It will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with my design portfolio that I like to knit socks. As I mentioned in a blog post earlier in the week, one of the best things about the GAL is the chance to kick back and knit someone else's patterns for a change, and if you're also a sock knitter you ought to check out Jo Torr's Ravelry store. Whether you prefer your socks textured like On Cloud 9 and Belgravia Revisited, or colourwork like Short Circuit or Socks are For Life, Not Just for Christmas, there's a good choice of sock patterns in there.
Belgravia Revisited Photo © Jo Torr
Socks are for life, not just for Christmas Photo © Jo Torr
I decided to ask Jo about her designing, and her socks in particular. Here's what she had to say:
Me: How long have you been knitting? How did you start designing?
Jo :It seems like I’ve been knitting forever! My grandmother taught me when I was about 8 years old, and I was never told that anything was too hard for me. The first ever jumper I made was when I was about 15 and I copied it from a magazine in the school library but had to translate it from French first!
Like many people I’ve always tweaked patterns, but I suppose I really started on the designing path when I struggled to find a pattern for toe-up socks with the traditional heel flap, which is what I like to knit.
Me: You clearly like to design socks - where do you get your design inspiration from?
Jo: I’m a mathematician at heart, so the majority of my designs are based around geometrical patterns. I get a lot of inspiration from looking at architecture, which has always been a love of mine. I have a great admiration for people who make beautiful designs inspired by nature.
Me: Which is your favourite of your designs, and why?
Jo: That’s a hard choice, but I’d have to say Jagged Edge, I think it’s a nicely balanced design, and a number of different patterns to keep your interest all the way to the end. The pair I kept for myself are a lovely golden yellow which always makes me smile, and I really like the (optional) picot cuff.
Me: How long have you been knitting? How did you start designing?
Jo :It seems like I’ve been knitting forever! My grandmother taught me when I was about 8 years old, and I was never told that anything was too hard for me. The first ever jumper I made was when I was about 15 and I copied it from a magazine in the school library but had to translate it from French first!
Like many people I’ve always tweaked patterns, but I suppose I really started on the designing path when I struggled to find a pattern for toe-up socks with the traditional heel flap, which is what I like to knit.
Me: You clearly like to design socks - where do you get your design inspiration from?
Jo: I’m a mathematician at heart, so the majority of my designs are based around geometrical patterns. I get a lot of inspiration from looking at architecture, which has always been a love of mine. I have a great admiration for people who make beautiful designs inspired by nature.
Me: Which is your favourite of your designs, and why?
Jo: That’s a hard choice, but I’d have to say Jagged Edge, I think it’s a nicely balanced design, and a number of different patterns to keep your interest all the way to the end. The pair I kept for myself are a lovely golden yellow which always makes me smile, and I really like the (optional) picot cuff.
Photo © Jo Torr
Me: Is there a particular yarn you love for socks? If so, what do you like about it?
Jo: If I’m knitting for myself, I love to find a wild yarn and hope for pooling, some of the Indie dyers in Germany especially do some amazing work. For designs though, I think it’s important for customers to be able to see all the detail of the design, so more often than not I’ll use Regia. It has a fantastic range of colours, is an affordable choice and very hard wearing.
Me: Any future designs you can tell any spoilers or sneak peeks about?
Jo: I have a cowl design that I’m very pleased with, that will be ready for release in early December – it’s got lots of texture but no purl stitches, I know so many people hate purling. For the new year, I already have a couple of colourwork sock designs planned, and some intricate cables.
Thanks, Jo, for answering my questions. I look forward to seeing your new designs, and have a great time in the GAL. I'm off to wind yarn now for On Cloud 9! I love a textured sock!
Jo: If I’m knitting for myself, I love to find a wild yarn and hope for pooling, some of the Indie dyers in Germany especially do some amazing work. For designs though, I think it’s important for customers to be able to see all the detail of the design, so more often than not I’ll use Regia. It has a fantastic range of colours, is an affordable choice and very hard wearing.
Me: Any future designs you can tell any spoilers or sneak peeks about?
Jo: I have a cowl design that I’m very pleased with, that will be ready for release in early December – it’s got lots of texture but no purl stitches, I know so many people hate purling. For the new year, I already have a couple of colourwork sock designs planned, and some intricate cables.
Thanks, Jo, for answering my questions. I look forward to seeing your new designs, and have a great time in the GAL. I'm off to wind yarn now for On Cloud 9! I love a textured sock!
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