The Sock Thing

I tried the different ways to knit socks:

• One-at-a-time on double pointed needles (DPNs). This is how I did my first pair.
  
• Magic Loop - two socks at the same time on one long circular.
  
• Two socks on two circulars.
  

To spice it up a bit:

• Two socks - Toe up on Magic Loop. I had two pair on different circulars, 1 toe-up the other pair cuff down.
  
• The 2 circulars socks were toe up.
• The DPNs socks were cuff down.

I found out that no matter how easy it may seem, I, personally can't get a handle on 2 socks on 2 circulars. I have knitted a pair on the 2 circulars - but that was one sock at a time. It's just 2 needles - four points. Should be easy to handle the extra sock. I kept getting lost and tangled. I will attempt them again but at the moment. It's not contender.

Magic Loop - I thought I would have the same problem I was having on the 2-on-2. Once I got it figured out it was fast and fun! Stitch markers really came in handy on this one! I liked how I didn't have to pick up a dropped needle. That was an added plus! My toe-up socks on Magic Loop are going slowly, not due to any problems but to lack of time.

DPNs...this is my go-to-for-mindless knitting. Handy for waiting at the doctor's office, in line at the stores, walking to my Dad's (yes, I can knit and walk at the same time)! I love to make my husband's socks this way! Sometimes his socks have more miles on them before he wears them! I take the DPN socks wherever I go!

I do know of another way to make socks but that leaves a seam to sew up and I'm darn picky about things like that. The less to seam-up the less aggravation in the wearing!

So let's see;

• Magic Loop - toe-up or cuff-down - lacy or basic patterns. I will use this method for at least half of my sock knitting.
• DPNs - my favorite hands down. I don't even need to think about the pattern. Just need the weight of the yarn, the needle size the stitches per inch, the shoe size of the person I'm knitting them for and let me have at it!
• Two-socks-on-two circulars - not doing 2 socks at a time. Just one, very lonely one-at-a-time pair. I may revisit this method but for now - ain't gonna happen!
• Toe-up or cuff down - this is a non-issue. It's the pattern of the sock that will grab my attention.

The experiment is done. The trials, the frogging-it, the where is sock A, B, or C is over. Now I just have to finish that last few rows and bingo 4 pairs of socks will be done! It was a fun experience. A learning experience that has me wanting to go to a yarn shop and say,
"I like knitting socks - the method doesn't matter". That would drop some stitches wouldn't it?

I Bought Yarn Just Because...Sort Of...

I went to the LYS (local yarn shop) to find a pattern for a cute sweater for the under utilized group of 4-10 size for kids. Never go w/ your family. Hubby, dd #3 and son, as I looked for patterns to knit, they were enjoying the rest of the store. When we met back up, they started checking out yarn.

"Mom, this is nice"....feeling weak at the knees. "This is awesome sock yarn - I love the colors". DD#3 knows my weakness for socks! I knew better than to reach out and touch it. Dear Daughter #3 has a pair of socks started on the needles already. I usually finish a pair of socks before I buy more sock yarn. I resisted! Then it called to me I swear! A wonderful black to light gray skein of the softest superwash wool I've come across. Same yarn DD#3 liked but it made me think of Hubby. Who likes crew socks, size 10 shoe- more knitting. The skein never left my hand. Even joked that they don't see a skein in my hand. Up to the register w/ the patterns I found and the yarn. I bought a skein of yarn just because I fell for it. Didn't make it half way home before I had a pattern figured out for Hubby's socks. Wouldn't ya know, I left my knitting bag at home. The first time I left at home on purpose and I needed my sock needles!

I'm not one to buy yarn because the sale is 80% off original price just to have it. I am not one who sees a ugly, I mean really ugly mustard yellow 100% wool on super sale and buy up the last 20 skeins just because it's on sale. Wait, I mentioned this in another post...fast forward.

I do buy yarn when it's on 80% off, in the color, content and amount I need for a project that all the details are in my knitting journal. Sue me, I like to make notes...(I can never remember if it's 653 yards in a worsted weight or 356 in a chunky weight). A beautiful 100% cotton, in a natural that I coveted while it was full price, I will buy! I need 6 skeins! The Cherry Tree Hill, a sport weight mohair boucle in Serengeti (bright pinks, yellows, oranges and reds) original price $35 for $7.56 - in the basket it went. I also tossed in a couple of skeins of Red Heart texture yarn in gold too. Total of $117 worth of yarn for $30 bucks!

The Cherry Tree Hill is going to be a sleeved wrap. The cotton a basic cardigan - gotta love wardrobe builders. The gold yarn is already made into prayer shawls. All had a purpose before I bought them. Just waited like a vulture for the discounts!

Back to that wonderful black/gray superwash wool sock yarn. It calls to me daily. It's where I can see it. I need the needles that are already in the middle of the cuff of DD#3's socks. Talk about getting it done! Happy Happy Joy joy - I bought a skein just because, sort of!