Knit Socks

I just finished my first pair of knit socks!

(Warning: if you are not a knitter you may find this post extremely confusing)

I've heard that hand knit socks are lovely and make great gifts so I thought I would get into it. Last Saturday I bought a skein of this crazy soft (and super fine) Mohair yarn from Lone Star Quiltworks (it's hand wash only, but I just couldn't resist the softness). And size 5 double pointed needles. I started to make a sock but the mohair yarn left no room for mistakes... yanking out yarn was extremely hard. I decided to scratch that and start with something more forgiving. I grabbed fatter yarn and fatter needles (the key to knitting anything quickly).

The world of sock knitting is quite intense. I didn't know so much went into knitting socks and in the midst of construction I was wondering to myself why anyone even bothered. However, after slipping on my 'quick knit' socks I completely understood.

I really liked the idea of knitting two socks at once. It's quite involved making just one sock. Then after you complete that one you have to start all over with the next one... I feel it's kinda discouraging. I wasn't sure whether to go the double pointed or circular route... a friend suggested double pointed because it's what she likes... however you have to buy two sets of needles for that. I was too cheap for that and decided I would just do it the original way... one sock at a time. Well, with a gauge of 8-10 to an inch I got very discouraged.

I had heard of a "magic loop" method of knitting socks on long circular needles... and as a added bonus you can do multiple socks at once without buying a second set of needles. After sufficiently frustrating myself with the Mohair I decided I definitely needed to learn this "magic loop" method.

I found a great website that had several videos for this very thing (She also has videos for the regular double pointed method). The 'quick sock' pattern I had found (for free) was a very similar gauge & pattern to the sock she knits, so it was just prefect!

The verdict? I LOVE magic loop! This is a great method. I mean... with ONE pair of circular needles I could possibly knit an entire sweater... with seamless sleeves & everything! So, I've finally decided to start saving up for an interchangeable circular needle set. I've been eyeing sets for a long time but didn't really know the true versatility of it... now I understand and don't think $200 is too much to pay for one. And I definitely want it in bamboo... I just need to make sure the wires are flexible enough.

And that mohair?... Well, I didn't toss it out. It was a great price & like I said ridiculously soft. And while I don't have the money to invest in an interchangeable set yet I'll probably just buy some small sized circular needles to make one of the several patterns I've found on Raverly. And after that I might venture into socks for Christmas gifts.

Whatever I decide I'll keep you posted!