sock knitting
I remember over 4 years ago having a knitting lesson at the Shack on socks. The teacher used Addi Turbo DPN’s and they terrified the crap out of me. Literally. They were slippery and silver and tiny. It was the first time I came away from a lesson disturbed and frustrated and was all “stupid sock knitting, why would you want to do that, it sucks, hate it”……
Come to 2005/2006 and I’m all about the sock knitting. When this came out at Knitty yesterday I was actually emailing friends EXCITED. Sock geek.
The above lessons was on DPN’s and I think that’s where the problem was for me. I just don’t do DPN’s. Other’s swear by them, but I just can’t do it. So it was straight to 2 circular’s for me and I haven’t looked back. Thanks to Cat Bordhi’s excellent book Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles. An excellent starting point.
Misocrafty has an excellent resources page
I’m about to try out Joelene’s turkish caston for 2 at once using the magic loop. Why’s it called the magic loop? It should be renamed “the surprisingly friggin easy loop”.
Handpainted Yarn
- Blue Moon Fibre Arts - SOCKS THAT ROCK!!! A current favourite.
- Cherry Tree Hill
- Fleece Artist
- I reckon cashmere socks would be divine, HipKnits offer a cashmere sock yarn. Decadent.
- The Knittery
- Knit Picks and dye your own (don’t ship internationally, very disappointing for those of us across the pond)
- Lorna’s Laces
- Sophies Toes
- Sweet Georgia Yarns - a new find via Knitty
- Vesper Sock Yarn
I’m not a fan of the self patterning, but for those that are here’s a couple:
- Lang Yarns, Jawoll
- Opal and I believe they’re now offering a handpaint…
For you Aussies that want to buy locally your own to handpaint Live 2 Knit is now offering undyed yarn
Needles
- Knitter’s Review
- Grumperina weighs in
Patterns
Well there are tonnes and tonnes of patterns.
- I’m loving My Fashionable Life’s Elfine Pattern, that’s next up for me I think.
- The latest knitty has some excellent patterns and don’t forget to check the archives.
- Knitters Anonymous.
- Magknits.
- Staggered rib pattern for 2 circular’s
- Sockbug, patterns and instructions
- Wendy Knits
- More here
Then there’s Alison’s famous Sockapalooza, how nice (and terrifying for me!) to knit someone some socks and have the favour returned.
I’m no expert and I know there’s a load of you sock knitters out there, please leave comments, opinions, links to your favourite sock yarn’s and any other socky stuff.
August 10th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
Thanks for putting all the sock links and info in one place.
August 10th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
Thank you for a great collection of links. Here are a couple more: Handpainted yarns at Sundara Yarns, http://www.sundarayarn.typepad.com/,
and lovely sock patterns at http://www.craftoholic.blogspot.com
August 10th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Thanks for linking to the knitting needle reviews!
August 10th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
this is a great resource, thanks! I also had the “why bother with socks” attitude but now became a socks addict… just all that fantastic yarn is enough to convert you…
:-)
August 10th, 2006 at 6:35 pm
I ship internationally!
http://www.scoutsswag.com
Here are a few more:
http://www.cabincovemercantile.com/
http://www.mamaespot.com/eshop/
http://www.helloyarn.com/shop.php
http://www.pippikneesocks.com/page-main/ctg-26/hand-painted-yarn.html
And there are so many more too!
August 10th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
I also love Koigu yarn for socks (KPPPM, or the solid colors). Artyarns Ultramerino 4 makes wonderful, warm, soft socks, but since it is 100% merino, and not too tightly spun, it does not last like a sock yarn with some synthetic fiber, like nylon. But, oh-so buttery soft :)
August 10th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
Thanks for the great post! I just cast on for the Elfine socks in my first attempt at magic loop. I’m so excited! And two at once using magic loop–amazing.
August 10th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Great post, I looove socks to, a lot! Easy and small to bring along anywhere. I only wish handpainted yarn was cheaper! :-)
I love stripes, in all kinds, but would love to try to knit some socks with different colours (not selfstryping) some time. Yet to come!
August 10th, 2006 at 11:20 pm
mmmmmm. socks. I’m hooked too. Although I’ve heard some negatives about Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn. I love Socks That Rock.
mmmmm sock yarn.
August 10th, 2006 at 11:29 pm
Regarding the negative about CTH… it was Jane from Yarnstorm who had a big problem. Of course it’s a personal choice, but myself, I don’t want to support a business that is apparently oblivious to the community that supports it.
http://yarnstorm.blogs.com/knitblog/2006/01/squishy_lemon_c.html
I’m not trying to start a yarn battle. It’s just information, do with it what you will. :)
August 11th, 2006 at 7:08 am
Where did you get that cool rabbit target practice thing? I would love to check those out. Thanks!
August 11th, 2006 at 9:57 am
Hey - thanks for all the comments and links…I included CTH as that was one blogger’s experience.
Jennie - that piece of art is by extremely talented, Lisa Solomon. http://www.monkeybrains.net/~dietrich/musings/
April 13th, 2007 at 1:04 am
I just love knitting socks on 2 circular needles it is a dream come true. I learned to knit at 10 by knitting socks on DP needles. But I also so the book for knitting with the 2 circular needles, It leaves smooth stitches between needles where Dp can leave a gap. Love your blog.