50+ Sock Patterns From 50+ States

This came to me from Tina Sanders of the Phoenix Knitting and Crochet Examiner. And how cool is this! Available from Crystal Palace Yarns, a DVD featuring sock patterns from the 50 states, plus Canadian Provinces as well as some US Territories.

Here’s what Crystal Palace says:

50 Socks – 50 States plus Canada, Mexico and Territories (58 sock patterns)

A Sock Book on a CD! (both PC and Mac versions)
Suggested retail is $24.95 for 58 sock patterns and special pages of Fun Facts for each state plus Canada, Mexico and several US Territories. Knit and Learn at the same time.

Check at your local knitting shops or favorite online shops in early January 2010.

Dr. Laura Andersson and editors have put together this collection from sock designers gleaned from all over the internet. A monumental task and a wonderful collection of sock designs for all levels and gauges.

The photos show the states and areas in alphabetical order (click to make bigger).

All socks are knit in Crystal Palace Yarns. All socks are photographed by Susan Druding showing several views and close-ups of each sock. http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns2/socks/50SocksBook.html

Next Pattern:

The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical.

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique.

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead.

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit.

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern.

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like.

[Photo: Maymade Knits]

Next Pattern:

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