I would agree that using a natural fiber is so delicious. I'm not sure about you, but it's really encouraging to be working with a nice yarn, because it feels so nice in your hands as your work with it, and that encourages you as you go. The first sock-like slippers I knitted I did on double-pointed needles, and that method was satisfying. I used Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride for those, and it was nice, but it wasn't as finely spun, so it was kinda... hairy. Very warm though.
For my first round of actual socks, I've been using ArtYarns Supermerino, and it is incredibly soft, strong, warm, and just delightful. The colors are amazing.
I have used two circular needles for these and I have really liked the method. It helps eliminate the prospect of ladders developing in your knitting (it's near impossible to tell where the joins are in the sock), it guarantees you much more peace of mind (you just slide the sock onto the cables when not knitting and fling it in your purse for later. Also, no worries about your 4th or 5th needle flying underneath the table or couch), and the cables are much more flexible for trying on or while knitting (no needles in your way, they hang down far from your working hands).
DPNS were quite cool, but I would recommend two circulars as well. I REALLY want to try knitting two socks at the same time, via double-knitting. I read up on it, and it seems extremely easy.
As I was mentioning to Star earlier, Knitpicks seems to have very reasonably priced merino wool you could try, some of them patterned like she says above.
Oh, and Star, I read your comment on my LJ, and no, I didn't do anyting particular with the cuff. I know that for the first few inches, my knitting was oddly loose, so the ribbing is... thicker if that makes any sense. It is pretty obvious to me and anyone who knits that there is a weird difference there, but I'm hoping the recipient won't notice. :<
PS: If you want the sock pattern for the two circulars, let me know. Really easy, and really easy to substitute a more interesting pattern than the 2x2 rib it uses.
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Socks are so much fun!
Date: 2006-10-23 11:28 pm (UTC)For my first round of actual socks, I've been using ArtYarns Supermerino, and it is incredibly soft, strong, warm, and just delightful. The colors are amazing.
I have used two circular needles for these and I have really liked the method. It helps eliminate the prospect of ladders developing in your knitting (it's near impossible to tell where the joins are in the sock), it guarantees you much more peace of mind (you just slide the sock onto the cables when not knitting and fling it in your purse for later. Also, no worries about your 4th or 5th needle flying underneath the table or couch), and the cables are much more flexible for trying on or while knitting (no needles in your way, they hang down far from your working hands).
DPNS were quite cool, but I would recommend two circulars as well. I REALLY want to try knitting two socks at the same time, via double-knitting. I read up on it, and it seems extremely easy.
As I was mentioning to Star earlier, Knitpicks seems to have very reasonably priced merino wool you could try, some of them patterned like she says above.
Oh, and Star, I read your comment on my LJ, and no, I didn't do anyting particular with the cuff. I know that for the first few inches, my knitting was oddly loose, so the ribbing is... thicker if that makes any sense. It is pretty obvious to me and anyone who knits that there is a weird difference there, but I'm hoping the recipient won't notice. :<
PS: If you want the sock pattern for the two circulars, let me know. Really easy, and really easy to substitute a more interesting pattern than the 2x2 rib it uses.