About Me

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Ten years into widowhood, after one year of incredible happiness and nearly 14 years of single blessedness. Retired, and mostly enjoying it. Still knitting. [Zen]tangling.again after a brief hiatus.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Socktoberfest 2006

When did you start making socks? July-into-August 2006. Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class? Taught myself after watching my Sisters of the Wool at KnitNight.

What was your first pair? Cherry Tree Hill, basic toe-up socks from Wendy D. Johnson’s article on Knitty, http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter02/FEATtiptoptoes.html modified to accommodate the quirks of my middle-aged ankles. Knitted on Crystal Palace 0’s.

How have they "held up" over time? I have worn them once, so far, and I could feel every blessed stitch in the soles. I’m waiting for next payday to buy some Eucalan to wash them.

What would you have done differently? Tried this 20 years ago.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed? The CTH is very froggable and forgiving. It was perhaps not the best choice for my first pair of socks. I used Juvel’s DK http://theravelledsleave.blogspot.com/2006/09/speaking-of-sock-wars-first-target-is.html for my first pair of socks for Sock Wars 2006, and I will be buying more. A very lively yarn, and a pleasure to knit. Currently using Rowan’s Felted Tweed for an adaptation of “Thuja” http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTthuja.html as my oeuvre for Tweedingalong. Love how it feels as it moves through my hands, but the resulting fabric is a little “flat” for my taste. I’m more than halfway down the cuff on the first sock. I like the almost-instant gratification of knitting with DK yarn on size 2’s, as opposed to the “from here to eternity” experience of CTH and 0’s. I completed two pairs of socks for Sock Wars before being taken out by my assassin in Melbourne. The second sock was mostly Sirdar Denim, augmented with Debbie Bliss’s Baby Cashmerino for cuff band, heels, and toes.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method? I did a slightly ruffled crochet cast-off on my first socks, and on the matching mini-socks for my youngest granddaughter. I love my Crystal Palace resin-infused bamboo needles. I am planning to make the next pair of socks using Magic Loop if I can score a pair of Addi Natura’s in the right size. [I did not enjoy working with my Addi Turbo as part of the needle rotation for my Elann Crop Cardi.]

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?) Well, until I did the flap for the Sock of Doom for Sock Wars 2006, and based on 2 pairs’ worth of experience, I would have said short row, those pesky double-wrappings notwithstanding. However, I *much* prefer the fit of the heel flap.

How many pairs have you made? One for me, a matching pair for BittyBit, and two pairs for Sock Wars. I am currently “unventing” pair #5 in the Felted Tweed.

4 comments:

LadyLungDoc said...

Here's some irony for you - my target received her socks from me (a week before I expected she would), you received your socks from your assassin, and I haven't received my socks yet - so technically I am still alive!

The socks that my target got started are going to log alot of milage if they go from you to her to Australia!

I am looking forward to wrapping my toes in the Cashmerino - even if some of the stitches are wonky because of the twist ;)

Fiberjoy said...

Congratulations on knitting up two pairs of socks so quickly! Especially considering you just started knitting socks in August!

I'm still alive in the sock game but only on the merit of some slower/otherwise occupied knitters down wind of me.

I've not done the short row heel. I really like the fit and look of the flap but I should branch out and try a new method.

Lynn said...

Hey, LadyLungDoc,
You'll be pleased to know that I whipped up your socks while [technically] mortally wounded.

I mailed yours on Tuesday morning, on my way to work, and my Socks of Doom arrived in Wednesday's mail.

Your target's socks are bypassing TX entirely and presumably swimming to Australia as we speak.

AlisonH said...

Love the socks!