Sock Series Part ~ Mina

 

Happy Sunday!

We are now into our 3rd post of the Sock Series and this Sunday I have the pleasure of posting about another of my sock heroes. Mina is an avid sock knitter and is yet another knitter who inspires me to continue with my love affair with socks.  Just like Staci and Jesse, Mina is an all around good person and I feel lucky to "know" her.

Let's talk about some socks with Mina, shall we?

 

Photo courtesy of Mina

How long have you been knitting socks?

I've been knitting socks since December 2014 ... Then I started knitting one pair a month at the start of 2015 and by May of that year I had seriously caught the sock knitting bug and was starting to do more than one pair a month, until the start of 2016 where I took part in the Sockathon Challenge between myself and Marsha where we both ended up knitting 35 pairs of socks each in the month ... I'm not sure I'm in any hurry to repeat that again but it was a fun challenge and the knitting community was a great support to both of us. Now I tend to take my time over a pair of socks and usually get through them at a rate of about a pair every 3-6 days depending on pattern and what else I am working on at the time.

 

 

Photo courtesy of Mina

 

What is your favorite method...top down or toe up and why?

I am most certainly in the cuff down camp of sock knitting ... i actually started out as a toe up sock knitter but was having real issues with fit and getting the correct foot length so I switched to cuff down and haven't looked back since. I am looking forward to trying toe up again soon ... I'd like to have both techniques to a point where I am comfortable knitting either so I have that choice. There are certainly times where Toe Up is a better choice either for the pattern or the yarn you are using.

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Mina

 

What it is about sock knitting that appeals to you?

Its small, portable, can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be and frankly there are so many gorgeous yarns that all look amazing when knit up as socks! But most of all you can never have too many socks, they make great gifts and are very practical.

 

 

Photo courtesy of Mina

 

Favorite tip or technique you would like to share?

I have always knit my socks two at a time, from my very first pair to now I have never knit my socks one a time as I know myself and I know I would seriously have issues with second sock syndrome so if you suffer from that I would strongly suggest working your socks two at a time (I have a video tutorial to show you to get set up to do that to avoid tangling your yarn) but if that is still too fiddly and not enjoyable then I'd suggest working your socks concurrently on separate needles so you still finish them together. 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Mina

 

Favorite patterns?

Well pretty much all the socks I knit now are based off of my vanilla sock recipe - Mina's Two At A Time Socks - even if I follow a different pattern I always use that basic sock formula and work the stitch pattern into that. I've recently been loving knitting simple textured socks as they are the perfect amount of thinking when plain vanilla is maybe not quite engaging enough

 

 

Photo courtesy of Mina

 

 

Questions from readers:

 

A reader Lynn as about thoughts on toe shaping. Recommendations on finishing toe techniques that don't require grafting? I love doing a rounded wedge toe ... I find it fits well and I like the shape it gives both on and off the foot. I have instructions for how to do that in all of my sock patterns including the free one I have on Ravelry. As for alternative finishing techniques that don't involve grafting, I personally have always used the Kitchener stitch myself so can't really suggest anything else, however I have heard of people turning the sock inside out and doing a 3 needle bind off on the inside of the sock. Although this would leave you with a seam on the inside which may or may not irritate the toes.

 

 

Photo courtesy of Mina

 

A reader Rebecca asks how to avoid laddering when knitting socks on DPNS and magic loop?

- This is actually a question I get asked a lot and one I'm afraid I don't have a great answer for. I don't do anything special to avoid ladders in my socks other than ensuring the first couple stitches after I've changed needles have a firm tension on them. I only knit socks magic loop, I'm not a fan of DPN's personally. Having said that I do still get ladders in my socks, but they are never too pronounced, so they usually come out in the blocking/wearing and if they don't well then I don't let myself get too bothered by it. At the end of the day its just a pair of socks that are going to be worn one your feet and likely in shoes ... no one is going to be looking at them so closely to notice if there is some slight laddering going on. I try not to get too caught up in making everything perfect ... but to enjoy the process of making.

 

 

 

As you can see Mina is amazing. In addition to being a prolific sock knitter she is also an amazing designer, you can check out her patterns here.  You can also find Mina on Instagram, her podcast Knitting Expat and on her blog.

 

Thank you Mina so much for sharing with us your sock knitting adventures!

 

Have the best day today.  I am leaving you with a video tutorial from Mina on how to avoid holes when knitting your heels. I will be back next week with a close to our sock series. Stay tuned as I think you are really going to like it and there may be a giveaway on the agenda. (hint-hint). ;)

 

 

 

 

 

XO,

Andi

Comments

[Alina]

Happy Sunday, Andi! Catching up today on all your sock series and I am loving it!! This is a completely new territory for me and I love reading all the answers and tips for sock knitting from such wonderful experts! As I understand we can ask a question? Mine would be - what fiber has to be avoided at all costs in sock knitting? Thank you!!

[Stefanie]

I used to not like Kitchener Stitching because the ends of the toe would come out funky. But now I don't mind at all because I found a good tutorial on the Alpaca Direct blog to avoid those "donkey ears." It works well and I'm more proud of my socks now.

[Caffeine Girl]

Still enjoying this series. Wish I could do magic loop socks, but the technique hurts my hands!

[Shirley Flavell]

Great interesting series thank you Andi. I love knitting socks but need to learn alternative ways of making them. I am a 4 DPN girl and can't shift from it.I do 1 sock at a time and yes have fallen into the 2nd sock syndrome but do finish them eventually. Love making socks for friends and family and don't need any excuse to start another pair off any time.Enjoy reading your blog.

[Dee]

Meeting Mina was fun! She certainly has made some gorgeous sock. I look forward to checking out her podcast. :-)

Have a great week!

[Kat]

Wow, 35 pairs in a month?!?!?! That's something to put on your resume for sure :) Even if her socks weren't as beautiful as they are, she would be an inspiration just by virtue of sheer output!

[Tracey]

I am so happy you are doing these sock knitter posts, I love meeting all these beautiful souls!

[Janey]

Really helpful! great post! I'm just about ready to tackle knitting my first pair of socks!

[karen]

I am in awe at the array of colors I see in her knitting, so beautiful!! I cannot imagine getting 35 pairs done in one month :) that's a lot of knitting!!

[Julie]

sch a great post! And I love that she is knitting her socks on the subway, too awesome, I love knitting on transit. Great tips about the sock toe, too!

[Maryse]

35 socks in one month? I don't know what to say :) Wow wow wow :) The complete opposite of me!

[Angela]

Amazing!!! Beautiful socks!

[Jeannine]

Oh thank you dear Andi and Mina! I do believe you’ve finally made a sock knitter out of me! I really appreciate this series Andi. It calls for a celebration of tea! Have a lovely rest of the week.

[Andrea @ This Knitted Life]

I am tardy to the party...but anther great sock post! Toe-five! (Get it...High-five, toe-five...?)

[Mina]

Thank you Andi for the sweet post and lovely things you had to say!

:)

[caroline]

a very interesting video. I have tried knitting 2 socks at once and enjoy this method but I cannot get rid of some holes at the side. I wonder if you have a quick fix for this

[Susan S.]

I have knit a lot of socks......55 pairs. But with each of these special sock knitters I found a new
hint/technique to help make my sock knitting journey even better! Thank you all.

[Ruby]

These socks are amazing! i love hand knitted socks! and knitting anywhere and everywhere is fab :) Ruby http://www.sewingboxspalding.co.uk/knitting-wool-lincoln/