I know... I've been such a bad socktoberfest participant... I haven't even done the meme yet! so here goes, 13 days behind schedule:

(edited to add: haha! did I forget question #1?? sigh...)

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I started making socks in june (of 2006). I "taught" myself. the vast majority of my knitting was "self" taught. that is, if you consider "self" to be the internet and a buttload of books. anyway, no, I was not taught by a real live person, but yes, I love the sock thing! perhaps the lack of the real live person is to blame for my weird interpretation of directions/patterns. I think I get a lot of my inspiration from other bloggers, too. this question is going nowhere. no wonder I subconsciously skipped it earlier.

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
well, my first full pair was the elfines I made for my friend's birthday. my first sock is my pink thuja, which is still waiting for a mate... I'm not sure how the elfines are holding up, and the thuja is unworn, cuz I feel silly wearing just one sock.What would you have done differently?
I probably would have been better about learning how to kitchener the toe properly. also, I would also have known that "sl1 pwise" doesn't require you to also bring the yarn to the front. I think I would also have done it toe up instead.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
considering I've only knit a few socks in my short sock knitting life, I guess I don't have that much experience with lots of sock yarns. but I loved the artyarns supermerino I used on thuja, and I LOVE koigu, and I am also a big fan of cherry tree hill... I have a bunch of other yarn in the stash that I'm eager to try out. I'll let you know what I think of those when they someday turn into real socks.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
crochet and I have a love/hate relationship. I can't imagine crocheting socks. I can't imagine crocheting anything that isn't some kind of rectangle. I am not opposed to dpns, but I prefer magic loop, since you only need one needle and there's nothing to lose. also, I'm not sure how to start a toe up sock otherwise. I am a toe-up fan all the way! I like being able to know how long I can make the leg without worrying about running out of yarn before I finish the toe. also, I am scared of the kitchener...

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I am a short row (sherman) fan, but mostly because I haven't figured out how to do a toe-up heel flap. also, I think I like the look of the short row heel better. altho, sometimes the flap looks better with certain patterns... so... really, I guess I'm on the fence.

How many pairs have you made?
pairs? I've officially completed two pairs. haha. but for gifts. the elfines and the crooked cable socks. I have two lone (as in lonely) socks and one soon to be lonely sock. will they ever have mates? only time will tell... that's the point of socktoberfest, tho, is it not? for susan to have at least one complete pair of socks?

guess what, tho? someone is ready for a heel! looks like he's also ready for a wedge. heehee. please don't ask me why it's taken me so freaking long to get the leg done on these. it's not even "these". it's just "this". sigh. so pretty, tho... yums... please keep in mind, these are really a turquoise, which is turning out to be the most impossible color to photograph. anyway, happy friday! momma's got a new pair of shoes!