Mmmm handkit wool socks. I don’t want to say there’s nothing better, but… handknit wool socks are pretty dang good.
This is my most recent sock project, and I really mean recent – I just finished these a couple of days ago! Fresh off the needles and all that!
I’ve mentioned numerous times that I love sock knitting because it’s SO good for traveling – the project itself is super portable, relatively mindless (well, depending on the pattern I suppose haha), and you can always squeeze a little ball of sock yarn in your bag as a souvenir! This is my latest sock-travel project, and the first of my sock-yarn souvenirs.
Is this not the coolest yarn? It’s a Crazy Zauberball, which I picked up at Knitwit Yarn Shop in Portland, Maine, when I was there for my sewing retreat in September. I was looking for a unique yarn and this is definitely unique. I’ve never seen anything like it – the colors gradually fade into a new color at random intervals, and the color combinations themselves are a bit of a surprise. I almost left with a grey/black/white gradient, but my shopping buddies convinced me to get the orange/blue combo because it was a lot more unexpected. I’m glad I did, because it was pretty fun to watch the colors change as I knit each round!
The pattern is the Skyp Rib socks, which I’ve seen get rave reviews on Ravelry. I like that the socks look like they have a bunch of tiny cables, but there’s actually no cabling in this pattern – it’s just a series of passed-over stitches. The name of the pattern is the name of the stitch – a “skyp” stitch is slip 1, knit 1, yarn over, pass slipped stitch over. You do these in alternating rows of 3 and it looks like cables 🙂 It’s also fairly mindless – except if you are unlucky enough to drop a stitch. That shit was a nightmare and I can’t even tell you how many times I unknit these things to try to correct my stitch counts. The rest of the pattern is relatively easy – top down, knit in the round on DPNs (I used circulars via Magic Loop cos that’s how I roll) with a size 0 needle. Honestly, the Skyp pattern probably wasn’t the best for this yarn as it gets a little lost in the color gradients, but that’s ok!
I don’t have a lot of pictures because it’s surprisingly hard to get good photos of your feet when you’re flying solo! Especially if you don’t want them to look like giant paddles (which is an accomplishment in itself, because I actually have pretty small feet – like, I can wear kid’s shoes. They looked HUGE in some of those photos, though, ha!). So here’s some detail shots. How many photos of socks do you really want to see, anyway? Right? Right. Don’t answer that if you err on the side of a foot fetish. Let me keep my innocence.
That’s all! Short and sweet 🙂 I would absolutely consider knitting this pattern again, because it was just interesting enough to not be boring and the Skyp stitch is so pretty, but I have a few more patterns in my arsenal that I want to try first 🙂 And I DEFINITELY want to knit with more Zauberballs! Every single one of the colorways is just fantastic.
I think I’ve asked this question before – but it bears repeating. What you’re favorite sock pattern? What’s your favorite crazy sock yarn? What you’re favorite ~normal~ sock yarn? What is a horse shoe? What does a horse shoe do? Are there any horse socks? Is anybody listening to me?
LLADYBIRD 
This is my all time favourite sock knitting pattern! You can knit two at a time on your magic loop, they are toe up(so no grafting), and the heel is great once you get used to it. This lady also has the same pattern for worsted weight socks. I’ve made some of these for gifts out of beautiful Malabrigo Rios. http://download1437.mediafire.com/5r2ss9ck18gg/pqd9uic2gf1dx1n/Toe-Up+Faux+Heel+Flap+Fingering-Weight+Socks+pattern+-+KnitFreedom.pdf
Ahh, I so wanted to try two at a time until I realized I’d need two balls of yarn 😐 I don’t have a ball winder (and have learned it’s a terrible idea to try it myself by hand. Talk about a clusterfuck!), and I’m not at the point where I’m willing to buy two balls. But eventually I do want to put it to the test! Thanks for the pattern recc, that one certainly looks intriguing!
If you’re using a skein, you can pull from both ends & knit two @ a time.
That won’t create a massive tangle??? Um, this could be life-changing!
It will twist a bit, yes, but you can stop and let the twist twirl itself out, every half-hour or so.
Favorite sock yarn depends on who they are for…..my boyfriend gets Patons Kroy (not fancy but comes in self striping and he can wash/dry it all he wants). Socks for me my favorites are either Malabrigo sock yarn (for solids, and it’s so soft!) or my local indie dyer Ethereal Fiber (you can find her on Etsy!) for fun variegated yarns.
Everyone loves that Malabrigo! I just got a skein as a gift and I’m really excited to knit it up – the colorway is beautiful! The Ethereal Fiber is also gorgeous!
My favorite socks to knit are not from a pattern, but a method, for top-down socks. Elizabeth Zimmerman’s “Knitting Without Tears” was a revelatory read for me, yonks ago. She explained it in words, then provided step-by-step instructions. I’m sure she also filmed a tutorial, as she and her daughter Meg Swanson were innovators in the field.
1. Use whatever yarn you want, and needles to give you a flexible fabric. Knit a gauge to determine how many stitches you’ll need to get the diameter sock you want (after making 50-bajillion socks, I know by instinct how many stitches I’ll need). f
2. When you’ve worked the leg as far down as you want to go, put half of your stitches on one needle. Work a square heel flap on those stitches — to check for square, work until you can fold the heel in half and you get a right-angle triangle. (Note: EZ makes the excellent suggestion to slip the first stitch of each row, and to keep the first and last three stitches of your heel flap in garter stitch. Makes a neat edge for picking up stitches later, and a pretty design at the heel gusset). Easiest to remember for heel flap is K1 – Slip 1 YIB across.
3. “Turn” the heel, by your preferred method. I prefer the German or square method, so I don’t have to calculate short rows: Keep the middle third of heel stitches as a saddle, work back and forth, eating up one stitch on each side until you’re left with just the middle stitches. (I keep the saddle in K1 – Slip 1 YIB, so the heel bottom is cushioned.)
4. Pick up stitches and knit around the whole foot. Divide the heel stitches evenly onto two needles, and start decreasing at the gusset by your preferred method. Remember to knit the picked-up stitches in the back of the stitch, to twist them so that there is no looseness at the heel sides!
5. I knit the sole of my socks in K2P2 ribbing for about an inch, right after the gusset decrease is finished. Helps pull the sock in around the instep.
6. I prefer a “standard” toe decrease, and I graft the last few stitches. For a rounder toe: Knit two rows after each decrease row, until you get close to the end — then go to one row after each decrease. You’ll have to judge the length to allow for this, maybe start your toe at 2 inches left to knit instead of 1 inch left to knit.
7. If you’re short on yarn, start your sock in the middle, with a provisional cast-on. Knit the foot down, then pick up the provisional stitches and knit the cuff up until you run out of yarn.
I am going to have to check that book out for sure. While I love following patterns, eventually I’d like to just figure a formula that I can follow and adapt. Those steps sound really intuitive! The farthest I’ve gotten at this point is knowing my yarn weight/needle size/stitch count for a good fit – well, that’s a good start, anyway! (sock weight, size 0, 60 stitches – if you were curious 😉 haha)
Dover Books has reprinted it, at a reasonable price. You can also find good used copies through the usual venues. She was a amazing writer, as well as being a good teacher and a fantabulous needlewoman.
Love the socks. I am a scarf knitter myself, but can see adapting the stitch pattern (with this yarn) to a lovely winter scarf.
That would be a beautiful scarf! Especially if you used a thicker yarn so the stitches would really pop 🙂
I love handknit socks. My goal was to have enough to wear each week, and I’m not completely sure, but I think I have reached that goal. I’ve been just slightly (haha understatement of the century) forgetful (and slow at crafting of any sort) since having the bebe.
I have a few pairs of socks in *fun* patterns (oh how I love Cookie A’s patterns), but the ones I love wearing the most are my Plain Vanilla Socks. They are sofa king boring to knit, but they are so comfy! And I use variegated yarns to make them not quite as monotonous.
I’m a fan of Knit Picks superwash sock yarns mostly because I’m a cheapass, and they’ve worn well for me. I have also picked up some specialty sock yarns here and there, but if I’m purposely ordering something, it’s gonna be from Knit Picks.
I have a ball of Zauberball but haven’t used it yet because I thought it was just plain wool; not superwash? I have one pair of socks (that I’m actually wearing right now!) that got slightly smaller and smaller as I washed them, so I am careful not to use any plain wool anymore.
Also: Magic Loop 4eva
Ooh I’m so jealous! I’m not at the point of having a pair to wear each week, but I’m slowly working towards it 🙂 And I thought the Zauberball was superwash? Is it not? Shit, I’m gonna have to research that hahaha, now you’d got me all paranoid! I like my socks to shrink up a tiny bit (I knit really loose, so they slouch and a wash snaps them right back into shape) but I certainly don’t want them to shrink so much that they eventually don’t fit haha
Welcome to the club! Knitted socks are one of my favorite pleasures. Personally, I like a sock that isn’t overly fussy. I feel Too much lace/cabling can get pretty uncomfortable inside a shoe (IMO). My go-to patterns are Hermoine’s Everyday Sock, Scott Base Sock, Monkey Socks and Plowshare Socks. For yarn, Wollmeise is amazing and has beautiful colors. I also really like Catipillar yarns, Hedgehog Fibers, and Huckleberry Knits.
I agree with you! Too much party on the sock is uncomfortable – if not a little drafty (well, with lace anyway). Everyone loves those Hermoine socks, I am going to have to try those next. Thank you for the reccs! Your sock knitting is 100% the reason why I was ready to travel down that sock path, so THANK YOU for the inspo too 😀
Nice socks and you’re right, hand knit wool socks are the best! I like the books “Socks from the toe-up” and “Toe-up socks for every body” by Wendy D. Johnson.
Awesome, I will check those out :DDD
I love knitting socks. (I’m bonniebeth on ravelry if you want to see.) My favorite sock yarn is Felici, a self-striping yarn from Knitpicks. They only bring it out every so often, and when the colorways are sold out, they’re gone. This is frequently devastating to me, and I have an unhealthy amount of it squirreled in the stash BECAUSE WHAT IF I CAN’T EVER GET MORE? My very favorite sock pattern is Diagonal Rib by Ann Budd. (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diagonal-rib-socks – you can get the pattern for free from Interweave.) That Ann Budd is a genius. It’s an easy four-row pattern, and once you’ve done it for awhile, you won’t have to look at the pattern.
Oh, I completely understand stashing when there’s a shortage – but GIRL, that yarn ain’t doing anything if it’s squirrelled away! Imagine how much you will enjoy knitting it! And then wearing it! Orrrr at least hang those skeins up so you can stare at them every day, haha!
That’s a gorgeous pattern!
Lovely socks! I never Ravelry/blog my socks but I do enjoy making them and have, hm, maybe a dozen by now. Awesomeness. I also LOVE Crazy Zauberball. Currently knitting a pair of colorwork handwarmers with some Rainbow Brite-ish CZ leftover from a pair of socks – YES. Personally, I’ve tried cabling and slip stitching with socks and just can’t get myself to do it with the tiny needles and yarn, so my favorite “vanilla with a twist” pattern is Skew from Knitty. I wear a size 8.5 and usually take out 1/2″ in length from the pattern, FYI, but it’s tons of fun, easy to memorize, and what sewist doesn’t love a fun bias riff on a basic?
I always forget to Ravelry my socks, but I like to look through the finished projects and see them, so I eventually add them 🙂 And, holy shit, that Skew pattern is incredible looking. Wow!
Socks are the one thing I haven’t gotten around to doing yet but I totally want to try making some at some point this year. Every time I’m on Ravelry I end up favoriting a few patterns with a “maybe someday!” idea in my head, but I’m also about 900% sure I’d get a really bad case of second sock syndrome and never finish a pair.
Also, they totally make socks for horses and they’re called WHINNY WARMERS
I was afraid of SSS too, but if you get a variegated/self-striping yarn (or hell, just something really beautiful that you can’t stop touching) it makes it more exciting to get to the second one 🙂 For me, I see the second sock as a way to improve my first one, so I like that too. Or you could just do two at a time! Eventually I want to try that.
WHINNY WARMERS OMG ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT HOW HAHA
Set up both socks at the same time, either both at same time on Magic Loop, or two sets of DPN. Knit a few inches on one, then knit the other to match. Takes the same amount of time on a clock as knitting one, then knitting the other — but you’ll finish them at the same time and have a pair that matches each other in tension and size better than you might have done otherwise. Just a thought … I’ve done socks this way for over a decade now, about 30-40 pairs a year.
I’m working on Temperance right now – http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/temperance.
Mine are here – http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Samina/temperance
It’s a fun pattern, but make sure you’re using super-pointy tipped needles. There are lots of twisted stitches & they’re a beast with a duller needle.
Those are super pretty! And I love the yarn you used for your pair 😀
Cute socks! Your post is so timely for me because I am going to be traveling in February and socks would be a perfect traveling project! thanks for the reminder…it’s been a long time since have knit socks so we will see how it goes!
What a fabulous pair of socks, Lauren — thanks for sharing on the pattern! Hadn’t heard of this one, but have queued it and it might get knitted up with the ball I’ve got of Crazy Zauberbal (similar colorway to yours). Don’t worry about washing these socks; the yarn has 25% nylon — which is GREAT for making them wear well — and should be no problem. The socks I’ve knit with as little as 10% nylon have all washed and dried well. I just throw them in a small tub with some Eucalan or Soak, squeeze out as much moisture as I can, and throw them over the shower curtain bar. And, while I don’t know of any horse socks, I’m just finishing up a pair of socks with paw prints Woof! Socks by Maria Jessup on Ravelry. Very cool. But, I do have some fingerless gloves queued that are horsey — http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/horse-lovers-mitts — and a scarf –http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/horsin-around-scarf. Eventually…. 🙂
I am actually working on the second sock with this pattern! It is easy and looks great. The only thing I would change is make the leg a bit longer. Yours look great in those colors!
I use Stephanie Pearl McPhee’s basic sock recipe – yarnharlot.ca – yarnharlot on ravelry. I have it memorized and so it’s perfect for a portable project. I like madelinetosh sock yarn and Opal solids which I make my own patterns with. The Opal sock yarns make socks that you can wear for years. I buy the yarns at The Websters/yarnatwebsters.com
I’m traveling a bit this week, and would love to start knitting! If anyone has a good sock pattern for beginners or somewhere I can get good resources I’d appreciate it!
I learned sock knitting from a great pattern, Classic Socks for the Family by Melinda Goodfellow, available on Ravelry. It has sizing for babies through men, choice of three different yarn weights (fingering, sport, worsted), and choice of different rib patterns. A great way to start is to knit a baby sock. You learn all the moves (they are the same no matter what size sock you make), and once you know the basics you’re all set to knit any sock you like.
And to answer Lladybird’s question about favorite sock patterns, I also like My Cup of Tea Socks and Railroad Rib Socks, both on Ravelry.
Those look awesome. I’m amazed that you are persistent enough to finish these projects.
*eyes her bag full of sock yarn and tiny needless that she bought last year *
I’ve seen horses with leg warmers but not socks. 🐴
Nice socks! Fun and colorful socks make for a brighter day.
My favorite inexpensive sock yarn is Patons Kroy. My fave pricier is Socks That Rock. Both are warm and squishy and wash like a dream. I’ve become a huge fan of Hermoine’s Everyday socks lately because it’s an easy pattern to remember and it looks great. The designer has lots of nice patterns that I want to try.
I’ve seen horseshoe cables on socks, but not socks on horses. Heck, someone with good intarsia skills could make socks with horses on them.
What great yarn! I’ve never tried Zauberball but it looks awesome! Plus it has such a fun name (“magic” ball!). Like everyone else, I love Hermione’s Everyday Socks, and I’m working through the patterns in Custom Socks– it’s a great book! My favorite sock yarn is Spun Right Round… it’s got this cool speckled effect, so you have two or three stitches in one color, then it switches to another color. It’s hard to put down your knitting because you get so excited about seeing the next color pop up!
These are gorgeous! I’ve never knitted socks before but Jan’s suggestion of trying baby socks first is great.
Pretty socks!
I like the Jaywalker pattern for self striping yarn–looks even wackier. Knitterly Things and Must Stash are my favorite yarns, I’m a hoarder of both! And my feet are not super big so I use the leftovers to make helix striped socks, every three pairs. For solid sock yarn, I love Madelintosh and Webs makes Huntington Sock yarn that’s less than $10 for a pair!
thanks for the pattern recommendation. I’ve been wanting to knit another pair of cable socks but in reality just couldn’t face it! I’ll be giving these a go.