Oct 07 2006
Getting Around To It
I posed some sock knitting history questions to you this week, and I finally got around to answering them for myself! Thank you for posting your answers here and on your various blogs - I have really enjoyed reading the answers and learning more about you, your knitting style, and your techniques. It is quite fascinating!
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 my first sock on July 4th, 2005, at a Bowie Baysox minor league baseball game. See?
I jumped right in after months and months of watching friends (specifically Margene) churn out the amazing socks. I fell in love with this Trekking colorway #101 at my LYS, and found an easy pattern to correspond. I was intimidated by DPNs at the time, so I started my sock on a 12" Addi Turbo circular needle. It actually worked well, but as I made it to the heel turn, I switched to double pointed needles.
What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
Trekking XXL #101 socks, mentioned above. They took me about 6 or 7 weeks to complete. Actually sock 1 took me that long, and then sock 2 only took me a week - I was ready to have a finished pair on my feet! The socks have been worn several times, and while they are still sturdy, they show the signs of wear: Trekking seems to "fuzz".
It's not awful, and they are still wearable, but the fuzz began to form after a few wears, even when wearing clogs, or shoes with backs. There is also fuzz on the instep, and under the ball of the foot. I had to reknit the toe on sock 2 after the stitching came out. I have not worn them as much lately (they have competition in the sock drawer now!) but I pull them out from time to time.
What would you have done differently?
Pay more attention to gauge. I used size US2 needles for the socks, but my gauge for sock 1 was so loose, and it ended up being a little too slouchy for my liking. I was better with sock 2, but still not quite right. Perhaps a lower needle size would have helped? Many people note that Trekking is best knit with a size US1 needle, but I did not know that at the time.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I have worked with Cascade Fixation (twice), Trekking XXL (twice), SweetGeorgia, Hill Country Yarns, Koigu KPPPM, Opal Magic, and Tess Designer Yarns. Of these, I would point to Tess as my favorite, although I liked all of them for different reasons. Tess was great to work with, and I was so absolutely in love with the color of this yarn that I could see no wrong. So saturated and so beautiful. I wore these yesterday and found myself staring at my feet all day. It's a surprise I got any work done…
My second favorite is probably Trekking, once again because of the amazing colors - it is not a surprise to you that Lolly loves color is it? :) It is not as soft, but it does soften in the wash. The striking color variegations really speak to me. I love my most recent sock FOs, my "Sleeping Socks" from Nancy Bush's priceless resource, Knitting Vintage Socks.
It is impossible to match stripes with Trekking yarn, and for me, that is the real appeal. Handknit and completely unique. I adore this blueish colorway, and I have some more Trekking in stash (colorway #107) that is calling my name.
This past year, there has been an explosion of handpainted and hand-dyed yarns on the internet - several bloggers and friends have started online shops where their colorway creations are available. Several of you have donated some lovely skeins to the Socktoberfest drawing (October 31st!). I am happy to see these grassroots efforts and to support small businesses, and I love to see the new inspired colorways! Thank you for sharing your lovely colors and yarns with us all! 
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I would love to learn more about crochet in general. I took a class, and we spent nearly the whole class period on how to make a slip knot… it was not good. Maybe a (patient) crochet friend can give me a one-on-one sometime. As for my sock knitting, I learned on double pointed needles, and I still use them. I tried 2 circulars, and while it worked, I got a little frustrated. I would love to try Magic Loop too - I have a 40" size 2 in my needle stash… even after I learn Magic Loop, I have a feeling that DPNs will always be close by, however.
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There was a time when I could not stand those double pointed needles - I even called them Double Pointed Nightmares (this post shows that - exactly two years ago from today!), but now, I use them all of the time! |
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
Only one short-row sock in my history, and I have to admit, I had no idea what I was doing when I tried. I am anxious to try some of the tutorials I have seen out there and give the short row heel another try. However, I love the heel flap. I can get quite nerdy about the heels and toes - I love all of the technical details outlined in Nancy Bush's books. German heel? Horseshoe? French toe? Love it
How many pairs have you made?
There are nine pairs of socks to my name. One pair lives with my lovely mother - they were her birthday gift this past spring - and all of the others reside in the top drawer of my chest of drawers. Socks 10, 11, and 12 are currently on the needles… and there are many socks-to-be in the stash!
Speaking of stash, I have had some recent additions to the stash, many thanks to some blog pals of mine…
I won a contest on Zarah's blog - I was her 1000th commenter! She opened up her sock yarn stash for me to choose from, and my eyes went right to this great Regia colorway. I have admired other socks made with this same yarn, but have never tried it for myself. These will be very cute in a simple rib or stockinette pattern. Thank you so much, girl!
The Socktoberfest colorway from Scout! (She sent this to me as a gift! thank you so much!) The colors are so much fun and perfect for the season. Also, for my "research", I purchased two sock books that have been on my wishlist for many months…
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Next week is REVIEWS week, so stay tuned to see what I think about the newest additions to my knitting library!
It's a gray day here in Maryland, and I have been baking, cleaning, and trying to get some studying done as well… I hope to get some sock knitting in this evening while watching the hockey game! So glad it's hockey season again 
Just saw your blog with your mom and I am ready to knit up a pair of socks for Socktoberfest! My current project is a pair of self-stripping legwarmers for the girls. Elsie has picked yarn for her next pair and I look forward to getting those done for her. They will have pom-poms. I am also making matching hats for the girls with 100% soy fiber.
I plan to look at the archives later. Hope to hear from you soon! Let’s chat about knitting.
Kristi
Hello! I joined your Flickr group, but I haven’t posted anything yet. I plan to though, because I have some great yarn to make a pair of socks with! I used Trekking XXL for a pair of Jaywalkers, and I was very happy with them!
yay for hockey season finally starting!
yay for socks too!! 
i just finished my very first pair of socks and they are already pilling… very sad. you are very good at picking out sock colors! i love all these! 
That’s the yarn I used for my first pair, although in a slightly darker colorway. Not that I have anything to compare it to (yet!), but I thought it was great yarn. The self-striping does look good in a 2×2 rib, and the socks are very comfortable. There’s a pictureon my blog where I answered your sock questions.
Lolly, I just posted some interesting links on crocheting socks if you want to check them out. If we were closer I would teach you!
Augh! You got that awesome halloween-y colored yarn!? I guess being the hostess has it’s privaleges!
I’ve been eyeing the Knitting on the Road book…will look forward to your review of that!
Isn’t sock knitting addictive?! I’m more addicted to the yarns though…not good for my budget.
Lolly, great answers to the questions. I’m with you on the heels. In time, maybe I’ll figure out the short row heel. I love the books that feature the history of socks, those are my favorites, to see how socks evolved through the cultures.
I remember those Double Pointed Nightmare days, glad they are now long gone. Now I might be more likely to call them that than you are
Taking a trip back through your sock history has been interesting, and I’m glad that you fixed the first socks. They may not be your favorite, but they should hold a special place as your first.
LOVE the Socktoberfest colorway. Have a relaxing evening knitting socks this evening!
Hey Lolly,
What beautiful socks! I actually read both of those books this week as part of my research too (though I borrowed them from the library). I liked them both, actually… looking forward to the review. Thanks again for organizing us.
I enjoyed reading your list & those of others, great fun! Wish I had time to make socks (in a month)
i’m very green over here that you Socktoberfestians get to but Scout’s special yarn! OMG-that’s to die for! I would spend my kid’s Christmas money to get even one. If ya ever need a word on crochet, feel free! Something i’m much more experienced at. I can not wait to see some socks from Scouts hand dyed!
I love all of your socks! I am working on my Socktoberfest socks this evening…..I am on the 2nd sock! Anyway, just wanted to post and say hey! I lived in Columbia, MD for a while (went to high school there!) and miss the area! Send me some cool fall weather down here in Florida!
And that Socktoberfest colorway is gorgeous! I am jealous!
Did someone say, “hockey”?? Oh. Sorry. Focus!
Hopefully some day i’ll figure out where Columbia is and make it for a knitting group…i crochet and could teach you. I taught my butch of a Deb and she’s doing a lovely job, even is she still refuses to learn double crochet! She’s making a striped lap-blanket all in single crochet, she’s so silly.
Love those trekking socks, i’m so wanting to try trekking!!
~Suz~
Oh you got a great shot of the colors! I can’t wait to see what you make with them…
I would be more than happy to teach you both crochet and magic loop!
I need to buy more things under the pretext of “research”!
I just added a pic to the photo pool here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48341893@N00/263425814/in/pool-socktoberfest/
I actually own some socks just like the ones in the button! I know it’s not modeling week yet, but I am impatient
(Plus they’re storebought, so they don’t count!)
I finally got around to answering the questions and I cast on a new pair of socks today (actually 4 times, maybe this last one will stick!) Love the activities you have planned!
WOW! i have really missed out on some great posts lately! love this one, and reading everyone elses “sock history”… thanks for sharing your woes and triumphas! i still love the first pair you had! and you brought them to a hockey game! luck socks
I finally got to post mine too. I’m not very interesting, but hope in the years to come I will have more knowledge and be able to have better answers. It was great to get to read yours.
Most sock yarns will fuzz a bit with wear. Nine socks in a sort time is fabulous! It is my pleasure to be one of the inspirations that got you to knit socks!
Great socks and yarn! Be careful admiring those socks if your walking! I just finished a new pair of sock for my granddaughter and she was so proud of them that she was walking along admiring her socks and pointing them out to everyone and almost walked head-first into a chair!
Ok, I know it really has nothing to do with your post…but I LOVE the hat!
Oh, and Trekking 101 is my Most Favorite Trekking colorway
Oh, that yarn Scout gave you is the prefect Halloween colorway! I totally know what you mean about staring at your feet all day. They may not be as noticeable to the world at large as, say, a shawl or a sweater, but the socks I’ve knit are some of my proudest accomplishments.
Knitting on the Road is on my wishlist too. Can’t wait to see your reviews!
Love your sock answers, and your socks! I just cast on for those Sleeping Socks myself, good to see a “real pair”. Thanks for organizing us!
I’ve not yet knit with the Regia Mini Ringel, but Regia doe smake a good sock yarn. You can’t go wrong with it. I still love the color of those Tess socks in the Dublin Bay pattern. They truly look like “happy feet!”
those Tess socks are lovely!
i’ve been learning oodles from all the sock history posts. thanks so much for Socktoberfest.
Look at you being adorable. I’ve answered the questionaire as well, but without as many pictures. I should have put them. But there you are! And I’m so excited about the Scout Halloween/Socktoberfest colorway. I needs to make me some knee-highs with that.
I love the hat you are wearing in the first picture!!! Your socks all look great!
I love the Socktoberfest colorway! I’m having so much fun working on my socks this month (and I’ve always hated the idea of making socks). Thanks for hosting it!
Next year at Socktoberfest I hope I will have as many pairs made as you! My first pair is coming along nicely. I have managed the decrease on the first toe and am ready for the Kitchner stitch….not too sure how to go about that. I hope to make it to my LYS tomorrow or Tuesday.
Julie
http:/atmyhearth.blogspot.com
Your sock yarns are beautiful - so much potential! I was wondering what sweater (pattern, yarn, all the poop) you are wearing in your portrait with Mr Pickles… and I love that you had your photo with him - that’s the kind of thing I would do, too, much to the embarassment of my sons…
Great answers! You will love knitting on the road. I think it has a better variety of styles and yarn weights than KVS. I can’t wait to see what you make with the Regia - maybe it’s time to attempt another short-row heel?
DPN’s are great tools once you get the hang of them aren’t they? I magic loop a lot now, but I do like to use DPN’s too!
Hooray for hockey season. It’s the one sport that my whole family can enjoy together and it really does make for an excellent knitting opportunity.
i bought ‘knitting on the road’ for socktober ‘research’ as well.
i can’t wait to make some of those socks!
I podcasted the answers to some of those questions. I think I accidently skipped the yarn question, though - wooops =)
I enjoyed your answers!
Coffee Crazy April
Heh, I knit Trekking on 0s, and was wishing I had 00 circulars (they don’t exist, alas) for them. Gorgeous yarn from Scout!!
Ahh Trekking…..I just cant’ get enough! I haven’t seen that sock & stocking book yet - anxious to hear about it!
You have a great sock story! I love reading them!
I finally finished my 1st pair of socks for socktoberfest. See my blog at http://mitstitchingnut.blogspot.com/2006/10/woopee-i-finished-pair-of-socks.html
I answered your questions also. Whew, just finished … and now I’ve got to read what you wrote and then go back to knitting my next pair. Need to finish Hippie Crunchie, but I also want to knit a pair for my baby granddaughter. Oh where does the time fly?