Cables, Cables, Everywhere

I started the Irish Hiking Scarf, my first cable project almost a year ago. Cables seemed so intimidating at first, but I caught on pretty quickly with this project. As the weather warmed I just wasn't as motivated to finish it. I worked on it during slow call nights and even on a 4 hour drive to a wedding in the spring. But it still isn't finished. I don’t know why it’s taking me so long to complete this scarf, but I’m only about half way done. To motivate myself to finish, I joined the Fall Cable KAL. I’m really hoping to finish this scarf soon for several reasons:

1. It’s only really cold enough for a scarf here in New Orleans for maybe 2-3 months and if I don't hurry I may miss my only opportunity to actually wear this scarf

2. I promised myself I wouldn't start another cabled project until I finished this one. Next in line is a cute Margaret Nicole knockoff

3. I ultimately want to make a sexy cool, stylishly warm cabled sweater like Starsky. If a scarf is taking me this long, I better get started on a cabled sweater now and just maybe it’ll be done by Winter ’08!

Socktoberfest!

I'm a brand new sock knitter, so I decided to join the great Socktoberfest 2006 to jumpstart my new sock knitting endeavor. At first, I lacked sock love. I just didn't get the fascination with knitting socks. I mean you spend time and money knitting something that goes on your feet! Not as practical as a scarf or impressive as a sweater. But with the hot, humid summer down here in New Orleans (its still 90 degrees now in October), I really wanted to keep up my knitting, but just couldn’t bear the thought of warm wooly scarves, hats, or sweaters. So…I decided it was time to learn to knit socks and here I am. I’ve just finished the cuff on my first sock.



Here are some more specifics on my sock history, that was asked by Lolly:

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?

I'm currently working on my first pair of socks. I’m teaching myself to knit socks using books and the internet.

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
I’m knitting the Diamond Lace Socks in some pretty Koigu, I picked up at my LYS.

What would you have done differently? Don't know yet!

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
So far, the only sock yarn I've worked with is Koigu. I love the feel and the beautiful colorways; I stood in my LYS for a long time trying to choose the right colors. I'm working on building my sock yarn stash and have a list of yarns that I'm dying to get my hands on like Sundara, Schaeffer Anne, Lorna's Laces, and the infamous Socks that Rock.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I have an irrational fear of DPNs so I'm doing my first pair of socks using the Magic loop method. I thought about trying 2 circs, but the ML just seemed less complicated since you only need 1 long needle.


Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
Since it’s my first pair, I don't have a preference yet (and I’m not too sure of the difference). The socks that I'm working on now have a short row heel.

How many pairs have you made? 0