Mikknit

Since we’re celebrating Socktoberfest and I’ve been trying to get a post written all week (and failing, obviously!), I’ll go ahead and share my sock history for you, such as it is.

• When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative?

I made my first pair of socks in 2001, I believe - either late winter or spring. I remember this only because I worked at AT&T at the time and remember grousing about it the entire time - I believe my exact words were “It feels like I’m knitting with string and toothpicks”. I taught myself from a pattern purchased at Creative Fibers

• What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?

My first pair was knit in Regia 4-ply, color 5218. They made a few trips through the dryer, so they’re a bit on the short side now, but it’s just as well as I didn’t knit them with negative ease - they were too loose anyhow. They rarely get worn due to poor fit, so they’ve held up just fine

• What would you have done differently?

I would’ve knit them a little smaller so they fit better! I also would’ve done more ribbing - the cuffs were awfully short.

• What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?

For knitting, I love Cherry Tree Hill. For wearing, probably Socka, Lorna’s Laces, Silja… the list goes on.

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

I’ve never crocheted socks and I probably won’t - I don’t do much crochet these days as it really hurts my hand. I prefer the two-circulars method over anything else. I’ve done DPNs and Magic Loop, but neither is as fast and easy for me as two circulars.

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

I prefer short-row heels for my feet - they seem to fit much better than flap heels. However, I’ve figured out that in order to make flap heels work for me, I just have to make them shorter. Duh.

• How many pairs have you made?

I’ve lost count, but it’s got to be somewhere around 40 by now. I could try to figure it out but that’s asking for a big headache. Last time I counted was around a year ago, maybe a bit longer, and I was at 30 pair then. At the rate I go, 40 is a safe estimate.

I did manage to add a pair of socks to my tally this week - I finished my first pair of kids’ socks! I knit them for Grace and she loves them. Once I can catch her (she’s outside playing with some of the kids who live in my mom’s building), I’ll have to get a picture of her wearing them.