Since this month has been RAINY, I feel like my spring is slipping away and the heat of summer will break out in full force. I had to have a new distraction to brighten the gray days. Knitting socks has provided the perfect mental focus. I always thought they were way out of my league. All those little needles sticking out and tiny yarn tangling on the tips, how could that be fun?This whole thing started with a question from my SIL on Mother's Day, "Have you ever knit socks?" My answer was, "No, because sock yarn is usually wool." But, I got to thinking with all the new fibers, surely knitters had more choices, like bamboo and cotton blends. So I went on a quest to find the best circular needles, the best sock method/book (no local yarn shops with classes), and sock yarn in blends less than 50% wool (I have allergies to wool fibers).
I posted an off topic question about circular needles on the treadle owners' list and it just sort of evolved from needles to books on knitting socks. One lady said the best book was The Crazy Toes and Heels Sock Book by Mary Ann Beattie. Her claim that I could knit socks with any yarn in my own gauge and two circular needles, no little needles sliding out and dropping tiny stitches; sold me. I joined the Yahoo help list and ordered the book.
Well, I must say, Mary Ann's method is easy. If you can knit and read instructions, socks are a moderate challenge with a worsted weight yarn. I now feel confident to try my second pair with finer yarn. And, yes, they will match this time. ;)
4 comments:
Good for you. I am hoping to master the 2 socks, 2 circs method this year! I have had that book for about 3 years, and it is very confusing to me. I am waiting until I can go to the group that meets each week to get some lessons. They are in my area, but still about 35 miles from me, so its a little hard to get there.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Donna, you might want to check out the book, Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks, by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. The section on knitting the first pair of 2 toe-up socks is written in clear, easy to follow steps. It looks a lot less intimidating with the steps and pictures all together. Melissa also encourages knitting a pair of socks in different worsted weight colors to see the process.
I chose the Queen Kahuna book because I wanted to use any yarn/any gauge. I broke down the process, learning the cast-on and increases, using them to knit a little bag. Once those are mastered, it is easy make it to the heel turn. The heel turn in the Crazy Toes & Heels Sock Book is very fuzzy. ;) I have an extra help file that I found at the Yahoo list site to clarify it.
Great job, Sally. I love the two colors you chose and look forward to seeing your next pair (whether they match or not).
I love your first pair of socks, Sally. The colors are great and I look forward to seeing your next pair (whether they match or not).
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