The best socks..........
are handknit.
I LOVE to knit socks, and can safely say all of my casual socks are handknit, by me!
This lens is devoted to sock knitting. I'll showcase the best sock yarns, the best stores for online sock yarn, and will link to some sock patterns online, free and otherwise. There are many great books full of sock patterns, and I'll review those, as well.
So grab your needles and start knitting.........some socks!
My blog.............where I can often be found, knitting socks.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byHow it all started............
the beginning of an addiction.
Much like any addict, I remember the exact moment when I became addicted. I was traveling through Novia Scotia on a motorcycle trip during the summer of 2002, and on an off day, I went with some of the women to a yarn mill in Halifax. There, amidst all the fibery goodies was a woman walking around knitting a tube-like thingy on 4 needles. First, I just stared at her, then I approached her and asked: "what are you knitting?" "Socks," she replied. "You just go round and round, and round. Then you turn the heel, and go round and round and round again. Then you make the toe, and you're done. You've got a sock." "Make another and you've got a pair!"While the thought of going "round and round and round," made me a bit dizzy, I liked the idea of being able to knit something so useful, so portable, so clever. Never mind the "turning the heel" puzzle, I wanted to stop right then and there and learn how to do it myself.
So, I bought a kit, with some colorful sock yarn and a pattern. That was it. The moment that I became addicted. I've been at it ever since.
Sock Ingredients - SOCK YARN!
Get your bins ready; out comes the plastic............
Just like the books, I've actually used each of these yarns for socks. (Yeah, I've got a bit of a problem)
- OPAL
- This would have to be at the top of my list of favorites, Opal from Germany, in all of its variations. Absolutely love this stuff. Generous yardage, each ball will make a pair of socks, even for a man with pretty big feet.
- REGIA
- Some folks are tired of the self-striping and patterning yarns, but I still like them. I love to use them for chevron patterns, and sometimes just when I'm bored. You'll need 2 skeins for each pair of socks. If you want the socks to match, you need to keep track of where in the striping you start, and then reproduce it for the other sock. But, fraternal twins are nice too.
- SOCKS THAT ROCK!
- This stuff spread like wildfire through blogland last year, resulting in 4 hour waits to check out at most fiber fairs. Socks that Rock is the ultimate sock yarn, in the most fabulous colorways. Be careful, once you buy it, you'll be hooked. STR comes in three weights, with varying yardage.
- LORNA'S LACES
- Dyed in Chicago, Lorna's Laces in 2 weights, Shepard Sport and Shepard Sock, and wonderful colors is another favorite. Soft, but extremely durable. Machine washable and dryable. None of my Lorna's Laces have any holes, and I wear them without shoes in the house all the time.
- TREKKING XXL
- I have yet to meet a knitter who doesn't LOVE Trekking XXL, with the most wonderful subtle color variations, and now new wild stripes. One ball makes a pair of socks.
- Fortissima Colori Socka
- Similar to Trekking, this yarn is also known for the unusual colorways and subtle variations. One skein will make a pair of socks; you may need more than one for mens socks.
- ONLINE
- Again, a favorite, because of the colors....one skein for a pair.
- FLEECE ARTIST
- I discovered Fleece Artist on the trip through Nova Scotia when I first learned to knit socks. (See, destiny!) It has only recently become readily available in the states. Formerly only in sock kits, with stingy yardage, now you can buy it in generous skeins. Pretty pricey, but worth every penny.
- BEARFOOT
- Mountain Colors Bearfoot is washable, dryable, and available in wonderfully awesome colorways. Soft, soft, soft!
- Super Soxx -
- Lang Jawoll Super Soxx - also from Germany, with typical European unusual colorways. One skein will make a pair.
- Koigu
- I'm almost afraid to tell you about Koigu, because it means that the supply will decrease, and it will become even harder to find. For a nice pair of socks, you may need three skeins, so make sure that you pick your colors well.
Sock yarn vendors online
just a click of the mouse away................
I buy most of my sock yarn online, mainly because you can really get some good bargains. Believe it or not, I have only listed online stores from which I have actually ordered sock yarns.
- Simply Sock Yarn
- Duh? Sock yarns, sock yarns, sock yarns...........great customer service!
- Knit Picks
- If you haven't found knitpicks yet, you need to. Straight from the mill yarns = major savings. I've tried all of these sock yarns, and they are all quite serviceable. Shipping is free, but be prepared to wait for up to 2 weeks for your yarn to arrive.
- The Fold
- You can either get Socks that Rock from BlueMoonFiberArts.com, or from Toni at the Fold! I have to recommend the Fold because of the excellent customer service......Tell Toni I sent you!
- Ewe Knit Kits
- Another personal favorite.........great selection, and watch for the sales!!!!!
- Lisa Souza
- Hand-dyed yummy sock yarns..........
- Yarn Forward
- A great Canadian online source, good prices, quick shipping. Stock selections change frequently.
- Elann
- Sometimes you can find Regia and other sock yarns at great prices; always the "Sock it to me" collection for cheap. Serviceable sock yarns.
- Woodland Wool Works
- I think they carry most sock yarns, with the exception of Lorna's Laces. Great prices, not so personal service-wise, but still great store to deal with.
- Crown Mountain Farms
- Hand-dyed goodies............formerly just found at fiber fairs, this sock yarn is to-dye for......
- The Loopy Ewe
- Wonderful online store, with commercial yarns like Interlacements, AND also independent artists like Sweet Georgia and All things Heather. Don't miss the Fleece Artist yarns...
- Knitterly things
- Julia's Vesper sock yarn is well-known by knitting bloggers. You need to either get on her email list, or check the site frequently. This stuff sells out FAST.
- Kpixie
- Also well-known in blogland, Kpixie carries yarns from many independent dyers and handpainters. Great stuff. Support the independent crafters!
- Ewe Knits Kits
- Another personal recommendation, my source for Lorna's Laces. Wonderful service, fast shipping!
- Angel Yarns
- An UK store that ships everywhere, and has an excellent selection.......Opal, opal, opal...
- The Fifth Stitch
- Another cyberspace gem; great selection, wonderful service. Highly recommended!
- Herrschners
- From Stevens Point, Wisconsin, a good online source for all things yarn, including sock yarn, from Trekking to Patons to Regia. Check often for bargains.
Learn how.................
In the beginning, there was some yarn and some needles........
Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles: a Manual of Elegant Knitting Techniques and Patterns
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Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 08/28/2008)
List Price: $16.95
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Sensational Knitted Socks
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Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 08/28/2008)
List Price: $24.95
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Learn to Knit Socks
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Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 08/28/2008)
List Price: $6.95
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Easy Knitted Socks: Fun and Fashionable Designs for the Novice Knitter
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Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 08/28/2008)
List Price: $19.95
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FREE Sock Patterns
(not for commercial use)
These are free sock patterns online. Please remember to give credit to the designer if you post any pictures of your completed socks!
- Socknitters
- A bunch to get your started!
- Mystery socks
- No picture of the finished sock with the pattern, but I've seen one, and these socks are pretty cute. Be adventurous!
- Yarn Monkey
- The International Sock of Doom Pattern. Have you ever heard a better name for a sock pattern?
- More Mystery socks!
- These socks are called the "0cean" socks.
- Lauri B's Free Pattern
- Koigu ruffles (there used to be a picture, I think) These are really cute, and you can use Koigu!
- sockbug.blog-city.com
- Sockbug has many great free patterns. Just remember to give her credit, email and thank her - she's probably the most generous sock knitter!
- HayStack
- This is a great pattern to combat the dreaded Pooling Sock Yarn Syndrome. Makes a medium-sized women's sock. These socks are worked from the top down, have a "Dutch Heel" and my usual toe.
The BEST of all Sock knitting pattern books!
I'm not kidding; I have them all.
I give all these books a thumbs up, and, in fact, any one could be number 1. I'd love to see your preferences; feel free to re-order the list, or add to it.
The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook: Dyeing, Painting, Spinning, Designing, Knitting by Lynne Vogel
This book is just fun, especially if you want to g more...1 point
Knitting Vintage Socks: New Twists on Classic Patterns by Nancy Bush
When this book came out last year, I vowed to knit more...0 points
Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave
This one isn't quite out yet, but I know I can rec more...0 points
Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush
The first sock book by Nancy Bush, this one is als more...0 points
Folk Socks: The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear by Nancy Bush
This is another Must-have book, full of basic patt more...0 points
More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch
Charlene's books are wonderful, with easy to manag more...0 points
Simple Socks: Plain and Fancy by Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts
This book is just wonderful, and exactly like the more...0 points
Simply Socks: 45 Traditional Turkish Patterns to Knit by Anna Zilboorg
This book is for the more adventurous knitter, who more...0 points
The Sock Calendar: Socks for All Seasons by Catherine Wingate
This one is again, fun - a calendar with a differe more...0 points
Toe Up or Toe down AND the dreaded Kitchener stitch
lessons, lessons, lessons
Being an "old dog" I always use double pointed needles and knit my socks from the cuff down. I know, however, that many more "modern" knitters use two circular needles and knit from the toe up. The toe method allows you to determine the length of the sock by the amount of yarn you have left, and allows for omission of the dreaded Kitchener stitch.
Call me looney, but I actually like grafting toes together. There's a certain magic in watching the two sides join together so completely.
Here are the instructions - click on the button to go directly to the post:
Call me looney, but I actually like grafting toes together. There's a certain magic in watching the two sides join together so completely.
Here are the instructions - click on the button to go directly to the post:
