How to Knit Socks that Last

Pretty much everyone who has ever knit socks or worn handknit socks thinks they are great, and many of us have a goal of replacing all or most of our socks with knit ones (at least for use during the cold months).

But we expect a lot from handknit socks. Not only do they need to be warm and comfortable, they also need to be able to take a lot of abuse, rubbing on our feet, the floor, our shoes, etc.

Kate Atherley wrote a great post for Mason-Dixon Knitting all about how to knit socks that last. From choosing the right yarn and the right gauge to start with to ways to reinforce potential problem areas, there’s lots of great advice here on what to do — and what not to do — to keep your socks looking great.

As I prepare to embark on fixing a pair of socks for the second time (I knew the yarn wasn’t a great choice for socks from a wearing perspective, but they sure are warm) I’d like to know if you’ve used any of these tips or what you do to help make your knit socks last.

[Photo: Mason-Dixon Knitting.]

Looking for more knitting patterns for socks? Check these out on Etsy. And these Knitting Pattern books on Amazon.

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I’ve shared a lot of Christmas stocking knitting patterns over the years (see posts 1, 2, 3 for example) but what if you want to knit a stocking for a non-human member of your family. If you’re looking for Christmas stocking knitting patterns for your cats or dogs, this is the post for you.

These large paw print stockings are perfect for either dogs or cats, so they’re great to knit if you have both. They are worked in the round using DK weight yarn, and the stocking measures about 17 inches/43 cm from the top to the heel. You can get the pattern from nicolaluke.

The K4 Project has a super cute Kitty Christmas stocking pattern, which is worked in worsted weight yarn. They also have a dog version, or you can buy both and get a discount if you have both dogs and cats to knit for. Both projects have two patterns, showing how to work the stockings flat or in the round.

Put your dog into a Christmas scene with this stocking pattern from ifanhourChild. It shows a dog in a dog house in the snow, and has room for the dog’s name at the top. It’s worked flat using worsted weight yarn and the pattern includes charts for many small and medium dog breeds (there’s a separate listing for bigger dogs) so you can stitch a dog that looks like yours.

Annie’s Woolens has both dog and cat stocking knitting patterns that are worked in worsted weight yarn in the round. You can change up the colors to suit your pet if you want, and they come with an alphabet chart for personalization. Or you can stick with holiday colors and buy a kit to make the dog or cat stocking.

Waiting for Santa Paws is a pattern from Kate Agner on Ravelry that would be cute for a dog or a cat. It looks like a leg with a paw print on the bottom part of the foot and more paw prints running around the top of the leg. This is a great option if you don’t want to mess with a heel turn because it doesn’t have a heel, because dogs and cats don’t have heels so why would their stockings?

Book Review – 20 to Knit: Tiny Christmas Toys to Knit

Book Review – Knit Christmas Stockings

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