Wash day today. A perfect excuse to get thinking about socks and answer some of Lolly's Socktoberfest questions.
When did you start making socks?
Last christmas. I knit a pair in dk weight wool for my boyfriend to wear under his wellies. I realised pretty quickly that there were formulas for sock knitting so worked out a pattern from a variety of things online. I remember I was at knitting group when I turned my first heel. There was a journalist there interviewing us about "the new fashion in knitting", I got all excited about picking up stitches and she looked at me as if I was mad.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Lorna's Laces is my favourite, without a doubt. I love the semi-solids . I've used some gorgeous semi-sold purple Fyberspates yarn too, which like all her yarns was yummy. The Curious Yarns stuff was pretty good and the soft and squidgy-ness of Cherry Tree Hill is lovely. All that said I'm a big fan of Cygnet wool rich 4ply. Cheap, good stitch definition, comes in a verity of colours, pretty hard-wearing.
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I have some crochet sock patterns bookmarked, and have thought about it. I'm not really on a crochet kick at the moment. I tend to use Magic Loop, but have used dpns for colourwork because I found I got a more regular tension. I'm a toe-up girl whenever possible.
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
Short row all the way, for appearance and fun to knit. But I've been working on some toe-up flap styles which I like. I prefer a round to square heel. I many ways I think it depends on the sock. Some stitch patterns look better with a flap, others I feel suit the neat triangle of the short-row. It probably also depends on the shape of the foot wearing the sock, particular heels flatter particular feet.
How many pairs have you made?
That's a good question. That's seven pairs on the line, plus three dry and folded away in my room. And a whole load done for presents. I'm going to have to think about that.
But now to bed. I meet my new class of undergrads midday tomorrow - a morning full of photocopying reading lists lies before me. And then onto a funeral. Long day.
7 comments:
yay for socks
I'm a magic looper too, I've never thought about comparing tension with dpns though.
10 pairs for yourself in under a year - that's impressive
... the number of people who've said they like Lorna's Laces first on these questions. I must give into the expense and get me some.
I gonna tell you a secret, I can't sleep if I don't wear socks, really! it's true, the only part of my body from where the cold can attack, are my feet.
It is quite interesting to see socks in such a unique concept and i find your approach attractive. Great work.
This won't have effect in reality, that's exactly what I think.
It really seems that people are really interested in these thing.
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