| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 09:49:04 AM
I love to knit socks...really I do. I have knit dozens of pairs...all simple, ribbed or plain socks. I have always tried to get fun yarns to make THAT the fancy part of my socks..or super soft or special yarns.
That said...although I have knit socks for years I have never knit any fancy socks, or even socks with any pattern besides plain old ribbing. I just never took the time. I always totally admire people and their fancy hand knit socks and wanted to do it someday...but didn't get to it.
Last time we went up north (several weeks ago now) I got a book called Favorite Socks from Interweave press. I LOVE it...just looking at the beautiful socks makes me happy..but after spending the money for the book I figured finally I really should make at least one of those pairs of socks to justify spending the money on the book.
I started with some beautiful yarn I had in my stash (Trekking in an earthy browns and blues colorway) and started the mock wavy cable socks pattern. Oh my. I ripped it back and started over no less than 4 times. Seriously! After more than 6 inches one time!! Finally I decided that the problem was that (besides being low on sleep and high on distractions here) I needed a pattern when I could TELL when I had made a mistake. The wavieness of the pattern in this one was just hard to follow for my little brain. What made them so pretty was making me HATE these socks. Finally, I ripped it all out again...and started the Retro Rib socks. Love at first row!!! They are a pretty rib with twisted design and simple stitches and a fun look...not a plain rib by any means..much fancier, but not lacey or especially NOT wavey!! So I am loving my socks again...they aren't flying off my needles in a couple days but I will really (hopefully) appreciate this pair by the time they are done.
My next pair of socks will be plain and simple with self striping yarn. Yep.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Apr 19 2009 : 05:46:55 AM
I just finished my "one" sock. I had measured out correctly on the foot for the toe bed and then did my decreases and what-not. Very lovely...best I've done. Tried it on and just a tad too short/tight in the toes. I put it away for a couple of days. I didn't really like the sock. Colors didn't look as good as I thought they would. I mean it's just a plain ole thing anyway. BUT....I ripped it out to add a 1/2 inch. Must have been cranky while knitting to knit up that toe so tight. But I don't really want this pair to just sit.... I borrowed The Ultimate Sock Book from the local library. Lot's of cute patterns in there. Best thing about it though is their chart for all sizes/all weights of yarn for sockes boh toe-up and top down! |
| 5 acre Farmgirl |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 2:51:56 PM
I am just learning to knit, hopefully I can get good enough to knit socks.......
Farmgirl Sister #368
"It is most common for man to value most what has least worth."
My Farm and Garden blog....
http://blogonthefarmandgarden.blogspot.com
|
| Betty J. |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 09:48:20 AM
My father was an amputee and I knitted lots of socks for him, especially those gray ones with the red ribbing top. It was fun, especially since I only had to knit one sock at a time! My mother liked them because they were soft and kept him from getting sores on his feet.
Betty in Pasco |
| Sheep Mom 2 |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 09:40:58 AM
For anyone wanting to learn to knit socks try the book "Learn To Knit Socks" by Edie Eckman that is put out by American School of Needlework. It is a very clear step-by-step guide using sport weight yarn. I love to knit socks - especially the fancy lacy ones. Jenny, you should try the "Bell Lace Wool-Ease Sock" a free download from knitlist.com - it's super easy and I have adapted it to sport weight with no problem. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 12:45:17 PM
I agree...my favorite socks ever were the ones from my ewe Whitney. I havn't done that in awhile..I tend to spin worsted weight for hats and scarves and like that and buy sock yarn since I like it thin. I do have some cotton spun that I plan to make some ragg type socks ..thick and cozy..for my oldest son with. The ewes I have now (both Icelandic..one moorit and one black) would make lovely socks...Juliet and Trixie socks would sure be nice.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Keeper of the Past |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 07:36:03 AM
If you are getting it raw, I would get at least a pound but 2 would be better because you loose about 25%- 30% of weight when you wash it. Also with jacobs their wool can be so different in one fleece. I like to divide the different textures and colors and lengths separately. I can use the different colors to make stripes. I use the wool with more kink in the ribbing, longer stables in heel and toes for strength. I love hand spun yarn for warm wool winter socks and so does my family. I spin some wool into a thicker yarn for warm socks and for socks to wear with loafers or regular shoes, it is spun thinner, a sports weight.
Give it a try....you will love the socks.
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 05:07:28 AM
Sarita, how much raw wool would I need to make a pair of socks? My friend has a couple Jacob sheep...long, but cute, story....and she is getting them sheared next month. One is white and one is black. You got me very intriqued by Prissy's socks and what-not that I thought I would like to try it... I have a lovely drop spindle that I have "played" with a bit... I may be way over my head here but willing to give it a try! |
| Keeper of the Past |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 08:35:25 AM
T,
Good idea. I have just been making sacks with ribbon draw strings. I think I will try the pocket.
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 04:40:33 AM
I got a bunch of dowels to make needles a while back for a kids group I wanted to teach. It didn't come to fruition for our community ed classes but I think next fall I'll give it a go again. Do you remember that Japanese Knot Bag that someone made and showed online a while ago... http://showyourworkings.wordpress.com/tutorials/japanese-knot-bag-instructions Well, I tweaked it a little and use that as my sock bag. I made pockets on the inside to hold needles and what-not and have perfected a fairly sturdy bottom so it sits up like a bucket bag when I set it down. Otherwise it does the same job as a drawstring bag. It still only uses 2 fat quarters.
I love naming your socks! How cool is that! Who wouldn't want a pair of socks from their favorite sheep!!!!! |
| Keeper of the Past |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 12:07:22 PM
I also love to knit socks. Have you ever made your own dp needles? I go to the craft or home supply stores and pick up some dowel rods of the smaller size and of hard wood. Cut them to 5 or 6 inches, sharpen both ends with a pencil sharpener and sand with sand paper. I usually make 2 sets and a couple of spares of the same size so that I can make both socks at the same time, work a few rows on one sock and then do a few rows on the next sock so that I can finish the pair at the same time. I use tooth brush holders to store my needle sets and use permanent makers on the outside of the holder to write the needle size which I use a needle sizer to know the size.
I also love to spin and dye the wool yarn for my socks. I love the satisfying feeling of starting something from scratch and making something that I love to wear. We have sheep and my grandchildren will ask for a pair of socks from their favorite sheep. Petie socks, Prissy socks, Bonnie socks....needless to say, I am way behind on making socks and mittens.
I also make small draw string bags so that I can keep my yarn in the bag with my needles. I can stand at ball games, tractor pulls, etc and have the ball of yarn in the bag on my left wrist and the yarn comes out the top of the bag...very handy!
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life. |
| vintagediva1 |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 10:47:05 AM
Just received the new CookieA sock book for my birthday. Lots of inspiration there
Michele
www.2vintagedivas.etsy.com
Love that good ole vintage junk |
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 05:47:12 AM
Sock Summit http://www.socksummit.com I've been online trying to figure out how I could afford it!!! It looks like a blast! Hey, I figured out I could just plain knit on my socks while walking on the treadmill...finally knitting can be exercise!! |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Apr 12 2009 : 9:09:25 PM
It isn't nearly as hard as it looks...lots of needles there if you use the double points like I do, but you are really only using two at a time..so it just LOOKS hard. TRY it!!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| dutchy |
Posted - Apr 11 2009 : 11:39:25 PM
I have never knitted socks. My mom did and it always looked SO difficult to me, lol.But after reading this topic i might give it a try someday. My dear neighbor is knitting socks too and she tells me it is not hard at all. SO who knows I might own a pair of "handmade by me" socks one day, lol
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
|
| Huckelberrywine |
Posted - Apr 11 2009 : 8:26:35 PM
Hmm. Is it terribly difficult? I haven't knitted anything in over 20 years, and that was just learning to knit and pearl. But it sounds like you are enjoying it so much, I wonder if I should give it a shot? I have some sock knitting patterns but one look at them popped me back in a high school algebra nightmare. Maybe I need to toughen up and give it a try? Have to admit, a pair of self-made choose my own fun yarn socks (I have some special skeins set by from a friend) would just make me walk taller and smile secret self satisfaction. Maybe if I start now they would be ready when the weather cools again in the fall? :)
We make a difference. http://huckleberrywine.blogspot.com |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Apr 11 2009 : 12:47:01 PM
I am so jealous of you gals who are close enough to get to sock summit...sounds wonderful. I have been reading about it on the Yarn Harlot blog.
If I could get through all the sock yarn in my stash I would have gifts for a year...BUT..I will be visiting at least one yarn shop when I go up north on Monday...I KNOW I will come home with some lovely sock yarn. It is just the way it is. My food storage looks good..so now I can work on sock yarn "storage" right? It just may come in handy..haha.
I am so glad to NOT be the only sock knitter here.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| BarefootGoatGirl |
Posted - Apr 11 2009 : 03:43:11 AM
ok. i really need a new knitting project (it'll keep me off this stupid comuter all the time) and i think i'm going to go for a pair of socks on two sets of dpns. i love the rythem of dpns and knitting both socks at the same time will keep me on task. thanks!
What we write today slipped into our souls some other day when we were alone and doing nothing.
-Brenda Ueland
http://quilandneedle.blogspot.com/
http://musingandmuttering.blogspot.com |
| debaccuardi |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 6:38:59 PM
Another addicted sock knitter here! There are enough free sock patterns of different skill levels to last a very long time. I love it. Of course I had to go and join a couple sock clubs and now I always have at least 3-4 socks on the needles. Great presents:)
I am lucky enough to live within an hour of Portland. I can't wait for Sock Summit!!
I do have to say that although there are so many creative and challenging patterns out there I will always love a "plain vanilla" sock--ribbed cuff knit in the round either toe up or cuff down.
Blogging here--http://debaccuardi.typepad.com
My podcast--http://debaccuardi.typepad.com/at_the_kitchen_table/
|
| bbteacher |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 3:38:55 PM
Hey fellow "snitters" (that's knit talk for sock knitters),
I too love to knit socks with DPNs and I knit a little on one set and a little on the other so, by the time I finish with one sock, the other sock is almost done. And for all you snitters in the East, May 1-3, at the Howard County Fairgrounds, in Maryland, is the Sheep and Wool festival. It's a blast and there is so much to see, do, buy, find out, experience, you get the picture. The admission is free. So many sheep, llamas, angora rabbits and sheep dogs. There are tons of demonstrations. People playing music, dancing, singing-performances of all kinds, all weekend long. You can bring food and drinks inside (to save on cost). I always go to the "Alabama" wool-man. He has the best deals on sock wool. You have to hit him early on Saturday. He's usually sold out by 3:00 p.m. of the three day show! If you need more info, just email the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.
Bonnie
Farmgirl Sister #333 |
| Celticheart |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 2:11:35 PM
quote:
Originally posted by StarMeadow
So....is everyone here so addicted to socks and sock yarn? I have 4...yes 4 baby sweaters to complete...so what do I do??? Yep... start a pair of socks. Did I need to get new yarn??? Nope. But I did. It just screamed spring and Easter eggs to me. So I take my knitting bag on vacation that has the yarn/needles/one partially finished sweater AND the yarn for 3 pairs of socks in it already...but what do I do??? Yep...buy new yarn. I'm hopeless.
Me. I'm terrible. I have at least 2 pairs of socks going right now, maybe more, who knows. I have so many sets of DP needles that I can't find them all and I'm always buying another set. Now I'm doing 2 socks on 2 circs at the same time. Let's not even talk about sock yarn. I love the stuff.
Have you heard about the Sock Summit this summer in Portland, OR??
I'm going. It could be overload.
It's not about being perfect, but enjoying what you do. Set aside time to be creative.
Robyn Pandolph
|
| StarMeadow |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 10:10:11 AM
So....is everyone here so addicted to socks and sock yarn? I have 4...yes 4 baby sweaters to complete...so what do I do??? Yep... start a pair of socks. Did I need to get new yarn??? Nope. But I did. It just screamed spring and Easter eggs to me. So I take my knitting bag on vacation that has the yarn/needles/one partially finished sweater AND the yarn for 3 pairs of socks in it already...but what do I do??? Yep...buy new yarn. I'm hopeless. |
| vintagediva1 |
Posted - Mar 28 2009 : 2:47:40 PM
Doncha just love it when people are amazed by your hand knit socks???
I have 2 different pairs on the needles right now. First one and then the other, no dreaded second sock syndrome.Just make sure to note any changes you make because you won't remember when you go back to make the second one. I have been doing them on 2 circs and love it. It is so much faster than dps
Michele
www.2vintagedivas.etsy.com
Love that good ole vintage junk |
| electricdunce |
Posted - Mar 28 2009 : 12:26:39 PM
Back when I could still knit I used Elizabeth Zimmerman's stocking pattern from her great book, Knitting Without Tears. If you are not familiar with her books, you are in for a treat. Maybe your library has some of her books. They are not just instruction books, they have her knitting theory included. She made the best pattern for pullover sweaters, where you do a few extra rows on the back and this allows room for shoulder blades and the sweater fits perfectly rather than having the back be a little pulled up. She was a wonderful writer, and her stories about knitting interwoven with her instructions are just wonderful. When i gave away all my knitting books, hers are the only ones I kept.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
| windypines |
Posted - Mar 28 2009 : 04:35:40 AM
I made a couple pair of top up socks. They were fun. But I am on my fifth pair of 2 at once, magic loop socks. My favorite. Youngest son will get them for Christmas this year. Providiing I get them done! I am like others here, if I had to do socks one at a time, that is what I would end up with 1 !! :)
Michele |
| Celticheart |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 11:56:50 PM
Two of my favorite sock patterns are the Broadripple Sock--found at Knitty.com and The Ladder of Life Socks. You can find both patterns on the web for free. I have always knit mine on DPNs but a couple of months ago I tried 2 socks on 2 circulars at the same time. It took me awhile to get started but it's working great but I don't think I'll give up the DPNs.
It's not about being perfect, but enjoying what you do. Set aside time to be creative.
Robyn Pandolph
|
