A Socktoberfest questionnaire:

* 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 first pair as a beginner-ish knitter - I remember working on these while hanging out at Rob’s place in Noho, so that was probably 2 years ago. I taught myself (like all of my mad knitting skillz).

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

Broadripple from Knitty, and I used Mountain Colors Bearfoot. My gauge tightened up as I got used to the teeny yarn and small needles, so the (garter-stitch) cuff of the second sock is a bit snug. They don’t get a ton of wear, but they’ve held up nicely from the machine washings (although they look much better if I remember not to throw them in the dryer).

*What would you have done differently?

Substituted ribbing for the garter stitch cuff. I hate garter stitch!

* What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

Koigu, yum. I’m currently knitting a scarf using Claudia Handpaints, and that’s super soft. The Knitpicks Bare superwash is incredibly soft, too.

The Bearfoot was ok, but I could do without all the mohair. I dislike the Regia yarn I got in a swap, I am truly spoiled!

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

5 DPNs, baby. Metal dpns make me happy, Brittanys make me sad (I snap them like the twigs that they are!). I just bought a long Knitpicks circular to try out Magic Loop.

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

I like wearing flap heels, I think that they fit my feet better than short-row heels. I think that short-row heels look better, though. The heels on the Baudelaires are nifty.

* How many pairs have you made?

Four (plus one):
Broadripple in Mountain Colors Bearfoot
Retro Rib in Koigu (for Rob)
Pomatomus in Koigu (for Sockpaloooza)
Baudelaire in Koigu

Rib and Cable in Knitpicks superwash (in progress!)

Yay Socktoberfest!