Feb 1, 2013

Sock Bug

Have you noticed that sometimes your knitting or cooking or fill in the blank takes on a theme? When our calendars turned from 2012 to 2013, there was a flurry of posts about themes for the new year; some of us wrote about 2013 being the year of the sweater, the shawl, the hat.  Well, friends, I've been bitten, too, and for me I think 2013 is going to be the Year of the Sock.

Fiesta Baby Boom 

Guilt finally got me knitting Mark's socks, but once I finished them, I knew I was bitten by the sock bug. I knit these socks toe-up as I admittedly am not a fan of kitchener, but I know I'll have to get over that if I want to knit more socks.


Feeling in the mood to be free wheeling, I didn't follow a pattern but rather incorporated different techniques as the sock developed. Okay, call me lazy -- I didn't knit proper short rows but used this method instead to turn the heel (and it worked beautifully).  Yup, as the designer says no muss, no fuss.


The yarn did all the striping work and before I knew it, I was done ... and no second sock syndrome! With my mind completely overtaken with sock patterns, I was so delighted to listen to Knit Picks Kelly's recent interview with Frances Fisher, a soon-to-be 88 year-old knitter who has knit 200 pairs of socks (thats 400 socks, people) and is still knitting socks to this day.  Oh, and guess what?  She has never knit toe-up.  Kitchener stitch, here I come.

21 comments:

  1. I got bitten by the Sock Bug last night, and dug out some yarn I bought almost 2 years ago to get started. Hoping to cast on today!

    Love how Mark's socks turned out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yippeee! You, too? Can't wait to compare notes.

      Delete
  2. Welcome to the dark side! I'm definitely more of a cuff-down, one-at-a-time sock knitter. There's such a zen to knitting a sock. I never understood it until I started my Year of Socks. Your pair looks great - can't wait to more socks from you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL ... dark side, indeed. I have socks on the brain and it's buzzing! I totally agree with your zen analogy.

      Delete
  3. Kitchener isn't too bad, you just have to memorize it, something I am getting CLOSE to doing. I like to up better though. Those socks are lovely, I can't wait to see what else this year brings for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm in awe that you're close to memorizing the kitchener stitch. I still have to refer to my notes and videos!

      Delete
  4. Wow, 400 socks is quite an accomplishment. I'm very impressed! I love your socks, they look like a perfect fit and everything. I rarely knit socks top down, it just isn't as fun or efficient. That method of doing the heel is excellent isn't it? I definitely look forward to seeing more pretty socks from you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sox always have been my fave.
    I love the variety of colors and patterns in my sock drawers.

    Hubby appreciates his, also.

    I believe Cookie A designed sox have the majority here, there are so many great designers.

    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have only ever knit one single sock so I can't even imagine knitting 400 socks! That is crazy. Those socks turned out so cute... excuse me manly. I can't wait to see your future socks!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've got Cookie A's book sock innovation and it is wonderful, I can really recommend it. Lovely patterns and a ton of info about sock design together with some great step by step instructions, even for Kitchener. I quite like it now. Nearly :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Awesome! I love the sock bug, and tbh, socks are what finally taught me how to do Kitchener properly, and now I don't even think twice about it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great Job! Love the self-striping yarn and especially love how you made it up as you went along! Although I own a lot of sock knitting books, I am not a very experienced or motivated sock knitter. So please, let me know if I can unload a few of them your way. I would love to help with your Year of the Sock :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Now I am not a sock knitter - I just can't find anything appealing in knitting exactly the same thing twice in succession - but I can certainly admire the efforts of others and these look like fine socks, however they were made. I shall follow your sock adventures with interest :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great socks--lucky recipient. :) I was all set to start my first pair of socks this month, but I chickened out and started a baby dress for my expected 3rd granddaughter this spring. I do hope to tackle a pair of socks...eventually.
    *smiles*

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, you are fast! Socks are awesome to make. Socks used to seem super hard and intimidating to me but once you jumpmin, you get hookednand realize it's easier than it looks. This color way is a tabby-tiger hybrid.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The socks look great - congrats on getting a pair done!

    I know you said you want (or was it need?) to become friends with Kitchener. But, if it's because you want to avoid the short row heel, Wendy's toe-up slip stitch heel is awesome http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wendy-knits-toe-up-slip-stitch-heel. My favorite part is that you don't have to pick up any stitches. Instead, the gusset is eaten up with ssk and k2tog. It's a great-fitting heel.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ah, you know this post makes me wicked happy! Love your socks and so glad you have been bitten by the sock bug.
    Happy knitting!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a fab pair of socks and I'm in awe that you didn't us a pattern, I wouldn't know where to begin.
    I've caught your sock bug !!!!! I've just finished my first sock and did Kitchner stitch for the first time, it worked out great. I found a great You tube video with easy follow instructions, she had a great way of remembering, which way to put needle. It was by KnittingHelp.Com.
    Can't wait to start a second pattern. Deb x

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm going to check out that heel technique. I use knitwitch's youtube kitchener tutorial every time. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Considering I actually have 5 pair on the needles right now...you know where I stand...

    ReplyDelete