Episode 22: Sock Mojo

Episode 22: Sock Mojo (45:38)

This week we talk about sock knitting and the elusive sock mojo, then we meet with two bloggers/Etsy sellers about their booming yarn inspired businesses.

Where's my mojo?
We discuss what is preventing Nicole from reaching the road to sock righteousness.

Lime & Violet
Ready, Set, Knit
Embossed Leaves socks
Shelridge Farms
Target vest (a.k.a. the Roundabout vest, scroll down to the near the bottom of the page)
Thuja
Cookie A

• Flicker
• Pomatomus
• Thelonious
• Gothic Spires

Child's First Sock
Gentlemen's Fancy Sock
J's Lorna's Laces
Regia Stretch

Meet the makers!
We talk to Aija of SockPron and Krista of PigeonRoof Studios about socks, dyeing, and stashes.

Pigeonroof Studios at Etsy
Pigeonroof blog
Zer0 markers on Etsy
SockPron
Aija's Lizard Ridge Blanket
Elfine socks
Article Pract
Susanne DPNS
Knitpicks DPNs
BMP
Aija was inspired by this Livejournal entry
BMPs in the German gaming magazine, Gee
BoingBoing
Top 10 Geekiest Craft Projects
Musee Mechanique
Wool 2 Dye 4
Crown Mountain Farms
Aija's literature-inspired colors
Black Dog Knits
Black Dog Designs
Rowan Studio
Twisted Flower
Teosinte socks
Dyeabolical Yarns
Hanami Stole
Raspy
Helleborus scarf
Etsy Fridays

Thanks Aija & Krista! We had a great time talking with you! Thanks to you for listening!

Comments

[Nancy Jo]

Greatly enjoy your podcast -- thank you. A few thoughts on your sock knitting dilemma: simple socks can be your travel knitting -- you can knit them anywhere under almost any conditions, they're small and are easy to carry along, and they change frequently enough to keep one interested. Choosing relatively simple patterns will keep you from stalling on the knitting when you're out and about.

As to other uses for sock yarn, have you knitted any triangular scarves (such as the Landscape Shawl, scarf-sized, or another Fiber Trends pattern for a triangular scarf, sorry I don't remember the name)? Those are a fun way to use sock yarn.

And, finally, for the hole above your heel, how about adding reinforcing yarn before you start the heel flap, now that you know you have such a wear pattern? And this hole calamity can be an impetus for learning how to darn socks, yes?

Thanks again for the fun knitting talk.

Nancy Jo

[Outi]

Hi! Great show you guys are having, keep up the good job you're doing! I love it how each episode seems to be so well planned ahead and always has some interesting information.

In this episode you were wondering how to make your handknitted socks last. I don't know how much you use yarns that are 100% wool, but if you are, you should be aware the wool is not actually a very strong fibre on it's own. To make durable socks you'll want to use yarn that's part artificial fibre, like 10%-25% polyamid or so. It makes the yarn stronger. Superwash treatment on the other hand prevents the wool from felting, which could be a really nasty thing to happen to your handknitted socks, but it doesn't make the fibre any stronger. I have accidentally felted a pair of mittens just by wearing them out in the rain, riding my bike, so you don't always need anything else to make wool felt than some moisture and friction.

I'm not familiar with your yarn brands, but I guess these are some basic rules. And no, I don't think I know it all :) it's just that I live in Finland.. we wear woolly socks for practical reasons here during the colder seasons, so you have to know these things!If you're a knitter of course, I don't know if it matters elsehow.:)
Ok, thanks again and take care! I'll be listening.

Outi

[Jasmin]

Sock mojo, like any mojo, can wax and wane. I've knit more socks that I can count and have enough sock yarn to... well, I have a lot.

Most of the time, my socks are my carry-along knitting, and they get done by virtue of being conveniently-sized. Traveling socks are stockinette- which isn't exciting, but with all the pretty handpaints & pre-patterned yarns, it's much more tolerable.

Also- when you fix the socks with the weird hole, I would mend them with the yarn along with wooly nylon. There may have been a weak spot in the yarn, so your Dansko's may not be to blame.

If you find, over time, that your socks all wear out in the same place, I would recommend using the wooly nylon as a carry-along in that part.

[Nora]

Hi - thanks for the mention.

Re Lorna's Laces: I've designed the following pattern that requires only ONE hank of LLs http://designsbyblackdog.blogspot.com/2006/08/lornas-laces-one-hank-socks-thats.html
Hope you like it. :)

[gray la gran]

hey nicole,
regarding the sock with the hole, is the hole where the top of the back of your dansko would rub it? if so, perhaps it did get worn there. if not, then i think the sock found mishap somewhere else.
though those commercial yarns aren't as "soft" i do believe they wear exceptionally well ... with the nylon that is spun with the wool.
i've heard of some knitters adding a strand of wooly nylon, sewing thread, etc, to the heels and toes as they knit the lovely merino, but ... i think something as strong and tough as nylon and polyester would actually "cut" the soft wool eventually.
i second knitting a little patch to cover up that hole ... like a little koigu heart !
happy knitting ...