lostpurl

First pair of socks.
Oh dear. I never measured my feet. A problem I now see as very common among new sock knitters. I went for medium. But what does medium mean? I had no idea at all. I assumed that I had medium feet. The very first pair of socks I knit was from Knitty Socks 101 Which I still think is one of the best tutorials around for top down socks. You make a pair of cute baby socks with worsted weight yarn. I was hooked sistas, I was hooked. My reason for wanting to knit socks was simple. My daughter who is quite tall and has feet to match, lived in mens socks. The only socks that really fit her. I saw her looking at the pretty socks in the ladies dept, and thought I can do that. I still knit most of my socks for her. I expect to be well taken care of in my old age. She said when I stop knitting socks, I go to the HOME. And to think I could have raised poodles :-)
The first pair of real socks was made using Knitpicks Merino. And Ann Budd's The Handy Book of Knitting Patterns. Easy pattern to follow. I skipped any measuring and came up with this poor sock Poor Socks The foot was too short, the heel was too short and they slid under my foot in shoes. But I loved them to death and wore them out.

When did you start making socks?
About two years ago

Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

I am mostly self taught. Books and online lessons and of course the devine Alice Truman at Elann Came to my rescue. She taught me how to knit a sock on two circs. And ahem, she mentioned measuring my foot first.

* What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?

Aside from the Poor Socks, my first pair that actually fit were Opal for my daughter. She still wears them. Just the basic sock.

What would you have done differently?

I did a short row heel and it doesn't really fit her as well as the heel flap. I only use heel flaps for her socks now

* What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Oh Lord have you got a few hours. I have used Opal (when it is good, it is great)Sadly I have had several bad experiences with Opal. And have switched to Regia. Elann Sock it to me, Knitpicks dye your own merino fingering weight. I love the solid cream color for texture work. Trekking XXL, Regia Silk, Regia Bamboo. Although I love looking at the handpainted yarns, I don't really care for how they look knitted up. I love socks knitted from Merino yarn and don't mind if they pill or wear out. They feel like heaven on the foot.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?

Never crochet socks. I think they would be a bit bumpy under the foot. I learned on DPNs, switched to 2 circs my favorite method for now. I think I knit one pair Magic Loop. I find it more fiddly then two circs.

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

I love making heel flaps. So I do that most of the time

How many pairs have you made?

I really have no idea, maybe 20 pairs of adult socks. But I knit socks for Children In Common A lot of those. Do they count, they are tiny. And a great way to check out a new pattern or technique