Sooza's Knitting Stuff

I did manage to knit quite a bit during this month sockwise. And I really enjoyed the interviews and tutorials Lolly provided in her blog.

Although I'm a longtime sock knitter I still like to learn new techniques and I try most things - to a certain extend - at least once before making up my mind about them. So this Soktoberfest I took as a possibiblity to get more familiar with the idea of knitting socks on a circular needle. It was a bit awkward at first but I definitely see the uses of this particular technique. In combination with knitting socks toe-up it's particularily helpful if you are not sure wether your yarn will be enough to finish a pair of socks.

Trekking XXL Socks
During our stay in London I finished my first pair of socks out of Trekking XXL yarn. I like the soft stripes although the yarn itself was a bit different from the other sock yarns I've worked with so far. It's softer somehow, fuzzier in a way. I used a simple 3/1 rib pattern that's broken up by purl stitches forming slanting lines. I like the outcome and am looking forward to knit up some of the other Trekking XXL yarn I've got in my stash.

Looking at some pictures in the blogoshere I'm even pondering about trying socks in a stranded pattern using one solid yarn and one skein Trekking XXL. A wonderful, most adorable example can be seen at Fadenallerlei.

Retro Rib Socks
Other than the Trekking XXL socks I just finished one Retro Rib Sock from an older IK issue out of Regia Loop Color yarn. I just cast on for the second sock. I got the yarn on sale a while back although I didn't really care for the strangely looping stripes. I actually just thought the colors would make nice socks for dearest "I-usually-only-wear-black-socks" husband. But seeing the yarn evolve into a sock I have to take back my first impression. They look kinda cool, don't ya think?


Pattern: by Evelyn Clark in Interweave Knitting, Winter 2004
Yarn: Regia Loop Color, Color #5773 (black/grey)
Needles: 2.5 mm Holz+Stein Circulars
Challenge: Using circulars and the magic loop method

Lacy Africa Color Socks
And right now on my needles is another pair of socks for the Christmas basket. It's a simple lacy pattern on a purled ground done in Regia Africa Color yarn and I'm really fond of how the stripes come out on the reverse stockinette ground. The stripes loose their distinct definition and change-over more softly.


Pattern: my own
Needles: Don't those bright blue 2.5 mm DPNs look just adorable? I picked them up for next to nothing at one of those 1Euro-a-piece shop. They are anodized aluminium I think and not of the highest quality but the tips are nice and the stitches slide smoothly.
Challenge: Knitting a sock in reverse stockinette

Lolly from Lolly Knitting Around initiated this fun experience and since I've got quite a few socks coming up for the holiday season I thought it would be fun to join the Socktoberfest.

And off we go into the fun with the Socktoberfest meme:

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
My grandma has been knitting socks as long as I can remember. One time I asked her about how she does it and she taught me to turn the heel, to pick up gusset stitches and to do the toe. That has been years ago when I still was a teenager. All the other flashy techniques like short row heels, toe-up-socks or socks on circular needles I learned from the internet. I enjoy varying the techniques I use depending on pattern, yarn or situation but I'm still doing most of my socks the way my grandma taught me - heel flap and nordic heel.

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
As sad as it sounds, but I cannot remember. It has been so long since I've startet sock knitting. I seem to recall some cheap acrylic yarn in an apricot colour, but I might be mistaken.
My first pair out of real sock yarn I knit while I was in college. They where out of Regia 4-ply in a variegated camel colour. The socks did hold up admirably and I've worn them for years before even thinking about throwing them out.

What would you have done differently?
Being more careful with picking up the gusset stitches. It took some time to get the hang of that.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Most of the socks I've knit over the years were made out of variegated Regia yarn. It's the yarn most readily available around here and you can get it on discount quite often. I've used Opal yarn too and some skeins I liked, some skeins not such much. I'm not quite decided about the colours Opal yarn comes in. Some of their colour combinations are freaky. It makes you wonder about potential colour blindness in the designer. Lana Grossa sock yarn is nice too. They've got some cool stripe patterns. Oh, I've got one pair of socks out of Lorna's Laces Shepard sock yarn. Love the feel and hand of the yarn but it's definitely way too expensive compared to the wonderful Regia and Opal and Lana Grossa yarn that's available in the local stores.
I also like to work with cotton sock yarn from time to time.
Still on my list to try out one day are Trekking XXL, Koigu and the handdyed yarn from Wollmeise.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
Since I'm a clumpsy chrocheter I refrain from doing it all that often let alone crochet socks. I'm most comfortable with 5 dpns, size 2.25 to 2.5 mm. Lately I've discovered the magic loop method which I like for the projects I take on travel or public transport - no having to worry about needles to fall out is a real relief.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
For myself I still prefer grandma's nordic heel with a flap and the little short row cap. I still think it's best fitting heel. I do a short-row heel from time to time especially with toe-up-socks.

How many pairs have you made?
Too many to count. I've been knitting socks for at least 10 years now and each family member gets at least one per year, be it for Christmas or their birthday. This adds up to quite a few pairs over the years.

The following picture was taken in 2002 showing some of the socks I did over the year:

Nach dem traurigen Ende des Baumwollpullovers musste natürlich ein neues Projekt her - nicht dass noch weitere Dinge ihrer Vollendung harren würden, aber wer zählt denn wirklich nach. Der Icarus Shawl aus der Interweave Knitting Ausgabe Sommer 2006 hatte es mir schon lange angetan. Dazu kamen letzte Woche zwei Stränge Evilla Laceyarn bei mir an. Also schnell 5 Maschen anschlagen und los gings. Das Muster ist einfach zu arbeiten und das Garn hat einen sehr schönen Farbverlauf. Etwas Sorgen macht mir nur die Tatsache, dass es sich bei Evilla Laceyarn um ein einfädiges Garn handelt, das relativ stark gedreht ist. Der glatt rechts gestrickte Shawl hat im Moment die Tendenz, sich zu verziehen. Ich hoffe das ist durch Waschen und Spannen auszugleichen.

PS: Offensichtlich ist der Icarus Shawl eines der Projekte die zur Zeit jeder macht. Es gibt sogar einen Knitalong dazu >Icarusalong.

After my cotton raglan sweater met it's early demise I was in dire need of a new project. Not that there aren't still other things waiting to be completed but who really counts. The Icarus Shawl out of Interweave Knitting's summer 2006 issue had caught my eye right away. Last week two skeins of Evilla Laceyarn arrived so I was ready to cast on 5 stitches and I was on my way. The pattern is easy enough to follow and the color transitions in the yarn are very nice. Only thing that gives me pause is the fact that Evilla Laceyarn is a single ply yarn with quite a twist. The stockinette stitch fabric has the tendency to slant. I hope it will block out though.

PS: Obiviously the Icarus Shawl is one of these viral projects EVERYONE has to do. There is even a knitalong going on >Icarusalong.