I set myself the rather tall order of knitting everyone in the family socks for Christmas. As a relative novice and slowish knitter I've given myself a goal of a sock a week. Given my run rate so far is around 3 months for a pair coupled with the fact that I am only able to knit in the evenings and on weekends, I figured it was a little ambitious but perfectly doable if I devoted all my spare time to knitting and not much else.
I know, I make it sound like so much fun.
I’m lagging a bit behind though and am paying the price for trying to make up for lost time with sore index fingers from prolonged jabbing at myself with dpns. While avoiding further injuries, I took a break and googled “how fast can you knit a sock?” for fun and found this very interesting post from Yarn Harlot about knitting a sock a day. I wondered about how much she actually slept and then, before I knew it, I found myself watching people speed knitting on youtube.
I’m amazed. In awe. WOW.
*Sigh*. Maybe I’ll start a new tradition of new year’s socks.
Oh my goodness; I feel dizzy watching her! Speed knitting? Knitting on speed, more like :-)!! Wonder what the odds are on developing RSI sometime in the immediate future?!!! Good luck with your sock challenge. I crazily set myself the challenge of knitting 24 of Julie's (little cotton rabbits) Mini Christmas stockings to make an advent calendar for the kids. Needless to say I've still got another 8 to go. Does it really have to be the 3rd tomorrow?!!
Posted by: Pen at Oliver Boliver | December 02, 2010 at 03:54 PM
I dream of knitting faster, I wish I could finish a garment in a matter of days or hours. But then I try to keep in mind that it's about the process until the next time :0)
Posted by: Imene | December 02, 2010 at 05:03 PM
I have a friend who knits all the time. And she's quick, too! I bet she'd be a contender here. :-)
Posted by: Jennie C. | December 02, 2010 at 05:58 PM
wow ! that is super fast !!!
Posted by: Rachel | December 02, 2010 at 09:27 PM
I wish I could knit just half as fast as that. I swear I'm even slower than last year - and I didn't think that was possible...
Posted by: UK lass in US | December 03, 2010 at 02:28 AM
oh my, I am soooo behind with my gifting knitting. I clearly need to practise xxxx
Posted by: driftwood | December 03, 2010 at 03:43 AM
New Year's socks sound like the way to go. If it makes you feel any better I'm trying to finish a pair of mittens for my Dad - I finished the first one last year and wrapped it up as a christmas gift with a note saying the other one would follow shortly. I'm ashamed to say it's been sat on the needles eversince so I need to get my act together so he can have the matching one for this christmas!
Posted by: Julie (little cotton rabbits) | December 03, 2010 at 07:13 AM
I don't think I could manage a sock a week. New Year socks sound like a much better idea.
Posted by: Gina | December 03, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Good luck with the socks! xx
Posted by: lucylocket | December 05, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Hello Lina,
your plan sounds very ambitious. My knitting plans for this christmas are 1 pair of legwarmers and 1 hat and even with that I start to get nervous.
Maybe you should consider knitting in thick yarn. I have just finished a pair of socks knitted on 8mm needles (that's only 24 stitches per round) and I finished one sock in about two hours. They are perhaps too thick for normal shoes but they are perfect for my boots and for walking around in the house. And since they are 100% wool they are very soft and warm. I have just started a new pair since my sister loved them so much. You can find my socks here: http://pipapoblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/baby-its-cold-outside-no-2.html
Hope everything works out well for you.
Have a nice advent time.
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia | December 06, 2010 at 03:26 AM
Thanks Claudia - your socks are beautiful! I'm doing OK actually, I think I'm going to maket it...I'm almost half way there!
Posted by: Lina | December 06, 2010 at 08:09 AM
Wow- that looks amazing!
Posted by: Sew Create It - Jane | December 06, 2010 at 03:34 PM
Goodness that's fast! Could I be a distant cousin and get socks for Christmas too??!!xx
Posted by: French Knots | December 07, 2010 at 03:58 PM