Here we are at that time of year where I start to imagine myself knitting socks — nice compact little projects to carry around all summer, resulting in warm socks ready for cold toes once the weather heads back the other direction. It’s so very sensible. It never happens, but I can’t let go of the idea of it! Two recent contenders:
TOP: Phyllis by Rachel Coopey looks like a fun stitch pattern to knit that also wouldn’t be irritating to wear
BOTTOM: Marlee by cabinfour (which happen to be named after my friend Marlee Grace), because you can never go wrong with a simple pair of ribbed socks
.
PREVIOUSLY in New Favorites: Giant sheep
I have not knitted socks in years. Is there yarn and/or a technique that you prefer?
I knit myself some socks once. They were fun to knit but I don’t like wearing them. I wear wool socks but the likes of Smartwool, which fit very tightly. I just didn’t like the feel of the handknit ones.
If I get a hankering to knit more, though, because they really are fun to knit, I’ll see if I can find someone who likes wearing them!
those look like nice patterns! I have some yarn for socks for my niece, I will check those out. :-) It is always good to have a small project (or two!) on the needles. :-)
I just cast on a pair of socks just now using magic loop 2 at a time . I’m not following a pattern, as I almost never do for anything, but they will look just like those Marlee socks, except darker in color. I love that socks are such a quick easy knit. Just a few days and they are all done. This is the first pair that I am making for myself though, I so often knit things like these for others.
I have been using socks as my “portable project” for a little while now although I seem to be on pause with a current sock languishing at the instep. Nonetheless, I don’t mind knitting socks (one at a time and on dpn), and it makes me happy to wear them. Plus, sock yarn is the best “quick fix” when you really want to buy some yarn; one skein and you scratch that itch.
In January, I decided that I was going to learn to knit socks and hopefully I would enjoy it and want to knit more. I am now on my 4th pair of socks and I love knitting socks! I will probably always have a pair on the needles.
Bummer that Phyllis is not sold as a standalone pattern. Hunter Hammersen is my favorite for beautiful sock patterns, I am thinking of making Sybaritic soon. I can’t get it out of my head that those leaves look like peacock feathers, and I have just the right peacock-y yarn.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sybaritic
I always have 2 socks on a long circular in my bag. I know you are not not a fan of magic loop but it really helps me avoid SSS. Either I will have two socks or none at all!! :)
Can anyone call out a simple first sock pattern? I’ve heard toe up, etc. I would like to try a pair but not get discouraged with something way beyond my reach. Thank you!
Hi Di,
This is more of a sock formula but I found it really helpful:
http://www.knittersreview.com/article_how_to.asp?article=/review/profile/070719_a.asp
Di, the pattern in the Yarn Harlot’s book “Knitting Rules!” got me through my first pair. And every pair I knit up, I drag out the little book and carefully follow her instructions for the basics. For me she makes sense.
Di, I’m no expert on socks, but a few years ago when I wanted to start knitting them I looked all over the place for the perfect basic sock recipe. I found it on ravelry. Two at a time, toe-up, on magic loop. She has it all figured out for any size sock, in the yarn you want, in your gauge. So totally customizable, and easy. I had no problems following this pattern because she has very detailed instructions with photos showing you how to do it. I haven’t looked back since finding this pattern. This is the name of the pattern byZhenya Lavy. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mash-up-magic-toe-up-socks-recipe-mumtu-socks. I’ve used it many times, trying different toe techniques, and cuff designs.
Socks are my go-to/fallback project. Yesterday I was knitting out in the paddock, surrounded by cashmere goats :)
I’ve never knitted socks before, the sheer number of possible techniques leaves me overwhelmed. It would be so fun to see a fringesockalong some day!
This must be a sock time of year! I just finished a pair I had on the needles for three years. What a great feeling. Now on to the next pair that’s been on needles for two years. I’m finding myself more and more drawn to my handknit socks and less comfortable with tight fitting commercial socks. I fell in love with sock yarn as soon as I started knitting again several years ago. I use handdyed skeins on Etsy or through Ravelry. I mostly doubled it and made one-of-a-kind hats. If I’m knitting socks, I knit two at a time on circulars, keep the pattern simple as I’m usually using wild colored yarn and finish them per the Yarn Harlot’s basic sock instructions. (Hers is the only instructions on turning the heel that I could figure out when I first started!)
I’ve always been concerned that my handknit socks won’t stay up. Anyone have that problem?
Anna- I’m surprised that they always stay up! I have come to believe that socks fall down because they are too tight, not too loose! Crazy but true. My hand knits sit a little off my ankle, all soft and wonderful, and just stay there all day long.
Thank you, that’s reassuring. I wouldn’t have thought it, but now I can see how too tight would make them fall :)
I do love a good pair of ribbed socks <3
http://www.wllwproject.com
I’m sorry but with all the gazillions of free sock patterns out there why would anyone pay for a pattern of plain ribbed socks?
I love to knit socks! I just learned a few years ago but have knit about five or six pairs. It is just like anything – take it one step at a time. Don’t become overwhelmed by the instructions, just knit the row you are on. Before you know it, you have turned the heel and are on your way to being finished!
I have never felt the desire to try knitting socks until these past few weeks! Must be contagious :) I think I am also attracted to knitting socks in speckled yarns whereas most other projects I prefer semi-solid or solid. So it gives me an excuse to buy those fun yarns and believe I will wear the finished product.
I love knitting socks! Even better than knitting them and getting to try all of the fun stitch patterns is actually getting to wear them. They are like cozy knitted hugs for your feet. Everybody who has been on the receiving end of my socks are very, very spoiled and don’t really like to wear anything else now.
I need a toe-up ribbed sock pattern! I’m looking forward to knitting socks too this spring; no big bulky piles of wool in my lap as it starts to heat up.
they both look lovely and compfy! I wish I could get pass my “fear” of knitting socks and just try it :).. selfmade socks are the best to wear (still using those my grandma made me years ago…)
Pingback: New Favorites: Dafne all over again | Fringe Association