My First

These are them. 'Member?

They look innocent enough, but as my first, they are the ones that ushered me into the wicked world of sock knitting (addiction). Why this trip down memory lane? To commemorate the start of Socktoberfest, of course! Lolly is encouraging us to share our sock histories, and as short as mine is, here you go:

When did you start making socks?
Just about one year ago! Guided with care all the while by the lovely Julia.

What was your first pair?
The aforementioned and depicted Artic Chars. A basic top-down sock pattern with 2x2 ribbing, knit with Koigu KPPPM on size 2 bamboo DPNs.

How have they "held up" over time?
Still kickin' (ha)! They are in good shape, as they should be- after all, they're less than a year old!

What would you have done differently?
Nothing, really. I'd rather have finished the pair sooner (if you recall, I suffered from a severe case of the dreaded SSS, so there was great lag time between sock one and sock two). But, as for the knitting process itself, I wouldn't change a thing. It took me a while to figure out what the heck I was doing, and how this thing would eventually turn into a sock, but the process was great. I learned so much, and had great triumphs like this one along the way.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
So far I've only used Koigu KPPPM (first and third pair) and Cherry Tree Hill supersock (second pair), and I enjoyed them both equally (read: very much). I have and plan to use Lana Grossa Meilenweit and Sundara sock yarn in the near future, and am looking forward to it!

Do you like to crochet your socks? Or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the magic loop method?
I enjoy knitting on DPNs. I tried the 2 circulars method, and while I didn't hate it, I much prefer the DPNs. There's something about the way the work in my hands that I just enjoy. I knit my last pair of socks kindasorta simultaneously on two sets of DPNs, and found it to be a great way to go. I'll probably try magic looping at some point, just for the heck of it.

Which kind of heel do you prefer (flap? or short-row)?
I have only knit socks with heel flaps thus far and like them just fine. Though I think I may incorporate a short row heel next, just to try it out. Being that I'm still such a new sock knitter, I want to try different techniques, for the experience, if nothing else. Won't know if I'll like something (or not) until I try it, right?

How many pairs have you made?
Depending on how you look at it, it's either "just 3" or, as I prefer to look at it: 3 whole pairs!!

I really can't believe I've only been knitting socks for a year. But then again, I've only been knitting in general for around two and a half years. When I take a moment to look back at all I've learned in the last couple of years, it kind of blows my mind. In a good way. :)