Sock Knitters Anonymous meeting HERE (with a chance to win sock yarn!)

My name is Anna-Beth, and I knit socks.

I can't say I wasn't warned.

I was told by every knitter I know that knitting socks is like trying out an addictive drug - you think you're just going to do it the one time, and check out what it's like, but suddenly it has overtaken your mind, and your hands itch to do more, and you can't sleep for thinking about it.  But like all of these people who seem to think they can dabble in illicit drugs, I didn't listen, and knitted a sock. 

It only takes one.

By the time I had turned the heel on my first basic sock, I had bought 6 skeins of sock yarn, a lovely and inspiring new sock knitting book, and was wistfully daydreaming of which pattern I was going to try next.   I haven't touched the scarf I started, my quilting is neglected, my boyfriend is annoyed that I'm not doing the dishes, and I'm planning my lunches to be quick eats that will free me up for another couple of rounds on my sock. 

I cannot quite put my finger on what it is about the sock-knitting that arouses this passion - the neat tiny stitches, the perfect way the heel curves around my feet,  watching my lovely variegated yarns make stripes and dots along my heel.  There's something positively contrary about the desire to spend hours and hours rapturously knitting something that I can purchase for a fraction of the cost, but it is absoloutely amazingly gratifying to see the perfection of fit and color, and the satisfaction of having the only sock exactly like it in the world.  (Till I make the match, of course.)

Do you have this addiction? Can you explain it?  I have two gorgeous skeins of Pagewood hand-dyed sock yarn sitting on my desk as I type.  It's lovely to knit with, hand-dyed in the USA, and could be yours!  Please post in the comments section your reasons for the obsessively satisfying nature of sock knitting, and I will select at random two lucky winners to receive these skeins - I will hold the drawing April 20th.  Please include your e-mail address, so I have a way to contact you.

If you don't win, or  just can't wait, Pagewood is carried at all 6 Pacific Fabrics stores, along with a gorgeous selection of other sock yarns.  We also have many many books to choose from - I highly recommend Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave Press.  The designs are really a great variety - even my boyfriend, who only likes simple, non-patterned EVERYTHING, found a few things he requested.  (And maybe if I knit him a pair, he won't mind the dirty dishes so much!) Plus the book has a great explanation of all terms, incuding an illustration of the Kitchener's stitch that I successfully followed! 

Happy compulsive knitting!

Comments

[Patricia thronson]

My love affair with knitting socks began when I first held a skeen of yarn that was pre-dyed so that no matter your skill level you could k it and the most beautiful of pattern would magically appear. Pre pattern yarn - a true gift from the yarn fairies. Thanks Annette. Let's turn some heels.

[turtle]

i am a self admitted sock knitter! lol, it's a great book!

[amy a.]

I so very much want to BE a sock knitter. This prize would be just the inspiration I need to finally try out those double pointed needles!

[Suzanne Tiedeman]

I love socks because of their portability. I can have a project hanging out waiting for me to grab and go. There is so much variety to them that I won't get bored.

[Trisha]

I am addicted to knitting socks and Pagewood is my favorite sock yarn! My sister asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I said, "sock yarn!" I didn't specify the brand or colorway. Christmas morning I opened my gift from her and it was two hanks of Pagewood. One was the color I wanted the most (Fabulous Fall). I couldn't believe it. It was like she read my mind!

[Diane Wagner]

Knitting socks is relaxing. Much easier to carry the yarn and needles for my sock project than for a sweater or larger project. Some of my friends have mastered the two socks at one time method. It's much faster, but I enjoy watching the growth of each sock and the personality of each sock as it matures on my needles.

[Daleah]

I have made one pair of sox, from wool yarn I spun myself. I want to knit more and collect patterns...but I guess I love drop spindle spinning more. Maybe if I had some commercial yarn I would knit some more.

[Judi Looney]

All my friends knit socks. Have never tried it as mother said it is really hard compared to a sweater. Would love to give it a try as hand knit socks are simply beautiful.

[Jean]

It seems everyone is knitting socks. And they are gorgeous. Perhaps I should jump on the band wagon and give it a try!

[Fonnll]

There is nothing as simple as putting a sock project in your purse! Because of that I have a pair of hand knit socks for every day of the week for several weeks. Color, Color, Color.....now what to wear?

[lena]

I think you will probably need to make room for me too!I haven't started knitting yet but if I get into it the way I do everything else I'm gonna need a program.I find most everything I do addicting.As I said ,I don't knit but I already have about eight skeins of "SOCK YARN"....why,I don't knit? please help! Do I need to get a sponser? thanks

[Nancy Slover]

I so know what you mean about becoming addicted to knitting socks. I learned how to knit at a group called Knit for Life, A Cancer Support group at St. Francis Hospital while I was doing radiation for breast cancer. At four months of knitting I did my first pair of socks...and became addicted to them. I love the idea that I can wear something I made! I haven't made any for anyone else because every pair I make is different and I just can't make myself give them up!
Knitting very rapidly became the "good" thing that came of my having cancer. It relaxed me and intrigued me at the same time. I had a great many problems the year after I finished treatment, but the knitting was a safe place for me to go...everything in my life changed when I got cancer. The knitting was the one thing that stayed the same and helped me feel that I could do something worth while.
I just finished a pair of dorm socks...my favorite pattern. I can make a pair in three days! I got some handspun, hand dyed sock yarn at the Puyallup Spring Fair yesterday and have already decided which pattern to use....and the dream goes on...

[Bonnie Weyhing]

Addicted? Guess so! I definitely love the way socks go faster than any other project. And the color design from the varigated yarn always defies prediction. I love surprises that aren't a foregone conclusion!

[Judy Janes]

I dare you to make me a member of Sock Knitters Anonymous. I am going to get the book but I don't know if I'll go any further. We'll see

[Eileen Peacher]

What I love about knitted socks is all the yummy yarn that feels so good to knit let alone wear! So rewarding. So portable. And it takes so little yarn that I can have a lovely but not large stash!

[Dina]

I have yet to knit socks, but have purchased everything I need, including several skeins of sock yarn, which is already addicting in itself! I have a couple of books too!! Now I just need the nerve to start!!! I really am afraid that I will become obsessed with sock knitting, which is one reason I have been putting it off. But....it's one of my goals for 2009, so I am hoping to start soon, if I become addicted, I know what I will be making for holiday gift giving!!

[Jaye]

I just think that there is so much you can learn from making socks, I've only just begun and now I'm about to have a big lesson in rip it back. No matter you have something very practical, artistic and individual.

[Polly Ann]

I think anything that has a relatively immediate outcome can be obsessive. Knitting socks is no different than any other little project that has fulfilled a need to be useful or to complete something. I am just obsessed with knitting right now - but even more obsessed with finding yarn at thrift stores - what is it made of, how much of it can I find, what little project will it become. When I get tired I'll go back to my applique quilt or hand embroidery, or sewing children's clothes, or needlepoint, or I'll pick up tatting again, or maybe I'll obsess about somthing else!

[Carol Thompson]

I've been knitting for a long time, but was scared to try socks. I finally decided to learn and now I'm hooked. It's fun and portable, not as difficult as I thought.

[Karen Lum]

It's my sister who is the avid sock knitter. She loves it, and I have been the very happy recipient of her handiwork!

[Ellene L Zimmerman, 1519 185th Street Ct E, Spanaway, WA 98387]

I am addicted to the sock yarn colors! Socks I do knit, but I also make the cutest baby sweaters, booties and hats with the vibrant sock yarns. I'm also addicted to working with teeny, tiny needles and just had to master the two circular method and then the magic loop method for making socks! My next venture is trying the fantastic patterned socks, haven't worked any of those; but today isn't done yet!! Should I also add I collect sock pattern books; yes, my addiction is complete!

[Laura Ranes]

I have wanted to try knitting socks. My mom knows how but will not show me. Can anyone out there help me?

[Keisha Reis]

So I am not a handknit sock knitter, I think they take forever. Though one should not make a pair for their brother within the first 3 pairs when he wears a 13! But I love wearing my hand knit socks, I have 2 pair and love them. One of my best friends got my first socks, as they are about a 1/4 of an inch too small, and my husband has a pair. That being said I will continue knitting socks, hoping for love to come as no one else will knit me socks. Besides who else is going to get through all the sock yarn in my stash if I don't. :)

[Libbie Bristow]

Hi, I too am addicted to socks and believe that a road trip from Washington to Michigan is a perfect time to work on all my sock yarn. I have college colors, purple colors, nice beige and I'm always on the look out for more. Yes, once the first heel was turned I was hooked and keep going back for more.

[Becky]

I began knitting again when my daughter was expecting her son 3 years ago: Hats were the order of the day & 1 blanket! Then yarn & needles were put away while I moved, but knitting was still calling me...This Christmas during the snowstorms, I knit my grandson a sweater that was completely finished when done (I hate the seams)& when I was almost done, I saw beautiful sock yarn & a convienently placed sock book! I knitted the 1st sock for my daughter & have the 2nd one partially finished. Reading these comments have spurred me on to finish the 2nd sock, because I already have yarn for a 2nd pair!