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 I always have more craft projects going than time to work on
them. But that has never stopped me from starting something new, whether that is crocheting an afghan or another hat, sewing a skirt, or learning how to knit socks. Okay, I have yet to tackle knitting socks, so when the new issue of Sockupied became available I immediately downloaded the new eMag.
Then I sat down with the editor, Anne Merrow, to find out more about this new product. Here is an excerpt of our conversation:
 How would you describe Sockupied?
Sockupied
is technique wrapped in pure fun!
OK, more specifically Sockupied is an eMag-a completely
interactive digital publication-that focuses on sock knitting. It includes
videos, articles, patterns, illustrations, and interactivity designed to help
you make just the socks you want, socks that fit your feet and your knitting
styles.
What are the greatest benefits of eMags?
I think it's the combination of
elements and perspectives. It's the only medium I know of where you can watch a
video, look at illustrations and photos (and zoom in if necessary), and read
directions simultaneously-so you don't have to choose between learning visually
and by reading directions.
Why an eMag about socks?
Like a lot of
knitters, I've fallen in love with sock knitting. Socks are habit forming, I
think Cookie A. said it best when I asked her this question: Socks are the
perfect "canvas." They're small enough that you can try something adventurous
and still finish in your lifetime; they're worked almost entirely in the round
(for people who don't like to purl); they use a pretty consistent amount of
yarn (and beautiful yarn at that!); and they're wonderful to wear. 
Socks look complicated, but they
use a pretty consistent set of skills: knitting in the round, increasing and
decreasing, following charts, and a few others.
What is the best part about making socks?
For
me, the best part is putting them on at the end and feeling how well they fit.
There are other parts that are close, too: I love buying sock yarn, I love
trying something new and figuring it out, I love seeing the innovative patterns
that designers create, and I love the community of sock knitters! It's
surprising that something so utilitarian inspires a lot of passion, but the people
I've met through sock knitting are clever and interesting and really generous
with their knowledge.
What is your favorite part of Sockupied Spring 2011?
When I see the draft versions of
the issue, there are always a few things that make me clap and jump up and
down. I am childishly amused by the way the skeins of sock yarn appear in the
Great Yarns feature. For sheer enjoyment, my favorite thing in this issue is
the "Color Me Argyle" painter applet, where you select an area of an argyle
sock and choose a color to fill it in with. (I'm not always very brave when it
comes to color, but some of the colors that look good together have really
surprised me.)
In terms of usefulness, the one
part I'll use over and over is Chrissy Gardiner's article on changing the heel
of a sock with three incredible calculators. I like to knit toe-up, and my big
feet often require me to size up patterns. I often wind up fudging the heels
because even though I could work out the math, I never do. Chrissy's
calculators do the math for me, so when I change the number of stitches in the
sock, I can see right away how to work the heel.
I echo Anne Merrow observation, "Interweave is a dangerous
place in that you pick up lots of new passions working here." Download your
copy of Sockupied and find a new passion of your own.
Best wishes,
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