Here a Sock, There a Sock, Everywhere a Sock Sock

One of the best things about cooler weather is that I can pull out my handknit wool socks to caress my feet and keep the tootsies warm. Sure, some people can wear wool socks year-round, but that’s not me. My feet just get too hot. But once the cooler weather comes, I’m more than ready to put on a pair of my personally made socks.

These are the very first pair of socks I knit. (I refuse to count any of the socks I knit on two needles and then attempted to seam. Actually, I don’t think I have any of those sorry attempts any longer.) They are the simplest of sock construction: a tube sock. But they do have a spiral design, which made the knitting interesting. The socks are made from DK weight yarn, so they are heavier than most of my others. They are wonderful for wearing around the house, especially since they’ve become slightly felted. I usually wear my Birkenstock clogs at all times of the year, and these socks make sure my heels are warm. In short, I love these socks.

I’d love to make another pair, but I have a problem: I have no idea which pattern book I found them in. Since making them, I’ve collected many, MANY more pattern books, many of them dedicated to socks. And to be honest, my organizational system leaves much to be desired. Oh I could find another pattern, or even come up with one of my own, but I just love these socks so much.

Since my initial glee at the successful completion of my first pair of socks, I have knitted several more. In fact, for quite some time, there was never a time when I didn’t have at least one pair on the needles. But then, a few months ago, I seemed to develop sock-knitting ennui. Nothing thrilled me. If I found sock yarn I couldn’t resist, I used it to make fingerless or regular mitts. But then cooler weather returned and with it, my sock-knitting mojo. Here’s my current project.

These are just my plain vanilla socks, because I really want to show off the colors of the yarn. This is a kettle-dyed 50/50 blend of superwash merino and tencel from Susan Brugger at  Sheepish Fibers. It’s one of their Big Foot line, which means there are 500 yards in the skein–something this big foot loves. I love working with this yarn. It’s soft and it doesn’t split, a problem I often find in sock yarn. This is the Petal colorway. I’m not generally a pink person, but I find the subtle color changes are gorgeous and may convert me. Do yourself a favor, and check out the other beautiful yarns Susan has in her shop.

And, of course, you need another sock pattern book

Knitters are always on the lookout for new, interesting patterns, and sock knitters are no exception. And publishers of knitting-related books are rushing to fill that need. Both Cookie A. and Wendy Johnson came out with new books this year. And then there is one of my all-time favorite sock-knitting pattern books, Judy Sumner’s Knitted Socks East and West. But most of us can’t have enough, so check out Kathleen Taylor’s The Big Book of Socks: The Ultimate Beyond-the-Basics Guide to Knitting Socks.

This book has sock patterns for everyone. There are patterns for traditional, plain vanilla (which I love) socks as well as ones for more adventurous knitters and sock wearers. Love short row heels but hate wrapping? You’re covered. There are tube socks, lace socks, beaded socks, and cabled, striped, argyled, and intarsia socks, among others. (Personally, I can’t wait to try the Thrummed Slippers.) Several of the patterns are sized for everyone in the family; many knitters will be happy to see that women’s wide sizes are included in many patterns. There are booties, kneesocks, and lengths between. Do you like short rows but hate the wrapping step?

Most of the patterns are written to be knitted from the top down on DPNs or 1 or 2 circular needles. There are, however, a few patterns that are knit on 2 needles. And if you’re someone who likes to knit using the suggested yarn yet are frustrated when you can’t find it or it’s priced out of your range, this book will be a welcome relief. Many of the patterns are knit using Knit Picks or other well-known, easily accessible, and reasonably priced yarns.

And, if you’ve been wanting to dye your own yarn, Taylor gives instructions on how to dye spiral self-patterning yarn.

The book is filled with beautiful photographs that show off the patterns. And the photos are large enough to actually see the patterns. Where charts are required, they are large, so one can follow them without straining their eyes–or having them enlarged. The patterns are well written and easy to follow. Knitters will quickly see, however, that The Big Book of Socks is a bit different than most sock pattern books. Instead of putting instructions on how to do an afterthought or short row heel, for example, with the pattern, knitters are referred to the appendix, where instructions for heels and toes are grouped. Though it allows space for larger photos and diagrams of the individual patterns, some knitters may find it annoying to have to switch to another section of the book for instructions. And if you’re one of those knitters who likes to photocopy the pattern so you can write notes on it, etc., remember to copy the technique section as well. Once one becomes familiar with the techniques, it may not be a problem.

The cover of The Big Book of Socks says there are “75 original patterns.” That’s a bit misleading. Yes, there are 75 patterns, but the differences between some of them may be something as simple as yarn weight. And really, can a stockinette sock with a ribbed cuff truly be called “original”? Still, this book would be an asset to a sock knitter’s library. I’d venture to guess that most knitters would choose more patterns from this book to knit than from some of the others on the market.