Question of the Week and Hostess Notes

Here's a question that I asked on my personal blog earlier in the week and thought it was pretty appropriate for here.

Do you darn your socks when they develop holes or do they get tossed?

For those of you interested in darning, but don't know how, here is a wonderful tutorial. It is much easier to repair an area that looks a little thin, but hasn't quite developed a whole yet. You just do duplicate stitches. Since most holes/thin areas are on the bottom of the foot, you don't even have to have the exact yarn you used for the sock. I do darn my socks. I'm getting enough in the rotation that I don't have to do it often, but it does occasionally happen and I just can't bear to part with any of my socks just yet. And it's just part of wearing handknit socks for me.

I'll ask some questions about the More Sensational Knitted Socks book once I get my copy. Mine's on order with another book that's not released for another couple of days. Hopefully, mine will show up soon. I've heard good things!

Hostess notes: I have been better about trying to get everyone timely invitations and up on the sidebar, but there are occasional oversights. Also, I have sent some invitations out that haven't been accepted, so if you're wondering why you can't post or why you're not on the sidebar yet, this might be the case with you. Just email me and let me know; I know my email sometimes catches things like invitations and won't let them through. One more thing, I'm probably going to be scarce for the next week or two, some personal things. So if you don't get an invite immediately or I don't get your name up on the blog, please be patient with me. Thanks for your time. I can't wait to see what everyone makes from the new book!

Question of the Week and Socks

Lia suggested this week's question. She doesn't care for crazy socks, so she's looking for some other ideas for the leftover bits of yarn.

So, what do you do with your leftover sock yarns?

I plan to do some "crazy socks" someday, but in a methodical way. I was planning on using bits and scraps of similar or complementary colorways and using a black or other solid color and using Fair Isle to make identical or at least very similar socks. I also make a few mini socks here and there. I've been known to make some sock earrings. Scraps also make good baby socks and dolls socks for the kiddies. Since I occasionally play with miniatures, I do think I could use some sock yarn for mini-afghans. And there are tons of books out there with knitted stuffed toys, bears and sweaters for the toys. I think scraps would make for very interesting stuffed toys. I'd really like to know what every one else uses their scraps for and feel free to post pictures of something really cool you've done with the scraps.

In other news, I've started my first toe-up socks using the Oriel pattern.

I think the pattern and the yarn are competing with each other, but I really like how it's turning out. It's Apple Laine yarn and completely yummy stuff!

Question of the Week

I'm surprised at how many people used circulars for their socks. Maybe someday I'll give it a try, but for now, I'm happy with my DPNs. Now, for this week's question:

How many pairs of socks could you make with your current sock yarn stash? Come on, be honest! Be brave!

I just counted my stash and figured I have about enough for 40 pairs of socks which is a lot less than I had thought. I probably could work out a few more socks by combining some of the leftovers and I'll probably do that at some point, but actual full skeins of yarn will get me about 40 pairs. I was thinking I had enough for at least a pair a week for a year. I certainly won't feel quite so guilty with my next sock yarn purchase :-) I did finish a pair of socks, but they're just a plain 3X1 rib, not really anything out of SKS except for the forethought heel. I'm probably going to attempt my first toe-up socks using a pattern from the book. Just have to figure out which one!

Question of the Week

Dana suggested the question of the week - needle style - but I thought I'd expand it a little:

What is your favorite method of doing socks? This includes needle style, preferred heel (flap, short row, afterthought, etc), favorite toe, toe up or cuff down, and any other sock method related things you can think of.

My favorite method is DPNs. I've never tried the circular needles (though I love them for just about everything else), but I think working with DPNs for me is relaxing and repetitive. I much prefer heel flaps to any other heel; it just fits my foot better, but I have been known to do one short row (which I didn't care for at all) and I like the forethought heel for certain yarns. And I've never tried toe up, so I'll probably always prefer cuff down, but my next pair will be toe up so I can maximize the yarn.

Question of the Week

How did you start making socks?

I learned to knit when I was a kid, but didn't do it for many years. About three years ago, I re-learned to knit and while browsing online for knitting books, I came across a sock book. I knew, of course, that that's how socks used to be made. (My grandmother has since told me stories of her grandmother who used to spin cotton and then knit all the children and grandchildren socks; this was in the South. Since I also spin, it's a connection to my own grandmother since she enjoys watching me whenever I visit down there and bring my wheel.) I hated buying socks because they never fit me, my feet were always cold, and the storebought socks always wore out quickly. Did people actually really still make socks? (Little did I know then ;-) So I bought the book, bought some Lorna's Laces and was hooked. I buy a lot of sock books, but usually use SKS for my guidelines and rework any other patterns as needed.

I'd love to hear how you started making socks!

Question of the Week

What is your favorite pattern from SKS?

I know it's a tough question because there are so many lovely ones. I think my very favorite is the waterfall rib. I just love how my waterfall rib socks turned out.

Note: I'm still trying to rebuild the members list, so if you don't see your name on there, let me know at the email address in the sidebar with your blog address (if you have one) and the name as you'd like it to appear. If you don't have a blog, I've just linked you right back the the KAL page. It just made setting up a link list much easier that way.

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Question of the Week and More Hostess Notes

I'm going to try to start doing a question of the week and everyone can just answer in the comments. My question this week:

What is your favorite sock yarn and why?

My favorite sock yarn changes periodically, but right now it's Cherry Tree Hill because it's so soft and the colors so vibrant. Just look at my post from a couple of days ago. It's lovely stuff!

And your hostess note: As you can see, I've been playing around in the New Blogger and I've messed up the Members List. If you want your name in the sidebar, please send an email to the address in the sidebar with the subject "name in sidebar". I'm sorry for the inconvenience and I hope to get the buttons back up later in the week as well!