I’m waitin…..
Terrye
Knitting Editor
http://knitting.craftgossip.com/
Patterns, projects and techniques
, by Terrye. 7 Comments
I’m waitin…..
Terrye
Knitting Editor
http://knitting.craftgossip.com/
The thing about sock knitting is, if it grabs you, it’s probably going to really grab you. I don’t know a lot of knitters who are mild-mannered when it comes to sock knitting. They either never knit socks, they’ve knit one pair to say they’ve done it and never intend to do it again, or they’ve knit (or are on their way to knitting) lots of socks.
You might guess I fall into that last category, though most of the socks I’ve knit are pretty plain, and I would like to up my sock knitting game with some fun new styles.
Enter Knit a Box of Socks by Julie Ann Lebouthillier. This book includes the techniques you need to get started knitting socks if you don’t already know how, as well as 24 patterns to get you started on your dream sock drawer.
The book opens with a quick overview of needed tools and essential stitches, such as knit 2 together, slip slip knit and working German short rows. You’ll also learn how to measure your foot and adapt patterns if needed to get a better fit. There’s also a pattern for a plain stockinette stitch sock worked from the top down, as well as general instructions for converting a sock pattern to work from the toe up.
After that follow the 24 patterns, rated in difficulty level on a scale of one to three socks. Nine of the projects are rated one sock, 13 are two socks and two are three socks.
In addition to patterns using single strands of sock yarn, there are a couple of patterns with sock yarn held double, a few DK weight socks and one pair of short bulky socks that could be worn more like slippers.
There are a couple of fruit-themed patterns (pineapple and watermelon) as well as motifs like sheep, snowflakes, hearts and leaves. There are patterns with stripes and fades, and a little bit of lace and cables along with a variety of colorwork.
Some of my favorites include April Showers, which uses a kit in shades of blue and gray to make rain clouds on the leg and stripes on the foot; Feeling Sheepish, one of the more difficult patterns, which has a round of sheep, checkerboard pasture and colorwork fencing; Snowflake Dreams, the other harder pattern, with snowflake motifss on the front and checkboard stripes on the back; Scrappy Faded, worked with leftovers of different sock yarns held together; and The Other Side of the Rainbow, a shorty sock with a black background and rainbow stripes. (You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.)
This would be a fun book for someone learning to knit socks or for the sock lover in your life looking for some new options and ways to use up sock yarn leftovers.
About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 24 patterns. Published 2024 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.
Purl Jam says
Sorry no encouragement here .. socks stink literally!!
Marlies Cohen says
After 40 years since I last knitted a pair of socks, I have just finished a pair for my hubby. This time I made them without a heel, I guess you would call them tubesocks. But these are with a twist literally, they are spiral socks as the pattern spirals around the sock and so makes the sock fit perfectly. With the leftover from the ball I made a pair of baby spiral socks for my future grandchild. I will post that pattern tomorrow, but for now you can find the picture and pattern at my blog: http://dappledair.blogspot.com/2008/08/spiral-socks.html
It is fun knitting socks, especially when watching TV.
Sara from Paradise Fibers says
Thanks for letting people know about Flat Feet! We just got in the new Flat Feet Sock of the Month. We aren’t allowed to post pictures of it on our website. You can see pictures of it on Ravelry though. If you’re interested in the sock of the month give us a call 888-320-7746.
Sara
PS love your website 🙂
Nancy says
Could be the yarn. I’ve had two pairs of socks that wore out within a few months and one pair that’s lasted for years. I also think some of us are harder on socks than others. Mine wore out while the ones I made my husband and son are still going strong.
You can try reinforcing the heel with sewing thread while you knit it. I’ve heard it helps. You can also buy reinforcing thread.
Denise says
I absolutely love the Monkey Socks designed by Cookie A. from Winter 2006 Knitty, you can find the pattern here: http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter06/PATTmonkey.html
It’s knit on 5 needles which I don’t normally like but this pattern is so well designed and written that even with what appears to be an intricate pattern they are a very easy sock. I am enjoying them very much. And I will make the pattern again.
If you consider yourself an beginner/intermediate knitter then you can most definitely make these socks and love them all the way!
Also I hear the “RPM Sock” from Knitty is also a very good pattern, but I have not yet tried it – it’s on the list!
PS – flat feet are AWESOME too, great for knitting on the go because you don’t have to wrestle with a ball that can get all tangled in your bag.
Terrye says
I will definitely try the monkey socks, they look like it would be an easy pattern to master, yet not boring.
Thanks for sending the link!
Terrye
knitting.craftgossip.com
Ali says
I knit at bulletproof gauge (9st/in on US1 needles) and haven’t had any wear through problems, could be your yarn. MimKnits Boudica socks are a great pattern, so are Hedgerow socks