Taexalia

wild.life

The Joy of Socks

I am addicted to knitting. It all started with a gift from @ of a book, some wool and needles and now, in true *me* style, there are more needles, another book and lots of delicious wool. Yes - I have another creative interest that involves stuff and poses a storage problem.

We need a bigger place to live.

But sock knitting is so much fun! I started off with the baby bootees for the bun my sister is baking and then I made myself a pair of socks that had a cute twisted knit that meant no heel. Then I decided to try a "basic tubular sock". I chose the largest size and used the circular needle @ had bought me, despite the fact the pattern rattled on about dpns. It was only when I got to working the heel that I discovered that it was quite important that I had dpns, it was also 11pm and no shops selling dpns were open - so I found some online and ordered and then got some small watercolour brushes and improvised.

You might say that first sock (which is the underneath one in the picture) was my Learning Curve Sock. I learned so much about knitting in the journey from cuff to toe. I learned that when you are knitting in the round, stocking stitch is made by knitting every stitch - there's about 10 rows after the ribbed cuff that look odd because I was knitting one round then purling one round and wrinkling my forehead in confusion and swearing that the pattern must be wrong. I also learned that when you have turned a sock right side out so your beloved can try it to see if the foot is long enough yet, you must remember to turn it inside out again before working the toe.

The second sock was made using dpns and I discovered that I prefer working with them than with circular needles. I also like bamboo needles more than metal ones. When I finished the second sock I was quite proud of it and @ is quite chuffed too.

The socks below were completed this week and last night presented to a friend as part of her birthday stash. I really liked the pattern, loved the wool and now I want a pair for myself. I have to say in this modern world of commerce it is very satisfying to give someone a pair of socks I made myself. It is going to be my *thing* this year