Today’s post is a meme about sock knitting. I saw it at Cookie’s and then I saw it at Terry’s and now you’re seeing it here. Just so you know, the mosaic is a compilation of the last 16 pairs of socks I have finished. It dates from late Dec 2007 to the present and it gives a pretty good visual to go along with the meme.
When did you first learn to knit socks?
I started knitting socks in the spring of 2002.
What’s the first sock you ever knit?
The first sock I ever knit was a pair of socks for Dale. I knit them for him to wear at Civil War reenactments and I used what I thought was a period correct pattern. It wasn’t, as it turns out, but it was a good first sock. Well, except that I used Lopi Lite and they were so scratchy he never actually wore them.
Favorite Sock Pattern?
My go-to sock is a plain stockinette with a picot edge, heel flap and round toe. I use 72 stitches if they are for Dale, 64 stitches if they are for me and 56 stitches if they are for Hannah.
Favorite needle method?
I’m a Magic Looper but I learned on double pointed needles and I still use those if I’m at a reenactment.
Favorite sock needles?
Addi Turbos size one or zero.
Who do you knit socks for?
Most of the socks I knit are for me but I do knit socks for Hannah and Dale occasionally. Sometimes I knit socks for other family members but socks take a lot of time so I like to make sure that they will be appreciated – I’ve been burned in the past. I also participate in sock swaps now and then.
How many pairs have you knitted to date?
Since I started blogging I’ve knit 75 pairs of socks. I don’t think there were more than a few pairs before that so I’m going with ~80.
What is on your sock knitting to-do list?
I’m signed up for the Trick of Treat Sock Swap so I need to pick a design for those. I’m leaning towards Nutkin at the moment.
What kind of socks to you like to knit-
Striped? Definitely. You’ve seen my stash of Vesper sock yarn, right?
Colorwork? I’ll save the colorwork for mittens.
Plain Stockinette? Way too often.
Cabled? Certainly, I love cables.
Lace? Oh yes!
Anklets? Nope!
Knee Socks? Hannah really wants a pair of knee socks and I imagine I’ll get to it one of these days.
Solid colors? Yes, especially if I’m using a lace or cabled pattern.
Bright and crazy? Ummm, did you see the mosaic up there?
Faux Fair Isle (the yarn doing all of the work)? I’ve done this but I mostly stick with the handpainted yarns these days.
Tag a few sock knitters here: You know the drill. If you’re a sock knitter and you need some blog fodder then consider yourself tagged.
margene Said,
Good work and a very nice mosaic of your sock obsession! Have you seen my mojo?
Kathy Said,
Impressive number of socks knit! And so cute!
Wool Winder Said,
That’s a lot of socks. Pair 100 is just around the corner.
Karen Said,
Nutkin is a great pattern. I did some this summer and would knit them again in a minute.
Barbara-Kay Said,
Wow, Carole. That’s more than a pair a month, every month for 6 years. And I know you have knit shawls and scarves, too. I’m so impressed!
(I can always jog DH’s memory when I am speaking of you, “Remember the ‘man lace’ modeled on the Civil War uniform?”)
Marcia Cooke Said,
That’s a lotta socks! I tried a different browser, by the way, and can see your photos now….still not on Bloglines, though. Strange.
Knitnana Said,
I like the mosaic..will have to reserve this meme for a soon-to-be post.
Scratchy socks? EWW.
Poor Dave!
LOVE the colors and the mosaic you came up with…and your basic sock pattern is the one I use, except I do 52 up the foot and 60 around the cuff!! Isn’t knitting to your size great?
(((hugs)))
Hillary Said,
How funny that the first socks were too scratchy to wear. I guess we all have a yarn choice mistake (or 10) like that in our past.
Danielle Said,
I love your sock mosaic!
(PS — Look at the Ravelry comments about Nutkin — a lot of people dislike the biasing that the pattern causes.)
Karen Said,
That’s a lot of socks. I’ll have to see if I can figure out how many pairs I have knit. I don’t think it’s anywhere near 80.
claudia Said,
Dude, you’ve definitely knit more socks than I have. Wow.
Cheryl S. Said,
If I made a mosaic of the last 16 pairs of socks I’ve knit, there would be an awful lot of empty spaces.
Beth Said,
I loved seeing your mosaic!
If I completed that meme, it wouldn’t take me long.
I’ve knit one pair of socks and the toe unraveled on that pair! But, I plan on trying again after Alhambra.
Birdsong Said,
What a very fun mosaic of your socks! You DO go for color… and I admire how you can churn these babies out.
elizabeth Said,
Wow, I haven’t even knit 16 pairs of socks! And I’m not feeling the sock love just now, but seeing your mosiac might get me over that!
Cookie Said,
You like bright colors? I never knew that. ;^)
Fabulous mosaic, Carole!
kathy b Said,
aqua brown blue stripes are my favorite!
deb Said,
Love the mosaic!! Great meme…
Teyani Said,
Lookey Lookey those gorgeous socks! It’s so fun seeing them all together in a mosaic.
great meme. 80 pairs. whoa.. applause, applause.
I think my sock mojo is hiding out with margene’s.. have you seen them?
~Kristie Said,
Holy guacamole! You should be crowned as sock queen or something.
kmkat Said,
The third photo in the first row: those socks look like a grade school globe!
heather Said,
wow. 80 pairs of socks. i think my jaw dropped. that was actually an interesting meme too, i’m glad you did it. 80 socks…….