the start of socktoberfest!

First off, I’m late. It’s October 5, and I haven’t yet said anything about this fabulous month-long sock celebration. Of course, I’ve been a leeeeetle busy. (Aside: I found an apartment yesterday! Upper East Side, eensy weensy 1 bedroom. Boy, the apartment hunt sucked, in every way. I was that woman you see crying on the subway. For real. But it’s over now!)

It’s not too late to jump right in to Socktober. Later today I’ll be able to show my finished Pomatomi–I kitchenered using a bobby pin as a needle last night! (Once I’m back in Philly, I will sew in the ends using an actual needle.)

Here’s the excellent little questionnaire Lolly posted, with my answers!

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I made my very first sock in the fall of 1999, actually. A friend had told me how fun socks were–a neat little geometrical feat that never ceased to amaze her. So I found an ultra-simple ribbed sock pattern and worked on the first sock on the plane to the Frankfurt Book Fair. I finished the sock with a backward kitchener (by accident), and I ultimately hated the sock so I never made its match. The thing fit perfectly, though–I recognized that this was a big plus for knitting your own socks.

What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?
My first pair was my Pomatomus in Shepherd Yarn “Anne” for the Knitting Olympics this year! I love them, but they seem like sacred socks to me, so I only ever wear them around the house for fear that I’ll muck them up if I wear them out. So they’ve held up just fine.

What would you have done differently?
Nothin’.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
My sock yarn experience is limited, but Koigu ranks very very high. I love its squishiness. I’m not a fan of variegated, however.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I prefer Magic Loop, but I’ll now use dpns without complaining. I used to complain about dpns, but we’ve since become friends.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I’m still pretty new to the game, so I’m not well-versed in lots of heels. I like the tailored look of the heel flap, but I find executing a short-row heel so fast, it’s more gratifying.

How many pairs have you made?
Five! Pomatomus (see link above), Zokni, Socks for Dad, Anastasia, Pomatomus. I know, crazy that that’s the full extent of my sock experience. I plan on making many more! I’ve got lots of new designs in the works–and in between some of these there have been other prototypes and things I frogged (like these).