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Sock knitting

Updated: Feb 14, 2022

I have just launched a pair of shortie socks, the Flora Socks, and it got me thinking about my love for knitting socks, and when it all began...





Back in 2004, when I was learning to knit all sorts of things, I tried for the first time. I used a free pattern, a very good one from Knitty.com. I can't remember what the name of the pattern was... but I achieved something that looked pretty much like a sock, even though I had no idea what I was doing for most of the instructions.


Unfortunately, I didn't have good materials available where I live, so I had to use the only set of double pointed needles I found (cheap and plastic, not very pleasant). To make things worse, I had no idea how different types of yarns could behave, so I bought a beautiful and colorful hank of single ply acrylic yarn that looked similar to the socks in the photograph.


Bad idea! I had a terrible time trying to move the yarn on those needles (my hands still remember that experience) and the socks were too big and stretched out. It was a huge lesson when learning to knit. From then on, I understood the materials would have a great role in the outcome of the project. Not just for socks.




Knitting materials don't have to be expensive. There were other yarns in my country that are affordable (and with acrylic content, I don't have anything against it) that would hav made a much better pair of socks: Plied yarns, and the right needle size for the yarn weight (socks need to be knitted at a tight gauge).


I can proudly say that I have knitted pairs of socks for almost everyone I love in all these years since then. I have made acrylic and cashmere/merino ones. I've made thick ones in worsted weight and super light ones that take forever.


There is hardly anything that I enjoy more than knitting socks and giving them away. Socks are a small project, you can carry them with you always. You can make them simple, if you just want to pass the time and do something with your hands, but you can also make them complex and have a real challenge while knitting them. You can experiment with a new technique you've been dreaming of learning (think brioche, mosaic knitting or color-work socks). They are affordable, you can find so many budget friendly yarns to make a good pair of socks. And most importantly, EVERYONE loves a good pair of hand-knit socks! So if they don't fit the intended recipient, there will always be someone who fits those socks.




Today's pattern is for a pair of shortie socks, with lace and cable details on thee cuff. They are worked from the top down, with a heel flap and gusset.


Flora Socks
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Materials:

1 skein of Sock Lite by Olann or approx. 280 (300, 340) yd 255 (275, 310) m of fingering weight yarn (shown in colorway Field).

The red socks were made using Sock by Suburban Stitcher in colorway Red Hot.

Needles: US 1 (2.25mm) dpns or long circular needles for magic loop.

Other notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle.





If you feel inspired to try some other of my sock patterns, here are a few you can find on my website.

Simple Cozy Socks
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Dreaming of Paris
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Curiosity and Opportunity Socks
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Do you have a preferred method for knitting socks? I am always interested in learning what you'd like to see in my patterns. Leave me a comment?


Joji






19 Comments


Якщо маркування Bench незнайоме, переводити його по пам’яті з EU в US чи навпаки не дуже надійно. Простіше одразу перейти до https://zastibka.com.ua/brendy/bench/, знайти свій діапазон у сантиметрах і вже після цього дивитися, яка цифра або літера йому відповідає.


У практичному плані я б звернув увагу на таку річ: для худі, курток і брюк враховувати крій та шар одягу під низом, а не просто брати більший розмір. Відгуки корисні, коли вони описують конкретну модель — наприклад, вузьку колодку чи дуже вільний крій. Але як універсальна заміна таблиці вони працюють погано. Це зменшує шанс помилитися навіть тоді, коли різні магазини показують розміри в різних системах.


Застібка в цьому випадку працює саме як довідкова сторінка, а не як порада щось купувати. Після звірки…

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xin wang
xin wang
Jul 24

Who knew bad yarn could ruin everything back in 2004? It’s wild how much better things are now with the Flora Socks. Honestly, just like creating a crisp square profile picture for your avatar square image, picking the right materials makes all the difference in the final look!

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xin wang
xin wang
Jul 24

Reading about Joji's struggle with single ply yarn and plastic needles in 2004 really resonates. It’s a great reminder that materials matter, much like how this tool helps you plan your youtube playlist time calculator schedule for daily viewing.

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Big Bro
Big Bro
Jul 23

I remember my first sock attempt too—struggling through the heel turn was a rite of passage! For organizing your knitting project photos (like progress shots of those Flora Socks), an Image Splitter can help create neat Instagram grids or collages to share your work.

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xin wang
xin wang
Jul 11

Really enjoyed reading "Sock knitting", and the examples made the message feel very concrete. Appreciate you publishing this. escape tsunami for brainrots codes

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© 2024 Joji Locatelli

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