Thoughts on Socks

In my previous post on socks, I didn’t really get into detail about my experience with sock knitting, just how obsessed I am with it. Here’s a little more about how I feel about the technical part of it. I’m not adding any links or photos in the body of this post, but I will add a few links at the end.

I’ve only done about four or five pairs of socks at this point, mostly with worsted weight yarn. I tend to really like small, portable projects that can be finished relatively quickly. I have done many hats and arm/wrist-warmers, so socks seem like a natural extension of that philosophy. They knit up fairly quickly, and I can knit them on the bus or while watching a movie or listening to the radio. I like that they give me the option of trying new techniques like lace and cables on a small scale before committing to a larger project that incorporates them. Of course, I could just practice them on yarn from my stash, but it would be less fun, and I like to have something to show for my efforts.

I have tried both the Magic Loop method and knitting on double-points for socks. I prefer the double-points, but mostly because I don’t like maneuvering my circular needle for the Magic Loop– it gets twisty and I feel like I spend more time moving it around than knitting. If anyone has any pointers about this, please feel free to comment. I’m open to trying again, but for now I’m sticking to double-points. I’ve been using Clover Takumi Bamboo needles, but just by default since they’re what my LYS has the most of, and I have a cat that likes to chew on the ends of them.

In terms of construction, I’ve only done cuff-down socks, though I’m interested in trying to do them from the toe up. This month’s Interweave Knits has an entire section dedicated to toe-up socks, and I ordered some lightweight Socks That Rock yarn that I think I’ll use to try out this method. I have done one pair of socks with a short-row heel, but I think that until I get better about modifying patterns to fit my foot more precisely, I’ll stick to the heel flap and gusset for awhile.

As far as fiber is concerned, I’m really loving merino right now. In general, wool is my fiber of choice, and now that I’ve knitted socks out of merino, I don’t have a huge interest in using any other fibers. I’ve used Cascade 220 and Noro Kureyon for thick, warm socks, but now that I have a pair made of merino, I think it’s worth the treat. I love how they feel on my feet, and I enjoy the tactile sensation of knitting merino. It also gives me a chance to work with beautiful hand-dyed yarns that I might not be able to afford for a larger garment, like a sweater.

In the recent weeks since I became sock-obsessed, I have noticed that there is no shortage of sock knitters on the internet. I’ve seen many knit-alongs and sock clubs, but I appear to be late for the party. Is this actually sock season? Though I enjoy knitting socks anyway, maybe next year I’ll try to get in on the sock club action for some camaraderie.

Cascade 220
Noro Kureyon
Blue Moon Fiber Arts, home of Socks That Rock
Interweave Knits