Sep 24 2008
Fourth Annual Socktoberfest – One Week Countdown!
Some of the beautiful socks created in last year’s Socktoberfest – and you can add to the beautiful parade of socks by joining us this year for the 4TH ANNUAL SOCKTOBERFEST!
In anticipation of this year’s event, Knitty Otter created some cute buttons for us too! Here are a few, but there are more over on Ravelry – feel free to take one and add it to your blog. (Save to your own server first, please!)
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What is Socktoberfest?
A very simple concept with very few restrictions – Socktoberfest is a month-long celebration of socks. It is a simple celebration of the accessories that we make as crafters to cover our feet. Think of it more as a festival than a knitalong – people who love something come together and celebrate it!
Who can participate in Socktoberfest?
You love socks? You’re in. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you have a blog, or a digital camera. Come one, come all. If you do not have a blog, but would like to show off your work for others to see, think about joining the Socktoberfest Flickr group and the Socktoberfest Ravelry group. You can upload your pictures and everyone can see and comment on them! You can join us anytime during the month of October.
What will happen during Socktoberfest?
Each year of Socktoberfest is slightly different in scope. 2008 is going to be a simple celebration. Frequent photo posts of what people are making and how they wear their socks. Please let me know if you are willing to prepare a photo tutorial to share with the other Socktoberists!
Is Socktoberfest a sock swap or an exchange?
The original concept behind Socktoberfest did not involve a swap or an exchange. However, like Project Spectrum, I would be happy to endorse side projects that crop up around Socktoberfest. Project Spectrum engendered several color-themed swaps – feel free to start a Socktoberfest swap if you are so inclined! I will gladly direct anyone to it. I cannot personally add that component to this project as I already have enough admin work to keep me busy!
Are there restrictions, rules, or guidelines to follow for Socktoberfest?
I am a liberal project leader – I don’t like to get bogged down with rules, so things are pretty free around here. Some participants are using Socktoberfest for stashbusting purposes, using up that beautiful sock yarn that you picked up back in 1995. Others are planning to use Socktoberfest to finally finish up sock projects that have lingered too long on the needles and hooks. Still others plan to 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 – and there is no such thing as “not having time for Socktoberfest”… if you plan on even looking at your sock needles this month, that is enough!
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 reports that I post and let someone know that you saw their handiwork. If you know the answer to their question, write them a comment or an email. Encouragement goes a long way – and you may even make a new friend!
Cross-posted on the Socktoberfest Page
- Do you wanna make socks?
- Whose in?
- What are you planning?
yay! Socktoberfest! Count me in. I think I saw a great sock pattern on Knitting (or some recent publication) that I will try…
oops! make that knitty
Ooooh I think I’ll sign up this year for the first time. I have 3 pairs of socks to knit for Christmas as well as one pair I’m finishing up right now.
Count me in! The yarn & needles are in a bowl – ready to begin. Pulling out yarn from my stash for some rather timely socks – will blog the start next week!
This year I can participate, since my brain has returned and my baby is almost one. I miss knitting socks–this is a good motivator! Thanks Lolly!
oh my. i hadn’t realized it’s almost october (kinda funny since i write the date at least once daily) … i’ll have to figure out if i can break from the cowls back into socks. maybe i’ll make some bulky house socks. yay! and i think it just ends on the most perfect day ever.
i love october.
I’ll celebrate Socktoberfest by updating my Ravelry notebook – I have a new pair of socks on the needles, the first sock is done already and I’ve started on the second one, but I’ve been too busy/lazy to upload pictures so I haven’t even entered them on my project page yet. It will be done before the end of Socktoberfest!
I’m definitely in!! I have a few 1/2 finished socks that this will motivate me to finish!
Yup, I’ll be there!
Of course I’m in! I’m always knitting socks anyway so this is just right for me. I’ll be knitting my Trick or Treat Sock Swap socks to start.
Yay – I want to be in! Not sure what to make yet, but there are lots o’ socks in my Rav queue. Plus I need to make Dad’s birthday socks by Oct 29, so that’ll work too!
I’m knitting non-stop on wedding related stuff, but I’ll be sure to wear my handknit socks all socktober long. Fun!
I’m in again. I may have four pairs currently in progress. I vow to finish at least one before starting any new pairs. Also, I have a swap pair due at their destination by the end of Socktober, so that means I’ll *have* to finish *at least* one pair, right?
Yay!!! I’m so happy and grateful that you’re continuing the tradition. My goal is to learn to do toe-up socks. I’ll definitely keep my eye out for encouragement opportunities. Lets all spread the sock love.
Thank you Lolly. You (socks that) Rock!
Socktoberfest is my favorite time of the year. Hopefully I’ll be able to crank some socks out. I’m furiously baby knitting so I can take presents back home when I visit for my birthday, though, so we’ll see.
Hmmm. *looks suspiciously at the socks she just cast on that probably will keep going into October* Okay, I think I’m in. Maybe I’ll even finish this pair! And a sweater.
Even better would be two pairs. But that may be wishful thinking as the knitting is going lately.
Count me in! THough I just realized that I don’t have as much sock yarn as I thought I did! I will have to remedy that! STAT!
Hooray! Glad it’s nearly that time of year again, thanks for running this again Lolly
Dang, 1 week until October? How did that happen? In any case, hopefully this will be the inspiration I need to make some socks. It’s been months!
Yes, count me in. There is still one week left until October. So that should force me to finish Mrs. Beeton.
[...] Socktoberfest on küll selline sündmus millele tahan osaleda! Mul nii mitmed sokid [...]
I’m in! I have a sock rainbow to finish up.
Time to make some of those single socks into pairs! I’m in!
I’m in! I have wanted to participate in one of your things for a while, and this is a good opportunity! I have a bunch of sock yarn to knit up!
Yay! Socktoberfest is the most wonderful time of the year!
Yea, I can do this! Count me in. I have several sock patterns in my Ravelry Queue. Now to find the perfect yarn!!!
Do preemie socks count? They are tiny – but I am planning to make quite a few for a charity project. So if they count – I´m in.
yay! I love socktoberfest. thanks so much for continuing a great tradition!
I am only going to have one goal, to knit the other sock to the one I have had on the needles for toooo long!
I’m in! I think I’ll spend the next couple of days organizing what I want to knit.
I’m in. My efforts will be devoted to knitting mates for the many singles languishing in my workbasket!
Definitely in! I need the push to knit something and socks would be perfect for my current low knitting mojo. Now off to figure out what patterns to knit or what’s in the stash!
i’m in! i just started a sock after months sock free and i’m on fire!
I was just thinking about casting on a new pair of socks! I really want to make those gorgeous Södera socks – the knee-high, toe-up Hederas – in white yarn to wear to a couple of parties in the next two months. They would go great with my high-heeled fancy shoes.
Lets just say I’m in!
I’m in but I’m deciding between a new start and finishing something that is already on the needles.
I’m in! Half my stash seems to be sock yarn and it’s all so gorgeous!
Cool beans! I’m in…just started my very first pair of socks today!
I’m in again! I am hoping to complete a few Fall colored pairs of socks…including a Halloween pair!
Should we sign up with you letting you know that we want to participate? Is there an official place to sign up? I need to refocus and get back to working on socks so I’m game to play along.
i like your last comment about being an “encourager”. i teach the sock class at my lys, and i just finished a class tonight. OMG! the joy of first time sock knitters falling in love with what they just created =)
i love to share my addiction!
i plan to use socktoberfest to unite some orphans. and of course, i cannot ever resist casting on something new too.
(time to finish the laila’s socks) (sp?)
I’ll join this year! I’m going to celebrate by knitting my very first pair of “gift” socks. After years of watching me knit socks for myself, my husband has finally requested a pair of his own. I’ll also dip into the yarn stash to finally use some of those treasures. And finally, I’m going to finally organize my sock drawer!
Hi
I’m Dea from Denmark and I love this concept. I would like to joine in and knit socks and perhaps arrange a danish sockknitting get together in Copenhagen. I am finishing up a pair of Jaywalkers to start the month of
Warm sock greetings
Dea
Oh my! I can’t believe it’s nearly October! I have a design I’ve been working on for a while so maybe I’ll try and get that ready to publish during Socktoberfest! Yea!
I’m in! I just started a pair of socks last week and I have two more pair I would like to get done so this sounds great.
Count me in please, this should get me my blogging mojo back
Socks are fantastic.. now I just need to figure out what sock(s) to knit 
Alexandra
I’d like to sign up but pathetically can’t figure out how – please let me know – this sounds like fun!
- Allison
Oh my October is a busy one, but I am so sorely tempted. I have some Happiest Girl sock yarn just begging to be made into a pair. Also I’m teaching a beginner’s sock class, hmmmm. Maybe I will get them to participate or post their progress. The possibilities.
Funny I was thinking that I had way too many socks on the needles. I will need to finish up a few pairs for Sock-tober fest. I need to dig out my Halloween yarn and knit a special pair just for Halloween. Need to look for the perfect pattern for sock yarn with Witches in the name.
Okay, I’m in…
Leaves are falling & changing here in the North – time to knit wooly socks – count me in!
I have lots of socks to make for holiday gifts… I am SO in!
hey lolly. i’ve nominated you for an award, assuming that this happens too many times to acknowledge for you, so no need to do anything with this…..just thought you deserved it!
[...] 28, 2008 by westerlywhimsies Well there is one week left until the start of Socktoberfest!. If you want something that doesn’t impose crazy rules and time limits on your knitting, then [...]
I have been waiting for October a long time now – can’t wait to see all those great socks!
I’m in this year!
At the very least I’m going to finish up a pair of socks I’m in the middle of and I hope to start another pair using the 2 socks on 1 circular needle method (new to me!).
Go sock knitters!!
I’m in. My fifth graders will be making socks out of yarn they are dyeing with plants and I think I’ll make a pair for myself while they’re at it. I’d also like to make the second purl custom color jaywalker to join the one I made almost a year ago…
[...] see, October is coming, and I’ve signed up for Socktoberfest 2008. I need to give myself some portable knitting projects that I can feature on the blog while I work [...]
totally in !!
Count me in. I just bought yarn and dpns and was excited to cast on my first ever pair of socks when I discovered this on your blog. What a great motivation to get through to the end. Not sure which pattern yet but I’m leaning towards Monkey (knitty.com).
Hooray for socktoberfest! I’m definitely in!
Perfect! I’m knitting socks for Christmas presents. Count me in.
Oh,Lolly…why can’t I finish a pair of grown up socks???
I’m in! I have never done socktoberfest before, and I have grand plans of doing 3.5 pairs of socks all for me. If I finish them, I will do a pair for my husband’s Christmas gift and start on Christmas stockings. Can’t wait to see everyone’s work!
I’m hoping you and everyone else will inspire me to start and finish the second sock of the pair that I started last year for Socktoberfest. Now to find my sock needles. eek!
Oh, I think this is just what I’m looking for at the moment. I’ve been hankering after some really special socks for yoga classes – this will be the perfect excuse to cast on!
Woo-hoo! Count me in!
Sign me up. I have always missed this event and I can not wait!!
I’m in. I tried knitting socks for Summer of Socks, and failed miserably. I started 3 pair though
So maybe now I can finish those 3 pair and count it for Socktoberfest!
Okay, okay! My “knitsters” will be happy to hear that I’m FINALLY going to knit my first pair of socks! It was a New Year’s resolution and this is the perfect opportunity to get started. I’ve decided on Retro Rib Socks from Interweave in KnitPicks Essential, Cocoa. Thanks for the push Lolly!
I’m in this year – this is the first year I haven’t forgotten about it (I’m also really good at forgetting about “summer of socks”) but I’m totally in this time around! I have some handspun socks on the needles now and some yarn that I’m spinning for socks on the wheel as well.
Yay! Happy Socktober!
To me, EVERY month is Socktober, but I’ll try to be a good participator and post to the Flickr group and Ravelry group this year. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone else’s Socktoberfest socks, too!
Blogging has been sporadic for me lately, but I am participating!
Yay! My first Socktoberfest! I am definitely joining!
[...] for punishment Posted by Casey under knitting …so I have, once again, joined Socktoberfest. Clearly, I’m nuts. I’ve proven more than once over the past year that I’m no [...]
Yay for Socktoberfest! It marks the start of Fall knits. You can count me in. I just started another pair.
I’m hoping to finish my self dyed stripe socks and get going on a pair in Kureyon. We’ll see how far I get. I’ve been sucked into the Twilight books and can’t yet read and knit at the same time!
[...] looms for yourself!!! So what are you waiting for? If you hurry, you can have your very own Socktober ;D Have a great [...]
Hi, I’m a bit late but count me in! I have some plain stockinette socks on my needles right now!
Oh my gosh! What gorgeous socks! I wish I knew how to knit because I really need some fun, new, warm socks. I’m in love with the socks in your photo! I’m going to post about this event over on my blog..who knows, maybe someone will make me some for Christmas!
[...] it will make a difference. I’m so confident that I can finish these quickly that I joined Socktoberfest. Should be [...]