Well, at least for me, socks are the ultimate challenge. And here is why. First, I am not very good in knitting techniques and making heels seems to be quite a difficult thing to do. Second, I do not know how to read knitting patterns... auch … Third, you need to adapt the pattern for your own foot size. And last, there is the gauge issue if you want to use another type of yarn than the one used in some pre-made pattern. Ok, so it seems that in my case it would be better to either crochet a pair of socks or just buy some.
But NO! I refuse to give up! It can’t be that hard! I mean, socks were made since human kind discovered wool and needles, and those women who first knitted some socks did not have a degree and they certainly did not have internet! And I have. So, I started to look around for someone to explain me how to make socks FOR ME or FOR WHOEVER I WANT. In other words, I wanted to find out the principles of constructing a perfect fitting pair of socks. I thought: if I can figure out that, rest is a question of refining the knitting technique.
After looking around the internet for a while I found a really cool (for me anyway) guide written by Michele from the Puritantherapy blog. Her advices and explanations are based on her experience with knitting socks 2 at a time using circular needles. Her starting point was a series of video tutorials explaining how to do that. Good video tutorials by the way. I am not going to repeat all she said – you can read it directly on her blog. Point is that I found the explanations enlightening: finally someone who gave me the tools to make my own socks! But there was a problem: I do not know how to use circular needles to knit in round. I know how to use double pointed needles though!
And that is exactly what I did. I followed her instructions on how to calculate length, width, number of stitches, increases and such and I figured that I will just knit the socks one by one. On double pointed knitting needles. How hard can that be? Turns out that is not that hard. The first sock was not that great and I had to unravel and knit again several times. Then, I had no idea that there is a magic loop casting method for toe-up socks. Now I know. Too bad that I found out about that after I finished both socks. Ah well, next time I will know better. Then… well, then there were some other mistakes but I am not going to go into more detail. Let’s just call them the results of a learning process :P
BUT! At the end of the day I have my first pair of socks. Made by me! For me! I love them, even with all the imperfections. Because they stand for something: a challenge that I won :)
But NO! I refuse to give up! It can’t be that hard! I mean, socks were made since human kind discovered wool and needles, and those women who first knitted some socks did not have a degree and they certainly did not have internet! And I have. So, I started to look around for someone to explain me how to make socks FOR ME or FOR WHOEVER I WANT. In other words, I wanted to find out the principles of constructing a perfect fitting pair of socks. I thought: if I can figure out that, rest is a question of refining the knitting technique.
After looking around the internet for a while I found a really cool (for me anyway) guide written by Michele from the Puritantherapy blog. Her advices and explanations are based on her experience with knitting socks 2 at a time using circular needles. Her starting point was a series of video tutorials explaining how to do that. Good video tutorials by the way. I am not going to repeat all she said – you can read it directly on her blog. Point is that I found the explanations enlightening: finally someone who gave me the tools to make my own socks! But there was a problem: I do not know how to use circular needles to knit in round. I know how to use double pointed needles though!
And that is exactly what I did. I followed her instructions on how to calculate length, width, number of stitches, increases and such and I figured that I will just knit the socks one by one. On double pointed knitting needles. How hard can that be? Turns out that is not that hard. The first sock was not that great and I had to unravel and knit again several times. Then, I had no idea that there is a magic loop casting method for toe-up socks. Now I know. Too bad that I found out about that after I finished both socks. Ah well, next time I will know better. Then… well, then there were some other mistakes but I am not going to go into more detail. Let’s just call them the results of a learning process :P
BUT! At the end of the day I have my first pair of socks. Made by me! For me! I love them, even with all the imperfections. Because they stand for something: a challenge that I won :)