Sockstory

I think I’m a little late to the party answering Lolly’s Sock History questions for Socktoberfest. But better late than never, you know.

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I started making socks in April, 2002. As a Civil War reenactor I knew that knitting socks would be very historically accurate so I taught myself from the Atlantic Guard Soldier’s Sock Pattern.

What was your first pair? How have they “held up” over time?
My first pair was for Dale to wear reenacting and I knit them out of Lopi Lite in off-white with navy blue heels and toes. They’ve held up wonderfully because the yarn is too scratchy and Dale won’t wear them. He does use them for “show and tell” during school and living history demonstrations, though, so they weren’t a total waste.

What would you have done differently?
I would have used softer yarn! After I got better at sock knitting I switched to finer sock yarn and smaller needles. Now I knit my socks on size 1 Addi Turbos.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
I’ve tried lots of sock yarns. In fact, Kathy calls my sock yarn stash the “Museum of Sock Yarns” because I have so many different types. I’ve enjoyed working with Opal and Fleece Artist and Socks that Rock. But my all time favorite sock yarn is Vesper Self-Striping. I can’t get enough of it!

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
Magic Loop all the way unless I’m at a Civil War reenactment and then I use double points in the interest of being period correct.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I’m a flapper and have no desire to try another type of heel.

How many pairs have you made?
I have finished 35 pairs of socks. I have no socks without mates as I don’t allow myself to succumb to second sock syndrome.

So that’s my sockstory. And I’m sticking to it.

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This Post Has 20 Comments

  1. Lopi Socks. Wow. My hands would have fallen off and I’d have never knit another sock. You’ve got sticktoitiveness, girl.

    And Vesper is one I haven’t tried… I’ll have to add it to my own museum. Thanks for the story.

  3. Dale and his lite Lopis – very funny. I can see it. Sometimes socks are just too rustic. I wish I could justify cashmere socks.

  5. Wow, Lopi socks! You know, that was probably one of the most authentic though! But I bet they were scratchy as hell 😛

    Thanks for sharing your history, Carole!

  7. I love that you don’t “allow yourself” to have SSS. I’d make the same rule for myself if only I didn’t routinely ignore my own authority.

  8. Oh, Great Sock Guru–Lite Lopi socks?!? What was Dale’s reaction the first time he put them on? (I’ll bet it was positive, ’cause he’s such a sweet guy.) What did her really think of them?

  16. We “flappers” need a button, I think. Or a support group. 😉

    I would absolutely wear Lopi socks, to bed if nowhere else (I’m not sure I could fit Lopi socks into any of my shoes. Too thick. But on a really cold day it would be worth trying!) Sigga Sif knit a pair out of variegated Lopi not too long ago, and they were so gorgeous they practically made me drool.

  20. My brother in law does CS reenactments – I should make him some socks. heh But he wouldn’t want scratchy ones!

    Ahhh I’ve been behind. LOVE the cranberries – can’t wait to make cranberry sauce – I make it several times during the fall/winter because they’re so affordable and available at the grocery store but I’ve never used fresh just picked real from the bog cranberries – mine are always from a plastic bag in the produce dept. Share your relish/sauce recipe some time, please? 🙂

    LOVE the Spinaversary story about ALL. YOUR. WHEELS. My word. I hope to have five spindles after a year. hehe

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