It is pretty amazing that I finished my first pair of socks in October of last year. Now, working on my seventh pair, I am a true sock knitting convert. This is my newest addition to my ever-growing sock drawer – and maybe my favorite.
There is something so utterly enjoyable about knitting a sock – since my first pair was officially finished I have never even remotely suffered from the dreaded “second sock syndrome”. There is this zen like state that is achieved by knitting socks, especially socks with stripes
When I am knitting a pair of socks with stripes I will often be heard muttering “just one more color!” and watching it grow is just mesmerizing in the best way possible. Knitting Sarah’s Socks with Sarah KAL (#sockswithsarah) has given me the perfect opportunity to indulge in selfishly knitting for myself and my loved ones. My Dad received his first pair and the hubby is already hinting – quite loudly – that he would love some socks. Before I move on, let’s enjoy a montage of sock-y goodness, just for giggles. 😉
Yea socks!!
Moving on. I have mainly been modifying the Knitmore Girls Vanilla Sock Pattern for my own socks. Before Sarah came along, Operation Sock Drawer had me yearning to fill up my dresser with handmade socks. Other patterns I’ve tried were the Patons Simple Socks and the Men’s Basic Sock Pattern for my Dad.
Also, I’ve only used Patons Kroy Sock Yarn or Lions Brand Sock-Ease yarn so far. I really like the Patons yarn, but the Lions Brand just hasn’t grown on me. It’s gonna have to though, because after the pair of socks I casted on yesterday I am out of sock yarn except for two balls of the Sock-Ease. This isn’t really that scary, I don’t need to buy Malabrigo sock yarn and there is still Premier Sock Yarn (at a whopping $2.99 a ball) to try. I will keep my eyes out for sock yarn sales as well.
I am, at least as of right now, firm on my decision not to integrate patterns into my socks for two primary reasons: 1. I don’t have a cable needle that I can wield on sock yarn and 2. I like the brainless knitting. Socks are meditative, I think I might have mentioned that, but it is also fabulous for my hand. So what are my plans to not bore Sarah to death?
- Afterthought Heel.
- Fish Lip Heel
- Toe Up Socks
- Houdini Socks
- Spiceman Socks
- Two at a time socks
So there’s my plan friends and neighbors – now back to knitting!
Loved your sock post. Looking forward to started my second pair tonight. I too am completely in love with stripes and have found no need, so far, to venture into stitch patterns.
I couldn’t agree more, the yarn is just too much fun!
I notice some of your socks are quite long how do you cope withthe fact that calves are thicker than feet.
I have very weird bird legs – so I can knit a 7.5″ cuff with no alterations.
With my dad’s socks I did do shaping though. There is a pattern on Ravelry, Basic Men’s socks? that accounts for how to do basic calf shaping.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-formula-for-mens-socks
Thanks.
Love the sock collection!
You’re doing an amazing job! I’m inspired!
Aww shucks *blushing* 😉
All those socks are beautiful!
Thank you!
How do you carry your colors inside the socks? Do you cut your yarn and weave in the ends, or do you carry your yarn through to the next stripe? I’d love to try a striped sock pattern, but I’m hesitant to weave in all those ends.
My trick? Self-Striping sock yarn! This is literally just one ball with color variations dyed in. By the way, it’ amazing! 🙂
Love them all, but especially the purple ones 🙂
Thank you!
Love them!!! Great post and awesome sock philosophy!
Thank you!
I need to get me some self striping yarn. It looks addictive!! All of your socks are beautiful.
Thank you! Self striping sock yarn is just amazing, it makes knitting plain old socks exciting. Bonus: Patons yarn is available at big box stores were you can use coupons.
Those new socks are awesome! I agree that plain vanilla socks are very soothing and satisfying, and I think self-striping sock yarn really feeds the addiction!
It’s the knitting version of crack 😉
Q – Wow! I need to run get some of that yarn and knit socks. Great socks! I love the magic loop. Cannot knit with double pointed needles anymore.
I always thought DPNs were the way to go, that magic loop was “cheating”. Then I tried it and I will never, ever, go back!
Soooooo beautiful! I agree sooooo meditative too. All round wonderful. Thanks Moke.
So how do you modify the pattern?
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