my (admittedly short) sock making history

in honor of Socktoberfest, here is my sock history:

When did you start making socks?
on september 20, 2006. the start of sock wars was fast approaching, and i decided my first official start-of-sock should be for myself.

Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative?
i mostly did it myself, although by the time i got to the turning the heel bit, i got myself all confused, until Lisa reminded me of the concept of "short rows" and my brain turned back on.

What was your first pair?
fun to make! see my sock war entry below ...

How have they "held up" over time?
good, i hope, since they now live in arkansas.

What would you have done differently?
nothing except not build a long retaining wall on the same weekend i was trying to knit a pair of socks as fast as i possibly could!!

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
i made the sock war pair out of Norwegian Spirit Smart in rainbow variagated ... pooled really well and i want to make a pair for myself. my jaywaylkers are being made out of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, and i'm loving that too.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
i don't crochet (yet), and i don't mind DPNs but i think i'm going to like magic loop the best. come back to me later, and i'll tell you.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
umm.. i don't know yet. come back to me on this one, too.

How many pairs have you made?
1.45 (one pair for sock wars and i'm almost to the toe on jaywalker #1).


p.s. my long term goal for sock making (and knitting in general): be able to give a (very entertaining) public speech to a group of strangers, complete with notes, and all the while, knit away on a lovely sock. inspired by the Yarn Harlot, to whose ability i bow down. perhaps when i've been knitting that long, i'll be able to do that, too. till then, i'll keep a close eye on my stitches. slippery little suckers.

a quickie

i'm sure we all know this person ...



just had to share the funny!

WIPing and KIPing right along

progress on the jaywalker: (so loving this pattern!!)



and i started pinwheel sweater #1 (pictures to come) last night, this is going to be so cute!

i worked all weekend (missing most of the gorgeous weather). last night had dinner with shawn and janine, KIPing right along at old chicago. the poor, overworked waitress was very interested in our knitting, as she is a new knitter ("just scarves so far").

on saturday night, shawn and i went to see cake which i won tickets for by singing the first verse of "short skirt/long jacket" on the radio friday morning! then met some of shawn's frat boys for several beverages. fun night. shawn kicked the boys' asses at darts. soundly.

sorry, i'm not feeling really creative in my writing this morning, although i did manage to take pictures on saturday morning for a semi-top secret project to come.

i am looking forward to the new furnace and air conditioner being installed today! and checking out 1 or 2 new knitting groups this week.

i think i need coffee .........