A Change of Goals and a Relocation

Yesterday I posted my sock-knitting time to my time tracker and realized that for THREE WEEKS I had no sock-knitting time at ALL. This has caused me to rethink my 10,000 hour goal.
Since with very few exceptions I knit a little every day, maybe I should track 10,000 hours of knitting in general, not only socks. Don't get me wrong; I love knitting socks, but socks are by no means the only thing I knit.

So, as of today, I will track all my knitting time, not only my sock knitting time. Also, I've moved my time tracker to my "Cricket Knits a Bit" blog, and will not be posting to this blog any longer. I'll leave it here, but won't be updating it after today.

Good luck, all you 10kH-ers, and come visit me at Cricket Knits a Bit!

A Bit 'o Sock Knitting

I've been so busy trying to get my Christmas knitting finished that I've been neglecting my sock knitting terribly!

Yesterday I had to attend a meeting out-of-town and was lucky enough to be a passenger instead of a driver. It was a little over an hour away, so I managed to get in a couple of hours of sock knitting time. *YAY!*

I already had two pairs of socks on needles, but was nearly to the heel on both of them. I didn't want to have to carry a pattern on the trip, so Monday evening I cast on yet another pair of "plain vanilla" socks using the yummy yarn I won in Pretty Knitty's contest back in August. They're striping up beautifully, and though I didn't get a LOT of knitting done on them, I'm happy that I had a comfortable little project to help pass the traveling time.

Take Three

About a year ago I purchased some lovely yarn from KnitPicks. It was from their Stroll line of sock yarns, a lovely Ash Tweed. And so I cast on one of Wendy Johnson's lovely patterns, Diagonal Lace Socks, and all was going well.

....until I lost focus on the heel. Now I've knit a lot of socks in the past year, and the heel isn't intimidating to me any more. But a year ago, it was still pretty new territory for me. And I goofed. My goof resulted in a small flap of fabric on the inside of each heel. Initially I told myself, "It's INSIDE the heel. No one will ever know but me." So I continued to knit. BIG mistake. Even though no one knew about the goof other than me, I found myself avoiding working on the socks. Even when I did pick them up to work on them, that little odd flap of fabric inside the heels just made me NUTS.

So, in March I caved in, raveled the yarn, and rewound it back into two neat little yarn cakes. (This was before I learned the wisdom of putting in a lifeline before beginning the heel.) About a month ago I needed a "take along" project for a day trip and decided that a pair of plain vanilla socks would be just the thing. Waiting patiently in my stash basket were the two neat little cakes of Ash Tweed Stroll. Into my knitting project bag they went with the appropriate circular needles.

I worked happily on the socks while I was on my day trip and used them to fill odd times in waiting rooms and such. I wasn't making big progress on them, but they were certainly filling my need for an occasional "don't need to read a pattern" project.

Yesterday afternoon I had a doctor's appointment, so on my way out the door I grabbed my plain vanilla socks to work on in the waiting room. When I pulled them out of the canvas bag, I found that during my last rushed session working on them, I'd failed to pull the needle far enough through to prevent stitches from popping off one of the needles.

I sat in the waiting room, trying to make a decision. Okay, I could probably recreate the stitches that had popped off without too much grief. Then I looked at the plain little socks in my hand and thought, "You know, this yarn needs something more than plain 3-1 ribbing to show it off." So, while waiting, I frogged the socks. What's next? I'm leaning toward the Michigan Lake Shore Socks pattern I knitted back in April. Last time I knitted them from Sockotta so I'd have pretty summery cotton socks. But I really think this pattern will look good in this ash gray, too.

And so, take three on the same yarn. Keep your fingers crossed! :-)

Slow Time for Sock Knitting

Once again my sock knitting time has been eaten away by other projects! I'm currently trying to knit a decent Baby Surprise Jacket; my second attempt seems to be going very well. :-)

In the meantime, my "plain vanilla" socks sit on their needles, waiting for me patiently.

So much to knit, so little time!

More Baby Socks!

This morning I finished another pair of baby socks....aren't they cute? I made them with leftover Sockotta yarn (colorway "Snow Queen") from my second pair of Dragonfly Socks, and I'm very pleased.

I think it would be a wonderful idea for beginning sock knitters to knit a pair of baby socks as their first sock. You use all the techniques for "grown up" socks, but it doesn't take so long to knit because they're so itty bitty.

Dragonfly 2 Completed!

While I was on a camping trip last weekend I finished up my second pair of Dragonfly Socks. *happy dance* I really like using that pattern because it's quickly memorized and I can work without having to keep checking the pattern.

It was soooooooooo relaxing, lying in a lounge chair out in the fresh air under big ol' trees, sipping tea and knitting away. Now THAT's a restful weekend!

Return to Dragonfly

I finally finished all those dishcloths I promised for the family reunion, and am now back this morning to my Dragonfly socks. I have a terrible headache, but have managed to turn the heel and am now beginning to decrease the gussets.

I'm going to have to lay them aside for a bit, though, and take something for my head and lie down for awhile.

Stupid headache.

A Little Sock Knitting

"Little" being the important word in that title...*LOL* My sock-knitting time is still suffering due to the knitting of dishcloths, but I'm in the home stretch on those. Yesterday I caved, though, and laid aside the dishcloths to knit on a pair of baby socks. I've recently learned that we have not only one, but TWO babies due in the family early in 2011.

While knitting dishcloths over the weekend, I began to think that the method I use to knit "plain vanilla" socks should work beautifully for baby socks. So yesterday, using leftovers from the most recently completed pair of socks for myself (Dragonfly, they are, and quite nice even if I do say so myself), I cast on 20 stitches (10 stitches on each needle) and increased until I had a total of 40 stitches (20 on each needle). I then started working a k3p1 rib on top of the sock and a plain stockinette sole until the length looked right to begin the heel flap. I've turned the heel and am now nearly finished decreasing the gusset. They look just adorable! I'm so close to finishing them that I won't photograph them until they're done.

I always have leftover sock yarn, so I should have enough to knit several pairs of baby socks. It's fun to work on something now and again that's so quick to finish! Of course, before I start the next pair I really need to make a Wal-Mart run to buy some pre-fab socks so I can check the size. I think the pair I'm knitting are okay, but it's been a long time since I had a baby in the house, so I'd better check! *LOL*

Still More Other Stuff

As you can see by my Time Tracker, my sock knitting time is still suffering. I completed the doggie sweater, but then remembered that I'd promised a dozen hand-knit dishcloths to give as bingo prizes at the family reunion in August. So, I knew I'd better get those done.

I was camping this past weekend and had some good knitting time, but a lot of it went to the dishcloths .... 7 done, 5 to go!

Other Stuff

As you can see by my Time Tracker (link on right), my sock knitting time has suffered terribly in the past few days. The reason is that I'm knitting a doggie sweater for a Yorkie that belongs to a friend. I'm still KNITTING, you see, just not doing much sock knitting.

I think I should be finished with the sweater tomorrow, so I'll be getting back to my second pair of Dragonfly socks after that.

Dragonfly Completed!

I just finished and photographed my Dragonfly socks. I really enjoyed this project. The pattern was easy to memorize, and I loved working with the yarn!

I really want to knit one more pair of summer-weight socks before getting into other projects. I enjoyed the Dragonfly so much that I think I'm going to knit it again in a different yarn....Sockotta's "Snow Queen" this time.

But for now, I really must get to bed! Tomorrow's a work day, and that alarm's going to go off at 5:30. Where did the weekend go???

Adios, Swan Song...Howdy, Dragonfly!

I did, indeed finish off Swan Song on Saturday and moved on to Dragonfly by Jocelyn Sertich. As with all the socks I'm knitting these days, it's "sorta kinda" Dragonfly socks, because I have a particular toe and heel that feel right on my pudgy foot and I just use patterns for the pretty parts. :-)

I'm really loving this yarn; it's Supersocke 100 by ONline. It's soft and wonderful and springy to work with, and the stripes are working up just beautifully.

We're expecting rain on this Memorial Day, and I really don't mind. I'm planning on spending some more time with sticks and string! :-)

If Only I Could Knit In My Sleep

I very nearly finished my Swan Song socks this evening, but fell asleep in the recliner while knitting the ribbing at the top. *LOL*

I woke up just a few minutes ago and am now on my way to bed, where I should have been HOURS ago. Barring any unforeseen disasters, I'll be able to finish them up in the morning. Er....later today.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend, everyone!

Michigan Lake Shore Socks Complete!

I just finished and photographed my Michigan Lake Shore Socks....they fit just perfectly, and I'm very pleased. :-)

Tomorrow I'll get back to the Swan Song socks; I've only knit the toe of those, so I'm anxious to get back to them. After Swan Song? I'm thinking maybe Dragonfly. Still thinking about that, though.

Not Yet, But Pretty Soon!

I'm very close to finishing the Michigan Lake Shore Socks; with luck I think I'll finish them one evening this week. I could actually knit the ribbing at the top and be finished now, but wanted to use up as much of the yarn as possible. I'm getting anxious to finish them so I can move on to the Swan Song socks!

Next decision: what shall I cast on after Swan Song? I just love days when those are my "tough" decisions. :-)

Sock Progress, or Why I Love Waiting Rooms

I've spent more time than usual in waiting rooms this week because of some follow-up to back surgery last November. Thankfully all is well, and I spent the waiting room time making progress on my Michigan Lake Shore socks.

When I got home from an appointment yesterday afternoon, I finished up the heels on my socks and began working my way up the legs. Now I'll just knit until I run out of yarn or I get tired of working the pattern, whichever comes first. *G*

I really should take an "in progress" photo, since I've not made one in a week or so. I'll try to remember to do that this evening after work, but I must go now. Mindless drudgery and fluorescent lighting await me. Phooey.

Heel Turning

I turned the heel on one of my Michigan Lake Shore socks last night. I would've turned the other one, but was getting so sleepy by then that I was afraid I'd make a mistake that I'd have to tink out today. *LOL*

Socks and Waiting Rooms

After work yesterday, I had to have some x-rays made (routine follow-up after back surgery last November). It involved some waiting time in Outpatient Registration and a bit more waiting time in Radiology.

Did I care? Not so much. I had my Michigan Lake Shore socks with me. I'd started knitting the heel flap, so I didn't even need to look at the pattern.

This morning I have to go to the lab to have some more routine testing done before I go to work. More sock-knittin' time! :-)

A Knitterly Vacation

While away from the office this past week, I've knitted a LOT on my socks. In fact, during my vacation (not counting today's time), I've knitted 39 hours and 45 minutes! I'll total up today's time when I get ready to go to bed and post it then, because I've been knitting while watching TV this evening and will be getting another hour or so in before bedtime.

Such fun! Alas, tomorrow I must return to the land of mindless drudgery and fluorescent lighting, AKA "Work". Oh well. I have to have a paycheck to support my yarn stash, right? *G*

Not Much Knitting Today

I had TONS of errands to run today, so I didn't get a lot of knitting done. :-( Before I left home I knitted an hour on the Michigan Lake Shore Socks. When I came home this afternoon, I found that I'd received my Size 1 40" circulars from KnitPicks (yay!), so I cast on for the Swan Song socks, but only got part of the toe done.

I'm awfully tired, so I'm calling it an early night. Tomorrow will be better.

Summer Lovin' Complete!

A few minute ago I finished and photographed my "Summer Lovin'" socks! I'm very pleased with the way they turned out. The fit is really good; they're very comfortable!

For the first time, I used Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off, and it's wonderful! I found a video on You Tube of a demonstration of this bind-off by Cat Bordhi. If, like me, you're a more visual learner, click here to see the video.

Several "firsts" are accomplished by the completion of this pair of socks:

1. First time I've knitted the "Summer Lovin'" pattern.
2. First time I've used Sockotta yarn.
3. First time I've used Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off.
4. First pair of socks I've completed after starting the 10kH project.

And on that happy note, I'm headed for bed. *LOL*

How I Knit Socks

I believe that everyone has their own special "recipe" for knitting socks. Everyone who knits socks has a particular toe they like better than others, and discussions about what heel is best can get downright heated!

Methods of knitting are varied as well; double pointed needles (DPNs) or two circular needles or Magic Loop? Toe up or cuff down? Decisions, decisions. I've not used the two circular needle method, but I've knit socks cuff down on DPNs and toe up using Magic Loop.

I'm not saying by any means that my preferred method is the best, it's just the one that I like doing the best. So here we go: my preferred method is toe up using Magic Loop. I like using this method because:

1. I can use the toe as a gauge swatch. If I measure the toe and find that I'm way off gauge, it's not a big deal to rip out the little bit of knitting I've done to that point.
2. I can try the sock on as I go, giving it a completely custom fit.
3. When I'm finished, I have two socks ready to wear. No "Second Sock Syndrome"!

Now, as to the rest of my preferences:

Cast On
I love Judy's Magic Cast-On by Judy Becker. If, like me, you need a video to help you learn a new process, click here to see this wonderful cast-on demonstrated by Cat Bordhi.

Toes
I have a short, wide foot, so pointy-toed socks just don't feel right on my "square" foot. So, using Judy's Magic Cast-On, I cast on either 20 or 21 stitches (depending on the pattern I'm going to use for the pretty part of the sock) and increase to either 36 or 37 stitches (again, depending on the pattern I'm using). This number of stitches is based on using a size 1 US needle and fingering weight sock yarn. I work the increases by knitting one round plain and the next round as a K1, M1, K to the next to the last stitch, M1, K1. Here again, everyone has their own favorite method of working a M1; mine is to knit 1 in the front and back of the stitch.

Main Body of the Sock
On the sole of the sock, I just work plain stockinette. I've never worked a pattern on the sole, so I can't speak from experience, but it just doesn't sound like it would be comfortable to walk on a pattern all day, does it? I work the "pretty part" (instep) of the sock in whatever pattern I want to use. If I want just a plain sock, I like to work a K3P1 rib. It's easy to work, just stretchy enough, and can really show off a decorative yarn.

Heel
I've honestly not worked many different kinds of heels, because I was lucky enough to stumble across one early on that I really like that works well with knitting 2-at-a-time, toe-up, Magic Loop. I found it on the KnitPicks website in a free pattern offered here. It has a padded slip-stitch heel that provides a little extra cushioning on the bottom and back of the heel. I like a traditional heel flap and gusset on my socks, and this gives me everything I need. By the way, if you're not familiar with KnitPicks, go check them out. They're wonderful to do business with and offer quality products at a very reasonable price!

Bind-Off
The only problem I've had with knitting socks from the toe up is finding a bind-off that's stretchy enough. I've not tried this one yet, but plan to use it on the pair I'll be finishing up shortly: Jeny's Suprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off. It looks simple enough to do, and folks are raving about it. I'm anxious to see the results.

And so, that's it folks....that's the way I knit socks. Remember that the Yarn Harlot tells us there are no KNITTING POLICE, so always feel free to use any methods that work well for YOU.

Here We Go!

This morning I read a post on Ravelry by IdaW about a project in which she'd decided to participate. Seems that a gentleman named Malcolm Gladwell wrote in his book Outliers as follows:

The idea that excellence at performing a complex task requires a critical minimal level of practice surfaces again and again in studies of expertise. In fact, researchers have settled on what they believe is the magic number for true expertise: ten thousand hours.

The emerging picture from such studies is that ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert–in anything,” writes the neurologist Daniel Levitin. “In study after study, of composers, basketball players, fiction writers, ice skaters, concert pianists, chess players, master criminals, and what have you, this number comes up again and again…No one has yet found a case in which true world-class expertise was accomplished in less time. It seems that it takes the brain this long to assimilate all that it needs to know to achieve true mastery…This is true even of people we think of as prodigies.

Just think about that for a moment....10,000 hours. If you break that down into 8-hour days, that's 1,250 days. Nearly three and a half YEARS. Whoa.

So does that mean if I start right now ice skating 8 hours a day, I'll be an expert in 3-1/2 years? Probably not, since I'd break my hip the first day. But what if I want to develop expert skills in something I'm already doing and that I ENJOY doing? Okay....sock knitting!

As I've told many, many people who are unitiated in the joys of knitting socks, "Yes, I DO know that it's cheaper to go to Wal-Mart and buy a whole sack of socks." But where's the fun in that? Not to mention the fact that nothing in the world feels as good on your feet as a pair of hand-knit custom-fit yummy wool socks.

I'm currently working on a pair of "Summer Lovin" socks, and so I'll begin keeping my time starting today. (It's my sister's birthday, so that will make it easy for me to remember.)

And so, here we go! I'm starting on the journey of 10,000 hours of sock knitting, and looking forward to the trip!