Socks appeal
OK knitters, explain it to me. What is the appeal of knitting socks? I don't see or hear the fanaticism for knitting scarves or sweaters, but I've encountered socks mania plenty in blog land. Most recently Donna has fallen prey to the sock-knitting cult. Socks are probably the number one suggestion whenever I put out a request for future projects. (Incidentally, I could probably use some for my film festival trip next week.)
Do I not get it because I don't wear crazy, multi-colored socks? If I did, would I be a true believer? What is it about socks that captures the imagination of knitters like nothing else?
I promise I'll attempt to knit some after I've moved. Until then, clue me in.
posted by the secret knitter @ 11:56 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
I'm working on my first sock (second actually, but I didn't finish the first one and will frog it to start over at some point), so I don't have that much experience. However, for me the appeal is a small portable project and the yarns are amazing! Also, I've always had quite the sock collection, so that helps feed the obsession, of course. But really, the portability is awesome...my project fits in a tiny bag, even my purse, and I don't have to lug around a couple balls of yarn and big needles...great for working on anyway!
For me, it's the process, I think. No, it's the yarn. All those amazing colors and textures. Wait, it's the process! Really. Taking the needles and finding your way through the pattern past the cuff (top down) to the heel, turning the heel, picking up the stitches for the foot, and then closing the toe... I like to think about the times when all socks were knit by hand, how small children were taught to knit socks.
And did I mention the yarn? ;-)
(Not all of it is crazy colors, Mark.)
It's a couple of things:
1. The magic of knitting a tube and then turning the heel and seeing the sock form - the process if you will.
2. The endless variation in the colours of the yarn, the question as to how each row will turn out.
3. The huge number of patterns available free on-line.
4. Small and portable.
5. Looks really impressive to non-knitters. I pulled out my sock while waiting for choir rehearsal and one guy sat literally open-mouthed watching.
There is some very nice subtle sock yarn about too, and you know sock yarn (apparently) doesn't count as stash...
I don't know! I just want to make socks! And all the other knitters just make them looks sooo cool...
Come to the dark side, Mark! ;-)
Must...resist...
See what I mean? Write about socks and the commenters come out of the woodworks. :)
They're fun, they're fairly fast, they're portable. You can try new techniques on a smaller scale, and if it's wrong, frog it and start over. Less scary than a whole sweater for sure. I've been bitten by the bug.
There is absolutely nothing like the squishiness of handknit socks. No machine made sock I have ever touched has the pure sensual cushioning of handknit socks.
I started knitting socks for the challenge, I continue to knit socks for my pleasure and adoration for the squish-factor.
(You can thank Karen for sending me over.)
I have recently been caught in a sock jag... my first four pairs ever within back to back with very little else on the needles.
Socks are small, portable, and nearly instant gratification. Also, they feel freaking fantastic on your feet. Wide variety of sock yarns available, different fibres, colours, multi-colours, tweeds. Then there's the stitch possibilities -- cables, lace, etc, or simple plain vanilla sock rounds. Whatever you want for whatever mood you're in, and all small-scale enough that if you decide you don't enjoy knitting a stitch pattern, it's over before you begin to hate it with the fire of a thousand suns.
For me, it's mostly about the portability, because I'm on the go a lot, and it's more convenient to tote than anything else!
They're a completely frivolous luxury. There's nothing quite like wearing a pair of handknit socks. It's a fairly discreet way to wear something you've made almost every day and something about the yarn and stitches against the feet is a nice little feeling of pampering.
They're small, they fit everyone regardless of age, gender, size, body image.
They're relatively quick to make.
They can be as simple or as complex as you want them to be.
The yarns made for the purpose are endless. Buying sock yarn is a great way to support indie dyers and has been an endless avenue for thriving small businesses.
They're fleeting. No matter how well you care for them, well worn socks will eventually wear out to the point that they cannot be repaired. The fact that we are willing to put the time and effort into making something that will some day be used to the point of demise makes it a pure act of love.
I'm only an inch down from the cuff on my very first sock -- but this is some seriously nifty stuff. I like mindless stockingette as much as the next beginning knitter, but the way the tube emerges from the unlikely square of needles, the way the fifth needle swoops in to do its job and then takes its place in line ... I admit I am terrified of turning the heel, but right now I am just grooving on the coolness of knitting a tube with double-points, and I kept the ribbing in the right place, too!
I'm only an inch down from the cuff on my very first sock -- but this is some seriously nifty stuff. I like mindless stockingette as much as the next beginning knitter, but the way the tube emerges from the unlikely square of needles, the way the fifth needle swoops in to do its job and then takes its place in line ... I admit I am terrified of turning the heel, but right now I am just grooving on the coolness of knitting a tube with double-points, and I kept the ribbing in the right place, too!
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