Sock Talk


I think everybody has a preference of how they knit up socks.  I knit my first sock in the early 1990's before there was internet and before knitting socks was a trend.  I picked up a pattern at a LYS (so lucky there was one in!) and just started knitting.  Yep.  I did not do gauge.  So the socks came out HUGE because it was DK weight yarn.  Also the socks had about 50% cotton content so they were soaking wet whenever you wore them, they did not wick away water.  I have them somewhere in my cedar chest and I do love them because they were my very first pair.

Now that I am a seasoned knitter, I have certain criteria for my sock knitting.  I always knit on double pointed metal needles.  I think I knit the fastest on these and I do not get ladders.  I am guessing that I have been knitting for so long that I have perfected my tension.  I have done magic loop and just did not care for it.  I'm old fashioned???


I ALWAYS buy superwash wool with 25% nylon.  My absolute favorite yarn is trekking.  I machine wash all of my hand knit socks in cold water and sometimes I accidentally dry them in the dryer.  Trekking can handle my mistakes.  I avoid non commercial dyed yarn for socks because I do not hand wash and there's the chance they will felt (and they do when I dry them!).


I use 5 needles for knitting socks so that when I get to the heel flap I do not have to rearrange any stitches.  I cast on 60 stitches for me or my daughter and I cast on 68 stitches for the guys.  With sock yarn on size 2 needles.  It never changes.  I like to cast on multiples of 4 stitches so I can do a 2 x 2 ribbing.  I love cuff down construction just because. This is the little pattern that I came up with for these pair of socks.

Cast on 68 sts. join.  knit 2 x 2 ribbing for 2 inches.

Start pattern:

Row 1-4:  knit
Row 5 + 6: purl
Row 7-9: p2 k2 across
Row 10 + 11: purl

Repeat rows 1-11 until the leg measures around 8 1/2 inches.  As you can see I am not at 8 1/2 inches yet!

Do you have a favorite sock pattern?  dpns or magic loop?  I 'd love to know!!

Comments

  1. UnknownJune 19, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    I love double points, but find I hesitate a bit when faced with the second sock. At this point in my life (with three littler kids), I tend to knit two at a time either magic loop or two circs. I am always changing the pattern as I have a problem with commitment while knitting. I just finished a pair that had been languishing in my basket and am currently working on another. My favorite sock thus far has been a self striping rainbow pair. I vacillate between indie dyers and commercial depending on my mood. I hand wash all of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJune 19, 2012 at 8:13 AM

      Oh and I really like your pattern on these. I need to whip up a few pairs for Dave. I think these may make the list.

      Delete
  2. Tracey ~ CloverJune 19, 2012 at 8:26 AM

    I am currently working on a pair of socks for my daughter and am too embarrassed to say how long they have been on the needles. I do use metal dpn's, but only 4, which I will be changing to 5 to follow your advise. I am still so unsure when I get to the gusset, but am getting a little more confident with each pair I knit. I have never tried the magic loop and really don't think I would like it; it doesn't go with the image I have for sock knitting :) Thanks for the pattern Karen, I will be trying it.

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  3. DeborahJune 19, 2012 at 8:40 AM

    You are so clever knitting socks! but then again you can do anything :) love the colour. Hope you are having a happy week sweetie

    Bee happy x
    Have a delicious day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. eidolonsJune 19, 2012 at 8:41 AM

    I've never knit a sock. I really don't ever want to knit a sock. I'd thought about making some for the babies in the winter (their feet get really cold) but I'm realistic enough to know that they'll end up strewn around the house rather than on little toes. So. No socks. I think it's amazing that people can make them, though. And yours look very nice. (:

    ReplyDelete
  5. ~koJune 19, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Oh my! I want you to knit me a pair :) I use the magic loop in my crochet but I think it's more a comfort zone thing for me. With all your knitting posts you are nudging me closer and closer to picking up my needles again. We shall see :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. TamiJune 19, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    I am so happy to glean your sugggestions about sock knitting. I want to knit some next. I do not prefer the magic loop either. I like dpn's. Have a blessed day, we still have rain........Tami

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tonya GunnJune 19, 2012 at 9:48 AM

    Thank you for sharing.
    Will you share the rest of the pattern?
    Warm wishes and thanks,
    Tonya

    ReplyDelete
  8. MelissaJune 19, 2012 at 9:52 AM

    First off, I love your pattern! Thanks for sharing. I am not a seasoned knitter, but have done socks on DPNs and magic loop. Since I haven't done a lot - 2.5 pairs (one in process) - I haven't developed a preference yet. I do want to learn how to knit two at a time on circulars. That way I won't end up with one sock while the other languishes ;)

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  9. fjord girlJune 19, 2012 at 10:20 AM

    Nice one. Great pattern- I have to try this.
    My goto pattern is always Wendy toe up- easy peasy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Only in Louisiana ~ documenting the adventures we call Life!June 19, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    This is so nice to know....socks have always intimidated me but you made it sound so easy. When I can calm down from my recent adventures and have some quiet time in July, I am going to get back to knitting and if I try a sock, this is what I am going to do. I love the pattern! Thanks.....

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  11. AndriaJune 19, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    I've only really knit one pair of socks on DPN's, next up I will try magic loop so I can compare. I need to get practising too.............

    ReplyDelete
  12. Andrea @ little bucklesJune 19, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    The pattern is lovely! I would love some thick warm socks, they look super comfy :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Angela at Knit LuckJune 19, 2012 at 3:16 PM

    I am a vanilla tow up sock knitter. I use size 2 crystal palace bamboo needles. It's always nice to hear how people knit their socks. Everybody's different.

    ReplyDelete
  14. TannaJune 19, 2012 at 5:27 PM

    Karen, you almost make me want to knit socks. I love the way you have it down to a fine art!! I do like DPN's, but I am just not a sock wearer. When it FINALLY gets cold down here for the few days out of the year, I wear Uggs (no socks, I know it appalls some). But, this post makes me think about it... ;) blessings ~ t.

    ReplyDelete
  15. pinkundineJune 20, 2012 at 4:20 AM

    I used to love DPNs but for some reason I no longer get into the flow with them. Now I'm all about 2 at a time magic loop - no second sock syndrome!

    ReplyDelete
  16. EmilyJune 20, 2012 at 7:05 AM

    I did the magic loop on the frogged pair of socks and I did not like it one bit. I hear so many people rave about it, but no thanks, it's just not for me.

    Thank you for sharing your pattern and the link to the yarn! I am looking for a nice warm sock yarn, but washable, for my father-in-law.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Mama Gone GreenJune 22, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    I still have never tried socks. I fear that after finishing one I would not want to make the second!

    ReplyDelete

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