Socktoberfest

Here are the questions posed on the Socktoberfest blog:

When did you start making socks?
Made my first pair as a teenager about 20 years ago. I don't know if the pair I remember were the first ones but I do remember a red/white thick wool pair. Needed thick wool socks in Norway to wear inside winterboots in the cold winter. Tried my first sock for 20 years a few months ago. It was the basic Opal pattern in a rather boring colour and I only knitted one and that took me weeks. Decided I didn't like knitting socks until I tried a lacy pair a couple of months ago and now I love it. Have had a go at designing my own too. and have plans for several more.

Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative?
My mum taught me.
What was your first pair?
A red/white pair knitted in thick wool.
How have they "held up" over time?
Haven't seen them since I left Norway 16 years ago. Will have to check next time I go home if my mum still has them.
What would you have done differently?
Not a lot.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
At the moment I like Opal. I've handdyed some Opal myself too which is fun and creates unique socks. Also like Lornas Laces but they don't seem to wash too wel land stretch quite a bit. I'm wanting to try Regia stretch and I'm planning a pair of socks in Cascade Fixation, a cotton stretch yarn.
Do you like to crochet your socks?
Can't crochet.
or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
Bamboo dpns. Dpns are not as difficult as people think once you get over the first few rounds. And using Bamboo needles are so much better than metal ones as it's not slippery so needles don't fall out on thefirst couple ofrounds and it's so muchsofter and more comfortable to knit with.
Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
Only tried one method. Not sure which one it is. It's the same as the basic Opal pattern. Is that a flap heel??? Need to try some more techniques.
How many pairs have you made?
In the last two months, about 4 completed pairs and several single socks. Some are experiments with making up my own patterns and need more work/adjustments or frogging and reknitting.