Sep 15 2007
Third Time’s A Charm
The summer has managed to slip away at record speed… and now we find ourselves only two weeks from a certain month… a month that has a special meaning here at LollyKnitting Around!
SOCKTOBERFEST!
Socks have enjoyed a long reign of popularity in the knit blog world – when I first started blogging in 2004, they were not nearly as ubiquitous as they are now. They intrigued me, and for that reason, I wanted to learn more about them. So, in 2005, after a summer of fiddling around with double-pointed needles, I decided to start this group project… and it just so happened that I started working on some new socks in October while at a hockey game… and by a few little words at the end of a post, Socktoberfest was born.
What is Socktoberfest?
A very simple concept with very few restrictions – Socktoberfest is a month-long (throughout the month of October) celebration of socks. It is a celebration of the accessories that we make to cover our feet. Think of it more as a festival than a knitalong – people who love something come together and celebrate it!
Some participants use Socktoberfest for stashbusting purposes, using up that beautiful sock yarn that you picked up back in 1995… Others are use Socktoberfest to finally finish up sock projects that have lingered too long on the needles and hooks. Still others spin or dye their own sock yarn and use this to make a truly special pair of socks. Some Socktoberists use the month to make quick holiday socks for family and friends. It is truly up to you!
The festival starts on October 1st, but you can definitely start on your socks now! You do not have to finish your socks by October 31st either, although the Socktoberfest blog coverage will end at the close of the month. Socktoberfest can easily be combined with other projects and knitalongs!
The only guideline that I have for Socktoberfest: be an encourager! Participants range from first-time sock knitters to sock designers and experts. Lend a helping hand or an encouraging comment. Take a few minutes to check out the progress and handiwork of your fellow project members. Encouragement goes a long way – and you may even make a new friend!
…and two years later, we are ready for another incarnation!
I have had some very generous offers from many vendors about Socktoberfest contests and raffles. The last two Socktoberfests have included some wonderful giveaways, but they each had their own problems. There were many unclaimed prizes, unanswered emails, and general miscommunication. No one is to blame. Yet, I figure that it would just be best to bypass these “bumps in the road”. Socktoberfest 2007 will not include contest prizes and raffles. I wholly endorse any sort of swap, exchange, or contest for Socktoberfest; however, I will not host it through my blog. If you want to host something through your blog, please feel free. Leave a comment here in this post to alert others about your intentions.
Since there will not be a contest, it is not necessary to officially “sign up” for Socktoberfest. If you want to participate, all you have to do is pick a nice yarn, get your needles, and start working. If you are so inclined, you can share your work through the very active Socktoberfest Flickr Group. It is a great place to be inspired and to encourage others in their own pursuits, as well as participate in discussions about sock-related crafting.
It would be a great pleasure to have you join me!
Hooray for Socktoberfest #3! I just wound up a bunch of sock yarn yesterday, and can’t wait to knit it up this fall. Thanks for being such an inspiration!
is it that time of year already? The first Socktoberfest coincided with a sock class I was taking. I never finished those socks… last year’s coincided with my niece’s birthday (completed pair #2). this year – I will finish socks for ME. (it’s cold, I need warm socks. I have two pair courtesy of swaps.) I need to knit myself some socks! (so why did I cast on a pretty scarf today?)
Yup, I’ll be socking in October!
oooh! ya! it must be FALL!
LOL – I’m already frantically sock knitting in September, certainly will be in October, November and December too. Fast knitter I’m not, but I’m happy to finally be able to participate in Socktoberfest whether there are prizes or not!
I’m in! Last year’s Socktoberfest saw the last pair or two of ten pairs of socks for my mother, which turned into 26 pairs of socks in a year by the end of March this year (that’s a sock a week!). Since then I’ve focussed on other projects, but there are some great sock patterns out there still calling me – so Socktoberfest will see me back rummaging in my sock yarn stash!
Oh, this is just the inspiration I needed to get back into knitting socks. Happy Socktberfest!
yay for Socktoberfest! I know just the yarn I’m gonna use. Now to find a pattern….
hooray for soctoberfest! I wasn’t a sockknitter as of last Socktoberfest so I can’t wait for this year’s!
woo hoo!! Last year I only enabled during Socktoberfest, this year I’m SO knitting some socks!!
Socktoberfest!….I love Fall…this is my first year knitting socks, still learning but having fun.
I’m in! Thanks for the great inspiration! Will there be cool buttons again this year? I love buttons…
Yay, I’ve been waiting all year!
Oh! I was just thinking about Socktoberfest this afternoon! I’m really looking forward to it this year!
*L* When I first started reading, I started to panic. In my head I was saying “what! Is socktoberfest in September in October?! I can’t remember! Ah!”
Yeah, I think its time for bed too…
Cool, Lolly! I’ll try to participate. I’ve been meaning to knit socks again for a while and I have some Koigu & Lorna’s Laces in my stash that would do just the trick.
You know I’m up for Socktoberfest! I think my mojo should be back by then!
Yes! I didn’t discover Socktoberfest until last November, so I’ve been looking forward to this for a while.
Yaay for Socktoberfest! Can’t believe it’s already time to do number 3, though. WHOOSH! 2 years flew by.
Hooray for Soctoberfest! I’m kicking it off a little early by holding the annual Show Me Your Socks contest on my blog. I’ll be announcing it sometime next week. And yes, there will be prizes! And then I’m looking forward to all the Socktober fun.
Ah, one of my favourite times of the [knitting] year! :0)
I am thinking this year i might aim to spin a sock weight yarn and start knitting my first pair of handspun socks. Sounds like a plan!
Socktober already! Where has the year gone?!
My goal is to learn to knit two socks on two circs.
Lolly (or anyone else “in the know”) will you please tell me if your “Shades” socks were the Jaywalker pattern? It looks a bit similar, but when I googled “shade sock pattern”…well, suffice it to say aside from your socks, nothing even close showed up. Help, please!
Don’t rush me, please! I love October, and I love Socktoberfest, but I am not ready, yet. Still, I am looking forward to all of it.
I’ve already started – I’m knitting my first ever fair of socks, self-striping knee-highs. Very pretty, and wearable!!!!!
This may be the opportunity to knit my Ukrainian Socks and maybe finish them in October, who knows? *^v^*
I wasn’t a sock knitter before, but I am now. So I can join in this time!
there were prizes before?
i’m in.
Yay! Socktober is my favorite month of the year!
Woo hoo Socktoberfest!
This might be the kick in the pants I need….this year and knitting–not a good combination. I can count my FOs on two fingers…maybe three? but socks in progress I have a’plenty…
I’m in! And if the prizes and contests became a hassle, I fully support doing away with them and focusing on enjoying the socks!!
I’m already thinking about what yarn and pattern to use for Socktoberfest. I’m torn between my first sock yarn purchase, some Trekking XXL and the sock yarn I just won. Aye decisions! Maybe I should try to do two pairs this time. That would indeed be a challenge.
Yay for Soctober! – I will finish all the incomplete socks from Summer of Socks – and then start some more….
I’m in Lolly. Thanks for inspiring so much sock mojo!
Melissa owlandacorn and I were actually talking about Socktoberfest recently; we’re already excited for it! These years and this summer have all gone so quickly, but my sock knitting has been a constant through all of it. Especially with so many great patterns out there now, I’ll be excited to once again celebrate the most humble and useful of knitted items.
I am so excited to have found this! I just finished dyeing my first skeins of sock yarn so this is perfect timing! Too bad about the contests, but I’m sure that it’s a lot of trouble to deal with. Now to find a pattern!!! Oh, and I hope there are buttons too!
Yey for socks! I’ll be joining in – there’s a toe up illusion knitting pattern I’m a bit scared of which will be my Socktober challenge
)
Sounds like a great approach the fun this fall Lolly! And now that socks have finally “clicked” with me I’ll definitely be joining in.
yes, yes, yes!
YAY! I have been waiting for this since October 31st, 2006!
Since i did so horribly on “Summer of Socks” i plan to use Socktoberfest to make up for it. LOL!
I can’t help it that people i know keep having babies!
I will be joining you for the first time. I have just learn how to do toe up socks!!!
So I know I will be making a lot of socks!!!!
Hurray for Socktoberfest! I really enjoyed the “celebration” last year, and have been looking forward to this years’ since the beginning of September!
hoooray! I’ll be joining you Lolly
Socktoberfest last year is what gently encouraged me to be brave and knit my very first socks! The first ones were simple booties for preemies (preemies need feet coverings too!), but I did start my very first grown up pair in November. I’ll hopefully be finishing my second pair that I started in May, and starting a pair for my brother. Not that I think I’ll get it all done, but I can try!
Anyone have any suggestions of some washable sportweight yarn that comes in solid colors? Last I checked with brother brown and dark red were the requested colors.
This will be fun! I have a pair of “legacy socks” (long story….) that have to be finished since I finally took a class and figured out the heel turning and gusset business…..
After many attempts I finally mastered sock knitting this Australian winter. I have a few to finish so I am looking forward to this.
Great way to do it – less work for you!!!!!
Now I have to get back into sock knitting! I have a few weeks to get the mojo back!
Thanks so much for hosting Socktoberfest again this year!!! I can’t imagine folks not collecting their prizes!!!
Looking forward to seeing everyone’s beautiful socks
Socktoberfest! I am SO in!
Exciting! I’m definitely catching the Socktoberfest spirit. I just bought some new fall shoes with the express purpose of showing off handknit socks!
I would love to join you!
I just ordered some light worsted (I like knitting thicker-than-typical socks) yarn that is variegated, little did I know I was really getting ready for Socktoberfest! Woo! Time to finish up my two WIPs this month, to get ready….
I’m totally in! I need a reason to knit more socks!
I’m looking forward to Socktober Fest again. I think it’s my favorite time of the year.
I don’t have a blog, but hope I can join anyway. I knitted my first sock for Knitting Olympics. From then on I have loved knitting socks. Thank you so much for hosting this. I haven’t found even ONE knitter where I live that knits socks. So, I am especially happy to join an on-line sock knitting fest. Thank you Lolly………… and, it’s been great to read about your trip. So glad you were safe.
Sandy
I love this time of year…Octoberfest beer from Sam Adams and participating in Socktoberfest with Lolly Knitting Around. Yay!
I’m thinking I might finish my New England socks, and maybe try some of Cat Bordhi’s “New Pathways…just the inspiration I need!
It will be good to have the encouragement of other sock knitters. I have 2 1/2 pair to finish before Xmas for my sister and Socktoberfest could be the kick in the bum I need to knit faster…knit longer… to knit like a CHAMPION! LOL
Socktober is my friend. My individual in process socks will get mates next month…yes. That is what socktober means to me…
This will be my first time to participate and I look forward to knitting some socks.
You know… this is exactly what I need to start up…
I’ve got Monkey Socks in cue and they are just sitting there waiting for me to start, and October I will be starting my maternity leave…
Something to pass the hours by when I’m not learning the ropes of becoming a first time Mom…
Maybe I need to make baby monkey socks!!
Either way, I’m so in Socktoberfest!!
yay socktoberfest! i’m going to create some “rules” for myself, because clearly i need some kind of structure if i’m running around with so many orphans
I’m so psyched. I had almost forgotten about it, too!
Yea! Will you be having buttons again? (sorry to hear about the “technical issue” that made the prizes not work). I’ve enjoyed Socktoberfest in the past and am looking forward to it now. If there is anything I can do to help out, please let me know!!
Cheers!
Yeah, I’m in
I’m glad to hear Socktoberfest is still going to happen. Who needs a contest when you can have a sock knitalong?! October is a great month to dedicate yourself to socks.
Yay! Socktoberfest! And it’ll be completely refreshing to have a knitting event that’s not tied to anything commercial. Good on ya.
So wonderful. I’ll be on the real Octoberfest at Munich this year, carrying my sock knitting. Chris
I’ll be doing socktoberfest this year. I did not get my summer of socks done so hopefully I’ll get that pair done in october.
I’m in!
I do believe that I will taking part in my very first socktoberfest this year. I just finished my first pair 2 days ago so the timing is perfect!
I definitely will be doing socks this October. The sock yarn is starting to fight with the other yarn on my work table and in the mornings, I come in to a few non-sock skeins laying on the floor with a pile of fabric on them. I think the sock yarn needs to be taught to behave.
[...] naturally I’m working on 5372953264364 other projects, but I will be participating in Socktoberfest, goddamnit! I have yarn I bought last year from Scout in the Socktoberfest colorway, and maybe I [...]
[...] that my babies would only wear handknit socks. So far I have one pair. Maybe that should be my Socktoberfest goal. Does anyone out there think I could knit 31 pairs of baby socks in [...]
Can’t wait to start!
This will be my first year participating in Socktoberfest, but I’m looking forward to it! I knit socks for my 2 year old over the summer (2 pairs) and now he won’t wear store bought socks – only wants “knitted!”. Guess what I’ll be doing all winter???
[...] Socktoberfest is coming up. This year is a casual one. Make your own personal goal, sign up or not and go ahead [...]
[...] knitting instead. There has been a great influx of patterns that have swayed my eyes, but with Socktoberfest right around the corner, I thought that a stockinette stripe may bring more inspiration. Several [...]
May I join in too? I wasn’t aware of Socktoberfest last year. I’ve had a very slow start with socks. But I really really like having handknit wool socks so I want to make a lot more. I’m about a row of ribbing away from finishing the first sock of Summer of Socks but I think i might be able to manage the mate for it in October. Blind optimism says maybe I even get another pair done too.
Woo Hoo! Rock out with your Socks out girls
I like this version of Socktoberfest! This is the way I like to participate in knitalongs.
If anyone is really interested in a sock-themed knitalong to celebrate Socktoberfest, head on over to http://drivebythinking.typepad.com/driveby_thinking/i-need-your-help.html.
Socks! Fun! Prizes! Good cause! What more could you ask for?
I’m hoping Socktoberfest reignites my interest in socks. I haven’t finished an adult pair of socks in almost a year. This year I’m setting my goal for one sock in October since I now have a new knitting distraction called school.
Count me in!
I will of course be knitting socks in October so this is a no brainer!
Cool Beans!
Just like a few others here, last year I hadn’t yet knit my first pair of socks. I didn’t officially knit my first pair (despite one or two false-starts) until December. At that time, I had planned to learn how to knit socks and then to knit a pair for everyone in my family. And then some. All for Christmas. Did I mention that I got this idea around mid to late November? Yeah. Obviously didn’t happen. So here I am just shy of a year later and I finally get to participate in this wonderful even that I so sadly watched from the sidelines previously. Whoopee! I get to do it now! 
Thanks for oganizing this – and for coming up with the inspiring idea!
I’m glad Socktoberfest will be happening again this year. I am just getting into knitting blogs, and this is the first time I’ll be able to participate. I was beginning to think I had missed the boat!! Thanks!
This looks lke great fun. I would love to join in on the Soctoberfest
Oh goodness, my roommate and another close friend already think I need a sock and sock yarn intervention…bring on Socktober!
[...] I had A sock, a-singular, on the needles forever!! So close to finishing it was disgusting. Then Lolly’s Socktober post popped up and I thought, “yeah, socks. Why not.” So I have decided to finish up [...]
i started my first sock last october for socktoberfest, and i am hoping i finish it this time around. i haven’t taken to the sock knitting as quickly or enthusiastically as i would like, but i have promised my friend, who is more than a little evangelistic about sock knitting, that this october–i will knit socks. i have lots of sock yarn on hand, and i am ready to go!
thanks to you for doing this again lolly!!!
I am SO excited about Socktoberfest this year!
I was sooooooooooooooooooooooooo impatiently waiting this Socktoberfest 07!!!
need buttons!!!!!!
you know i am there!!
Yay! Count me in!
I’ve got my sock patterns and yarn all lined up and ready to go. I’m hoping for a pair of socks for each week. This is my first Socktober fest where I have a blog so I can really join in the fun!!!! Happy Sock Knitting everyone!
I’m in this year, but is there a logo that we can post on our blogs? I need to knit up a bunch of socks for folks for Christmas – and I have to try some of the socks in the Cat Bordhi book!
Pax,
MLO
[...] Third Time’s A Charm [...]
I love Socktoberfest. I finally finished last years pair last week. *L*
yippee!!
I’d like to celebrate Socktoberfest! Sounds like fun. This will be my first time. One question – I’m still not clear on. Where is it that we share encouragement, sock progress, etc?
[...] knitting books: handknit holidays. if you’re interested in the socktoberfest, you can find more information on hostess lolly’s blog. there’s also a flickr group and a ravelry [...]
I am joining a little late, but count me in too!
)
I bought lots of yarn socks during my 9 months of so called “yarn diet” – because I was told that sock yarn does not count as stash – so I have lots fo socks to knit now!
)
[...] was thinking about taking a break from socks for a while. Yes it’s right in the middle of Socktober, but I’ve done a lot of socks over the last several months and the cooler weather has me [...]
[...] 2007 Even though I’m not presently knitting socks, I wanted to do something special in for Socktober. Here’s what I came up [...]
[...] were also my Socktoberfest Socks from last year. Now that they are finished I need to decide what I’ll knit up this [...]
[...] nighut during House & Boston Legal. Love those shows. *purr* Since it is October they count as Socktoberfest Socks. Those are the best kind of socks ya [...]
[...] of socks (pictured below), and this month has one pair done so far. this month was supposed to be all about socks, but it seems i was a month too early. i also realized that the last six pairs of socks i have [...]
This is simply awesome! I have gone through by them one by one.Thanks so much for the post.
-Candelaria