I have been knitting and crocheting for 49 years. Learning to knit was not an option back in those days. I’m so glad it wasn’t. Even though I may not have understood the value of knitting at such a young age my grandmother and great grandmother kept after me. They gave me a wonderful knitting legacy. Through the years I’ve knitted many things from coats, to socks; you name it, I did it. I started knitting socks when we only had double pointed needles. I’ve done all kinds of socks including argyle but to be honest, I hated sock knitting. Getting all tangled up in those needles was not fun so I put aside my sock knitting and focused on women’s garments. Through the years I developed and understanding of pattern reading, garment construction and design. Having tried all sorts of knitting techniques, I was ready to move on towards designing. By this time I discovered sock knitting again. Now we were able to knit socks using circular needles. Well now I HAD to try out this new technique and once I did that was it, I was hooked on socks. I spent a few years learning all I could about socks which lead me to designing sock patterns and now my very own pattern line called Sockalutions.
My story hasn’t ended yet. Once I learned how to knit and design socks, the next logical step was to learn how to spin my own sock yarn. I’m owned by 4 spinning wheels and over 20 spindles and that’s not counting the fiber and fleeces.
As I look back on those days with fond memories, I can now say I really do understand why my dear grand mother and great grandmother stuck it out with me despite my groanings. I’m so grateful that they did.