Socktoberfest Questionnaire Answered

Since I added my name to the list of thousands of people participating in Socktoberfest, I guess I should answer the questions put forth by our hostess.

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I made my first pair of socks in 2004. I started them in July, but over-estimated the number of stitches to cast on and had to rip and redo. I was roughly following this pattern, except that it is written for worsted and I was using fingering. I really got started mid-September, and turned my first heel while visiting my sister and brother-in-law in Brooklyn. It happened at 2 a.m. and I had no one to show for hours. I taught myself, and it was trial and error, but it did help things stick.

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
My first pair was brown/green/etc Lana Grossa, k1p1 ribbed cuff, stockinette. I wear them a lot and they've held up just fine through numerous washings.

What would you have done differently?
Not much, really. Maybe starting to knit socks earlier?

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
Mountain Colors Bearfoot was gorgeous and soft to work with, but I am interested in seeing what else is out there.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
I knit my first pair on two circulars, but I actually find that I prefer DPNs. I've yet to try Magic Loop, though, so who knows.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I've only used the heel flap so far, so I guess I can't really say.

How many pairs have you made?
I knit slowly, and tend to be pretty much a one-project girl, so not many. I've made myself three pairs, two for my mother, one for my dad, and one for each of my two sisters (one of those were shorties), so... eight pairs in just over two years. I started a pair of Jaywalkers, but did something stupid when I was at MDS&W and sort of lost momentum on them. I am currently working on a pair of kneesocks, and if I get my act together this weekend, maybe you'll get a glimpse of the progress.

So, there you have it. The answers were more brief than I had anticipated, probably because I am completely exhausted this evening.