There’s a glut of yarn in the stash — especially sock yarn. So in honor of the new year, 2012, I’ve decided to challenge myself — 12 in 2012.
Challenge No. 1: no yarn buying in 2012 – with one TWO exceptions. If the Loopy Ewe does their Camp Loopy this summer again, I may join in and that will entail yarn buying yarn for those specific projects. The second exception friend Judy reminded me of (what was I thinking!) is if Eat.Sleep.Knit has their Black Friday sale again next year, (which we both took great advantage of this year!) there will be shopping involved. It’s just too good a sale to pass up. But otherwise, once the clock strikes midnight on December 31, no more yarn purchasing.
Challenge No. 2: to finish 12 pairs of socks in 2012. It could be 12 brand new pairs or it could be finishing off pairs that are already in progress or a little of each. Just maybe I’ll get rid of that stockpile of single socks looking for mates.
Challenge No. 3: for socks that aren’t already in progress, I’m going to use new and different patterns. Expand my horizons! Not just use the same old stand by easy peasy pattern. I have several lined up that I’ve been wanting to try.
Are you a sock knitter? Want to join me in this challenge. It will be fun to see if it can be accomplished. I do alot of sock knitting on my ride to and from work so I think it’s entirely possible to get 12 pairs completed. And with a lot of willpower and unsubscribing from those yarn shops that send me weekly sales notices, I just might be able to pull off the no buying of new yarn.
I’ll be posting photos here as I complete the challenge socks. Are you daring enough to take the challenge??? If you join in, feel free to snag the “sock” image on the button and add it to your site. The more the merrier to join in and keep each other motivated.
I’ll be adding a blog post the last day of each month. If you’ve completed any socks, or want to show your progress, please leave a comment on that post with a link to your specific blog post showing your socks so others can check them out.
Denise
-
- V Junkie Pattern – started 12/2011 finished 1/5/2012
-
- Tumbling Blocks Pattern – started 9/2011; finished 1/5/12
-
- Started 9/2010 finished 1/22/12
-
- started 2-2011; finished 1-19-12
-
- #5 Started/finished Jan. 2012
-
- Nine-to-Five sock started 1/28/12 finished 2/10/12
-
- Tesserae started/compl’d in Feb
-
- Tesserae 2 started 2/2012 finished 3/9/12
-
- Simple SLYP start 3/12 finish 4/13/12
-
- Nine to five pattern /Skein yarn
-
- Tesserae 3
-
- Om Shanti – August
-
- 15th pair and Opal Socktoberfest pair 1
-
- Ice Cube Socks – 14th pair
-
- Pair 16 – 2nd pair of Socktoberfest Opal Challenge Socks
-
- Pair 17, 3rd Socktober pair
-
- pair 18 – gravel grid socks
-
- Pair 20 Tesserae
Darn it Denise! I can do #1 but I’d like to add that I might participate in Eat, Sleep, Knit’s Black Friday sale next year IF I’ve not bought anything else all year except maybe Camp Loopy yarn. #2 I think I can do. #3 I can do! I’m going to share your challenge on my blog.
What was I thinking! You will see I updated the challenge to INCLUDE Black Friday sales if we are good. LOL It’s too nice a sale to miss out on and we will be suffering withdrawals by then!
#3 is a piece of cake. I have used a different pattern for almost every pair of socks I’ve knit. #2 might be possible (my problem is my husband can’t drive, so I can’t knit in the car any more!). #1 is probably impossible. I might have enough stash for 12 pairs of socks, but I keep getting inspired or see great bargains on ebay I can’t resist.
That’s my problem – too many bargains – heck it doesn’t even have to be bargains! LOL Pretty colored yarns are as addictive as pretty colored fabrics.
I’ll have to check my yarn stash. I think I have a lot, but maybe not enough for 12 pairs of socks.
I’ve been knitting socks for a while, but have only finished about 12 pairs total. Can I just stick with my simple pattern? I’m afraid that “patterns” are going to slow me down a lot. Or is someone going to suggest some UNcomplicated patterns?
Hi Sara! Yes you can use the same simple pattern if you want. The main challenge is to finish 12 pairs and shop from the stash. That last one about trying new patterns is one I personally want to try to do (unless it gets to November and I still have five pairs to make then I may whip out the simple pattern!)
I’m in…I love knitting socks.
Great Sue!
I want in! !! But I have no sock yarn. I will be needing a dispensation. I have been wanting to do socks–haven’t tried yet. But this seems perfect.
Oh the horror of it all — no sock yarn!!!! You best go shopping. LOL
Hey, Denise and the “12/12 Crew” – (Hmm that sounds a bit like a gang, doesn’t it? Don’t want that, but the image in my head of a whole bunch of sock kniters out in the street wearing quilty bandanas just got me laughing)
Anyway, back to the 12 pairs of socks… I think I’ve only MADE 12 pairs of socks so far, but I have no intention of stopping now, so I’d like to join in the 12/12 Challenge.
Challenge #1 could pose a problem – I don’t do Camp Loopy and haven’t been on Eat Sleep Knit websiteso that won’t be a problem. However, I’m going to visit my sister in Alaska, and she promise I could go to the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer to get QUIVIUT. Not going to pass on that one, sorry. I have some wool at the mill right now for processing, so I’m hoping it dosn’t count as buying… I haven’t got the bill yet, though.
Challenge #2 would be possible, maybe.
Challenge #3 I have a couple of books of sock patterns, so a mix of new patterns and the occasional “mindless knitting” pair will be in the mix.
The challenge police will not come see if you’ve snuck a little quiviut into your stash. LOL
lolol I’m with Beth. I’m part way through my first sock…..but have a growing collection of sock knitting books and sock yarn. So count me in!
Hi Denise, I can’t tell you how much I need this challenge!!! Count me in – I’ve never done a challenge before, but this one has my name all over it!!
Great Helen – we can all cheer each other on.
Okay, I’m game for this challenge, I know that I have the yarn to do at least 12 pairs of socks. My true challenge is that I have at least 4 pair of toe up socks started but in the multiple moves, I cannot find the original pattern! Unfortunately, this pattern did not come from a book but from a computer program that Caroline @ Knit N’ Knibble (awe inspiring shop in Tampa, Fl) has & teaches from…not much help considering I now live in Northern California! Guess I’ll have to go dig & search for some alternatives.
Do felted slippers count for the sock challenge part of this 2012 event? Or just the general stash busting?
I’m thinking that I probably have enough stashed yarn for 12 pairs of socks, too … yikes! I think few things feel as luxurious as wearing hand-knit socks from lovely yarns, but may I give myself license to knit up a small shawl or scarf from sock yarn for one or two (or a few) of the 12?
Hand knit socks are the best!
I am up for the 12 in ’12 challenge!
Great!
I’m up for the challenge – I’ve got enough sock yarn to last me for years to come. In fact, I have enough Bugga yarn to make more than 12 pair. I’ll be getting my needles ready for January 1 to start. Thanks for the incentive!!!
Bugga – love that yarn and am anxious to see what happens after the makers of that yarn close their company at the end of the year. Right now it’s a collaboration of artists who are splitting into two new companies.
Now —how about a goal of at least 1 pair? I’ve spent 2 years just trying to knit even i pair! Darned kitties.
Now Marilyn – didn’t your mother always tell you to put your toys away so no one would mess with them. LOL
My SIL just sent me this link and I love the idea. Count me in for at least part of the challenge, I agree to not purchase any more sock yarn until I have knit up what I have – which may be less than 12 pairs and I agree to try a different pattern with each pair. Carol
Carol – glad she sent you the link and to have you joining in.
Carol – glad you’re doing it!! xoxo B
Ok. I’m game for challenge number 2. I don’t have enough sock yarn in my stash to be able to pull off the first challenge and complete the second one. I’m still new at the whole sock knitting thing, I’ve only completed 1 pair of socks so far, working on my second pair now & literally just started the second sock of the pair today, so the new patterns shouldn’t be too difficult to incorporate into it!
Glad to have you join in.
Hi Denise,
Sounds like a great idea, count me in. I am a relatively new knitter, but made 2 pair of socks, and then went and bought about 6 more skiens to make socks but haven’t started them yet! I guess I have to get some more before the end of the year!!! My next pair came from some yarn I saw on your blocg and asked you the brand. Once you replied I bought the yarn, but must confess I haven’t started them yet. I also have only some some simple socks but am anxious to try some patterned ones. I like your list of patterns and may start with one of those.
MaryPat
Made two pair and bought for six more — LOL — I think that’s how my stash got started.
I got Carol to join in, now we just need to get my other sister-in-law, Carol’s sister, to join!!
If I were a knitter, I would do it, too!
PS – I meant to say that, while you’re all knitting socks, I would make different “appliqué socks” in that quilt pattern if I had it! Is there a pattern somewhere for download or purchase?
Brandy if you’re talking about the socks on the button, that’s my drawing. It’s on my list of “maybe” patterns to expand on and write up.
Hi, Denise.
I was just reading Helen in Switzerland’s blog and found out about your 12/12 sock challenge. I’m somewhat of a beginner sock knitter and would love to join your challenge group. Not sure if I’ll be able to keep up with everyone, but I’m going to give it my best shot. I don’t have much of a yarn stash though, so you’ll have to forgive me for “buying” yarn in 2012.
Glad to have you join the group Pam.
I have never done a challenge before this sounds like fun and I do have a big stash of sock yarn. I just hope I can resist buying more, that will be the real challenge, hmmm the year isn’t over yet still have time to buy more before the countdown ends LOL. Count me in!
Exactly Hannah! There’s still plenty of time to get more yarn in that stash before the end of the year.
I’m in for the challenge. I’ve recently become a sock knitting convert and have it on good authority that Santa has got me the sock knitting pattern book that I requested. And I have LOADS of yarn. So – I’m ready to roll!
Santa ususally brings me a hank of sock yarn or two also (okay – well a friend of mine does). Hmmm.. I should have told Santa I’ve been very very good but my feet are very very cold so bring lots of yarn. LOL
I do put my toys away behind closed doors… Just that darned kitty sneaks in unseen…..LOL!~
Sneaky little devils!
I popped over from Judy’s blog. . . and I love the idea of your challenge but I’m not a very good knitter so I will be watching from the sidelines.
However, I do crochet (in addition to quilting) so perhaps, in spirit, I could commit to whittling down the yarn stash that I have.
Looking forward to seeing what you all end up with.
Yes I’m looking forward to seeing some finished socks. I crochet too, but that seems to bother my wrists more than knitting so I don’t make anything crocheted very often anymore.
I’m in! I have more than enough yarn to do this and I’m knitting at least one pair of socks per month now, so this will help keep me in focus in 2012. See my blog: http://onlysocks.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
If you’re already knitting one pair a month – you’ll be all ready to continue on that pace.
Ok, so I have 3 other knitting projects on needles, but because of this challenge, I got inspired. Yesterday I started the 2nd sock of a pair that I started last May. When this if finished, it counts as 1 in 2012 – right? Especially since I know it won’t be finished until January. Also, I surveyed my stash and learned that I only have yarn for 5 more pair. My modified goal is to just use that up. If I have time, I will buy more later in the year. My main hobby is quilting – talk about stash! I’ve had a personal challenge for the past 3 years to use up my stash – but it has only grown. Just don’t understand how this happens. Carol
My main hobby is quilting too so I know how that stash grows so easily. Yes, any socks finished in 2012 count toward your goal no matter when they were started.
Hi Denise,
I love knitting socks! So please count me in. Being an Aussie, I have no idea about Black Fridays or the sales oyu talk about, but my stash is large enough to cope with this challenge. I even have one pair in mind with yarn specifically bought (red thigh high fishnet ones – might take more than a month though)
Glad to have you join us — now those red fishnets I want to see!
I bought some sock yarn a few months ago. I,m going to try challange #2. Maybe this will get me going. They can’t be that hard to do.
You just have to get started and keep going Mildred! Glad to have you join in.
I’m in! I have 2 single socks that need their mates so I have Jan and Feb covered. I have a bin full of sock yarn and a folder full of designs….
Glad to have you join in Judy!
I am just finishing up a sock knitting class for Cat Bordhi’s Personal Footprints Socks…am closing the heel on my very first sock. I don’t feel confident enough to do 12 pairs with my crazy schedule but I might try! Very cool!
This sounds like a great challenge and it will bring peace into my household. I know that I have enough sock yarn for 12 pairs and I have a lot of yarn for baby blankets and scarves. I actually give the scarves and socks to the homeless so this is a way to help me help over 12 people this year!
What great homemade gifts to people in need! Glad you’re joining the challenge.
I’ve thought about it for quite a while now. And I’m up for the challenge. I have only completed a couple pair of socks so far but I’m beginning to understand the process. I came over from Judy’s place, http://www.patchworktimes.com. I’d better check my sock yarn to see if I need more before this year ends.
Still 3 shopping days left! LOL Glad to have you join in.
I would like to join your challenge, Denise. I’ve knitted for a couple years, and socks is really my favorite thing to knit. I don’t have enough of a stash to worry about Challenge#1, but I would love to knit a pair a month, and I do want to try some different patterns, maybe later in the year when my sock obligations are fulfilled!
Glad to have you join in Sue.
Sign me up for one pair of socks…doesn’t sound too overwhelming and I already have the yarn…just have to buy some bamboo double pointed needles. This should be fun! Thanks for the inspiration!
I
I really would like to see a picture of the shoes you wear when you wear those lovely hand knit socks.
don’t they go with everything???
I have been trying to contain myself but I am going to go a head with the 12 in 2012 challenge. I am new to knitting socks so I will not be able to meet the no purchase in 2012. I have always said I would NEVER knit socks but after following your blog, I have fell in love with all the gorgeous socks you have knitted. I am a very slow knitter so this will be a real challenge. I am going to be ordering some yarn so while I am waiting for the yarn and needles. I also need to finish a graduation quilt so I will be a late starter but will have to make up time later.
I am in for the 12 pairs but my yarn stash is sadly depleted (ok so I donated tons to a good cause) but have enough for a good start.
Glad to have you join!
Maybe I should commit to 12 socks rather than 12 pairs, then I might have a chance…
But then you would always have one foot that was cold!
I’m a dyed in the wool procrastinator & have been hedging about joining the challenge. Winter has arrived in Manitoba this morning it’s – 14C! Good time to stay in & knit socks – count me in if I’m not too late to join.
Never to late to join – Winter finally arrived here today (1/12) with a vengenance.
hi Denise I was going to email you about your Crane paradise pattern and saw this blog. I am a guilt/knitter also . Just started knitting socks and am in love. I have never been in a challange so this will be my first one. Think I will get a few simple socks knit before I tackle new patterns.
About the Crane Paradise pattern….I would like to make it in a king size. Do you have directions and additional yardage for that size?? Thanks Denise. Love love love the pattern and cant wait to sew Cranes all over my bed.
Lynn – no, Crane Paradise was only written up in the one size on the Hoffman website. Glad to have you join in the sock challenge.
I resolved to use up my stash before buying anymore, however I was offered to pattern test and get paid in yarn. I hope this isn’t breaking my resolution
Im sure that doesnt count.its not like you went shopping!!
Love to join you if it’s not too late.
I am going to commit to 12 pairs but I know that I’ll never be able to say no to buying wool!!
Never too late to join!
Hi Denise, I have managed to get another pair (2 socks right??) done for February. 1 was a thigh high stocking – nothing like a real challenge.. i have posted pics on my blog – joybelle62.blogspot.com.au
reagrds, Joy
I just ‘discovered’ this site and think that this challenge would be great. However, I have never knit socks before <> but I am a quick learner.
What type of yarn do I need? Can I use kw or would that make horrible socks?
Can anyone share an easy pattern (to start with)?
Need more info here.
when I started knitting I started with this pattern — http://www.simplysockyarn.com/servlet/Detail?no=311.
But you can find lots of similar patterns for free on Ravelry.com. KW? knitting worsted?? If that’s what you mean – it would make very thick socks that might not fit in your shoes but you could always wear them as slippers I guess. The majority of sock patterns are fingering weight yarn. The ones I make are all a wool blend. Wool wears better. I’ve also made some that are wool and cotton blend.
I am trying to finish my first pair of socks which I started a couple of years ago. I think I need to knit another couple of inches before I start the toes.
I hear this nagging in the back of my head about not having made any head-way on my 1940′s spiral sock. Other things just keep getting in the way. You’d think that with my MSNP syndrome kicking in rather frequently it would actually get me started on another sock – but no. Quilt blocks are what’s happening atm, if it’s not doing stuff for my daughters dance team (she’s the coach). Oh – MSNP is Must Start New Project Syndrome. A real pain to have sometimes as not much get finished……
I am wanting to learn to make so is. My hubby has Neuropathy in his lower legs and socks that are comfortable just cannot be found. So maybe this is the answer! I don’t like the open pointed needles can I use circular?
Hugs,
Cajun
There are many different ways to make socks and you can make them using two circular needles and knitting both at the same time.
Well that is supposed to say socks!
Cajun