Sock knitting has been popular for a long time. Socks make for small, manageable, and very portable projects. Many knitters carry a sock project in their purse just in case they get stuck in traffic or have to wait in line at the DMV. I remember traveling with socks after the terror attacks in 2001 when knitting needles were declared dangerous and often confiscated at airports. Nobody knew what bamboo double points were for and I never had problems getting them through security. On planes I had many fellow travelers looking at me enviously as they sat there empty handed. During one flight in Turkey a flight attendant insisted that I put my sock project away claiming it was dangerous. Unfortunately, my Turkish wasn’t sufficient (make that non-existent) to explain that a knitter is only dangerous if one takes her needles away. I bet that person was jealous, seeing me contently knitting while she had to work.

A well worn pair of socks knitted in Opal sock yarn

Socks are very satisfying to knit. Nothing is more wearable and useful than a pair of socks. To this day, after knitting dozens of pairs, I still marvel at the beauty of a turned heel. (Turning the heel is knit-speak; when one knits the heel, one literally knits a corner. This corner connects the leg portion to the foot part and thus creates a sock.)

What is Sock Yarn?

Knitting socks, of course, starts with yarn. In this case: sock yarn. The term “sock yarn” has several meanings. For once it denotes a certain thickness: sock yarn and fingering weight are often used interchangeably. But it is also used to classify yarns that are sturdy, durable and machine washable, which are all qualities desired for socks.

Knitting socks requires skill, time, and effort and since socks are heavy-use items, it is very important to use the right yarn. I know from own experience how disappointing it is to wear out socks after minimal use because of too-soft yarn. My favorite yarns are Opal, Regia, or any other yarns containing 75% wool and 25% polyamide. Yes, for socks commercially produced yarns are best. The high wool content provides warmth while the synthetic adds elasticity and durability. Usually such yarns are machine washable.

Self-patterning Magic

Commercial manufacturers like Opal have mastered the art of self-striping yarns. The yarns are dyed to form highly intricate jacquard and stripe patterns. As a knitter, all I have to do to cast on, knit, and let the magic happen. What fun! And since the yarn is doing all the work, there is no need to use any fancy stitch pattern – it would just get lost in the colors. So any plain sock pattern will do.

Patterns & Needles

My favorite pattern is by Lana Grossa and can be found here. I love the “Yo-Yo Heel” pattern and have been using it for 20 years. I prefer it since it is adaptable to any size and any thickness of yarn; it always works and makes for a perfect fit. But there are many, many sock patterns available; several can be found in my friend Hilary Latimer’s book As the Heel Turns: Taking the Drama out of Knitting Socks .

So, we have yarn and a pattern. Now we need needles and we are ready to cast on. I am using wooden double-pointed needles (DPN) by Addi . Some knitters prefer to knit with two circular needles while others love the magic-loop method. Different people have different methods and there are many brands available. I have tried them all and am sticking with my Addi double points. Actually, I am using two sets of DPNs since I am knitting both socks parallel.

A Pair at a Time

Working on both socks side by side has two advantages: First, it avoids second-sock syndrome. There are hundreds (thousands?) of single socks lingering in knitting bags waiting for their second mate to be finished -- many of whom will remain orphans forever. Poor socks! Secondly, knitting both socks at the same time ensures that they will be sized equally, which is important since socks should fit well if they are to be worn and enjoyed.

Some clever people have devised methods to knit two socks simultaneously side-by-side on circular needles. I have tried it but found it too confusing, hence my low-tech idea to use a second set of double-pointed needles and to knit both socks parallel. It works for me!

Knitting Love

Knitting is a solitary activity and many of us knitters are happy when we can sit quietly and knit. Yet, the greatest joy of knitting is knitting for somebody else, somebody who appreciates the work and effort we put into a pair of knitted socks. Paraphrasing writer Alanna Okun who summed it up perfectly: “When you knit for somebody you love, every stitch becomes a kiss.”

My love, here are your socks. Think of me when you wear them.

P.S. Just as I was about to publish this post, a friend of mine shared this story with me. Enjoy!

St Andrews University, Scotland:
I was asked to send a couple of students to speak to the Women’s Institute of Pittenweem (a small fishing village near St Andrews). I was president of the United Nations Student Association, and I naturally thought about intelligent international women to send them. I found a Kenyan Asian student and a Latin American woman to speak to the Pittenweem WI. Each spoke for half an hour about their country, trying to explain the role of international relations in the development of their country. At the end, there was an invitation to ask questions.

One of the older ladies lowered her knitting needles and asked: “Do they knit socks in Kenya?”

When they reported back, the Kenyan student made me promise that I would never ever ask her to speak to a women’s group again in Fife.