October 18, 2006

Second Annual Rockin Sockin' Socktoberfest...

For Lolly...

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I taught myself how to knit socks.
I almost lost my mind when I turned the heel...it was MAGIC!
I became totally obsessed after seeing the Retro Rib Pattern in IK. I love that pattern


What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
These were my first socks...
Some 2x2 rib Beginner Pattern
first_socks.JPG
They are fuzzy, shrunken, and misshapen...I still love them.
As a matter of fact, I wore them on Sunday to Pixie's Soccer game.
Yarn: Cherry Hill - Color Birches

What would you have done differently?
I wouldn't have put them in the dryer. (oops)

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I love Tess and Koigu.
These are the best for socks.
Why?
They both have held up the best.

I do reserve the right to add Bearfoot & Claudia Handpainted...
both in my stash waiting their turn.

I didn't like Opal very much. Scratchy and kinda fugly.
I'm Meh on the Opal.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I've only ever knit socks on DPNs.
I really love Crystal Palace DPNs. They are pointy. and I like Pointy.
I'm a bit of a Sir Robin when it comes to 2 Circs. (for all you holy grail lovers)
I chicken out and bugger off, running away, away.
Yes, it's true, I fear change.


Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)

Heel Flap. Hands down.
It's magic.
I look forward to turning that heel.
I don't like short rows very much.
I've done one pair with a short row heel. That'll do for me.

And I'm downright against Toe Up.
This is back to the Fearing Change thing.


How many pairs have you made?

I've made 8.
I'm not counting the 2 pairs for Pixie I am knitting currently.

Pixiestikz Socktoberfest Recap:
I love knitting socks. I always have a pair on the needles.
They are portable, easy, comforting and endlessly enjoyable.

When I need a yarn fix, I reach for the Sock yarn in the LYS.
I get so proud of my socks, I've been known to hike up my pants to show them off to family, friends and unsuspecting co-workers.

People seeing a knitter knitting a sock are captivated.
It's a sneak peek into the past.
They produce the most oohs and ahhs when I KiP.

When there is a lull in conversation among knitters (as if)
you can always spark enthusiasm and controversy by shouting..
"Hey Ya'll! Top Down Rules and Toe Up Drools!!! "

Yay for socks and the month that brings them to the top of the WIP pile...
socks_stripey.jpg
Socktoberfest
It's the small things that keep me happy!



Posted by Heather at October 18, 2006 11:06 AM
Comments

Yea! a post just for me :)
and what a fun post it is! I remember your first socks. You started them before I got into socks and I thought I should give it a go!
You have to let me know how that beautiful new Claudia's Handpaint works up - that was a nice score! and on sale too! Had a great time this past weekend!

xo

Posted by: Lolly at October 18, 2006 12:25 PM

Woohoo! I love your Sock History - you are a gal after my DPN-loving-cuff-down-knittin' heart!

Posted by: Janet at October 18, 2006 12:46 PM

yay! You and I must be sock-sisters because I agree with you all the way on all of those things, no toe-up socks for me, heel-flap all the way, Turning the heel is totally magic! and Opal is not so great.

Oh, and I accidentally put one of my pairs in the dryer, too. A little shrunken but they still get worn :)

Posted by: Moni at October 18, 2006 01:02 PM

I love your camo socks.
I also love the Holy Grail movie.
It is just a harmless bunny......

Posted by: Vickie at October 18, 2006 01:30 PM

I'm still learning to like socks. I just don't like wearing them so when they're finished, I don't know what to do with them. Yours always look great though. Keep rockin' those socks!

So good to hear from you. Had a blast visiting last month. Your turn...:D

Tanya

Posted by: Tanya at October 18, 2006 02:54 PM

Sock histories are great. I love that even though your first socks are "imperfect," you still love them and wear them. And you're right, top down heel flaps are totally the way to go. Thanks for getting the Sir Robin song stuck in my head!

Posted by: Jenna at October 18, 2006 03:43 PM

You've made EIGHT PAIRS? I've made, well, zero. You are my hero!

Posted by: Becky at October 19, 2006 01:31 PM

Socks rock! Even the ones we keep in our shoes and no longer show off. :o)

Posted by: Michelle at October 21, 2006 12:58 PM

I love these polls! Lolly rocks. So do you!

Posted by: Jenny at October 23, 2006 11:21 PM