboo DPN’s are still by far my favorite.
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
Depends on what I am planning to use the sock for. I like the fit of short row, but in my boot socks, I like the flap.
How many pairs have you made?
Long ago lost count, but I can tell you there are three pairs on the needles right now, and I finished two other pairs over the weekend
More about my sock knitting and spinning can be seen at my blog: http://serenity-farms.blogspot.com
Great questions! My answers are at http://mayoiknits.blogspot.com.
I answered the questions on my blog…
I’m finally getting around to posting. No blog of my own, but will try to check in here as much as possible. I will be knitting my first pair of socks…notice the “will be” I have my yarn, cast on twice, and ripped out when I realized it was too tight. This time I will cast on in size 4 for size 1 needles and see if that will work. …I don’t see any special cast-on instructions in the myriad of patterns I’ve checked. Have been using the twisted german cast-on, is there a better one to try? I’m trying to make the bayerische sock from eunny knits blog. Wish me luck! Terrie
Okay. I just answered these on my blog:
http://www.pappergank.com/blacksheep/2006/10/05/socktoberfest/
I finally answered on my blog, too!
http://trickswithsticks.typepad.com/tricks_with_sticks/
I got back into knitting earlier this year after many years’ break. At about the same time my mother complained that she could no longer get interesting socks to fit her increasingly large feet, so I thought I’d try socks and if I enjoyed it I’d knit her some.
My first pair were Jaywalkers (talk about jumping in at the deep end!) on a set of four needles, not the five recommended, which meant that I was forever shuggling stitches from one needle to another to allow for the increases and decreases in the pattern (you have to have been there, really!). Despite this I enjoyed the experience.
In March I knitted a more ordinary pair from the Opal free pattern for my mother and sent them to her. She went into rhapsodies and requested a “drawerful”. I decided this must be ten pairs and am just completing the tenth pair now (suffering a little from twentieth sock syndrome ;^>. They are all different, some with variegated yarns (Opal mostly), some hand-dyed, some plain yarn and fancy stitch. I didn’t take photos because as soon as a pair was finished I just posted them straight to my delighted mother.
As this sockathon comes to a close I thought I’d join Soctoberfest to celebrate. I’ve decided to knit socks for almost everyone else for Christmas, too …
Hi Everyone! I have been knitting socks for about 10 years. I taught myself as I have done with all things in knitting. My favorite sock book is Folk Socks by Nancy Bush. That is what I used to learn and I still refer to her excellent recipe for making a sock. Her other designs are always favorites as well. I learned with good ol’ cuff down socks with a heel flap and round heel. I can knit then without thinking, without a pattern, without worry-I just pick up the yarn, get a feel for the gauge and cast on. I also like DPN’s though I’ve become proficient in all the other methods so I can teach them. It is wonderful that there are so many option and I encourage all knitters to try all the methods. One will click for you. I have made two socks on two circs at the same time, and that was satisfying, but arduous. I actually prefer just the simple pleasure of a familiar cuff-down. That said, I have extensively explored the toe-up methods and have become familiar enough with that architecture that I am starting to like it equally as well as cuff-down. I have used the short-row toe and heel but really enjoyed the Widdershins pattern in the latest Knitty. http://www.knitty.com It is a toe up sock that uses a reverse flap-style heel. It fits really well. So, check out my blog at http://www.knittinginspiration.blogspot.com to see how many of my orphaned socks I can get mated by the end of the month!
I’ve answered on my blog. Fun questions! Enjoyed the trip down memory lane…
When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
My grandmother tought me to knit when I was about 6 or 7. I guess I was about 10 when I tried to knit my first pair of socks. It was a disaster, full of holes *ha, ha*
What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?
My very first pair did not held up at all… But the first pair I knitted after I understood how to knit socks did last for a while.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I love both Regia and Opal yarns. In Norway we also have “Raggegarn”, it’s not so much fun knitting from….
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I haven’t tried crochet socks yet. It was one of my goals in Summer of Socks but I didn’t get to that. But I’m definitely going to try it! I knit all my socks on dpns. The latest I tried was to knit toe up socks. I’ll try that again soon!
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I’m easy to please… I do what’s said in the pattern *he, he*
How many pairs have you made?
Many, many!!! So far this year I’ve knitted 23 pairs. At the moment I’ve got two pairs on my needles and I’m going to knit “a few” pairs for Christmas presents.
Hooray! Blog fodder!
Ahh, I have something to post about now! I will be answering on my blog soon!
Thanks!!
I posted the answers on my blog.
I’m awfully late to this party, but wanted to let you know I answered the questions here.
What a great idea to have themed weeks
I posted the answers to the questions on my blog as well.
I posted it on my blog – so Here’s my answers!
This is going to be fun
I have posted my answers on my blog.
Here are my answers at my blog. Please come take a look!
http://yeahiknit.blogspot.com/2006/10/socktoberfest-my-sock-history.html
I posted my answers on my blog as well.
answers on the blog
I’m going to give the full sock saga on my blog, but I think the most important thing is that, just a year ago, I was afraid to knit socks. Now I am addicted! Mama’s, don’t let your girls grow up to be sock knitta’s…
I’ve got a full response posted on my (very new) blog, along with a picture of my very awful first sock. This sock was so bad that I didn’t knit socks again for a very long time. However, then I saw a really great pattern and tried again a couple of months ago. These socks came out great as have every pair I’ve knit since. If I can keep going after the first (very bad) sock that I knit and make good ones next anyone can.
I posted my responses on my blog:
http://theravelledsleave.blogspot.com/2006/10/socktoberfest-2006.html
Loved the questions. I posted answers on my blog.
Here’s mine!
I’ve posted answers plus finished a pair of socks!
I posted my responses on my blog…
http://librarian-in-training.blogspot.com
Hi everyone! I posted my answers on my blog. Can’t wait to cruise through everyone else’s responses and see what you’re up to!
I just finally got around to posting my answers for this
I wanted to say thanks for sponsoring Socktoberfest again this year – it’s inspired me to finish all my ‘second socks’ to the ones I’ve knit!
What fun! Everyone’s answers are great.
I’ve posted my answers to my blog.
This is so much fun! I’ve also posted my answers to my blog.
Finally posted my answers! I was surprised I’d knit 17 pairs! Its the first time I’ve totalled them up.
I’m a sock newbie.
I’ve posted my answers on my blog too.
Thanks so much for hosting Socktoberfest! I’m having so much fun reading everyone’s comments, histories, etc. I have posted my history answers on my blog, http://knottykittyknits.blogspot.com. I am new to sock-knitting, so my history doesn’t go back too far! LOL! I’m also new to blogging, so please leave a comment and say hello if you stop by!