For many people, socks are the go to project. For others, socks are too scary- the yarn too fine, turning the heel seems a mystery and the whole process a little daunting. But socks really are one of the simpler things to knit, Because they are knit in the round there is a lot knitting and not very much purling.
Another excuse non-sock knitters have is that they can’t wear wool or the person doesn’t want to have to lay the socks flat to let them dry. There are quite a few non-wool options for sock knitters. Berroco carries a yarn called Comfort Sock which is a 50% acrylic, 50% nylon combination and come in self-striping, self-patterning and plain colours. Plymouth has a yarn called Diversity which stripes in long colour runs which is 93% acrylic and 7% elasthane which is a stretchy fibre. If you come into the store I have a shawl called wingspan knit in the Diversity ( sock yarn doesn’t have to be used just for socks). Wisdom yarns has just come out with a new non-wool sock yarn called Naked Sock which is 93% acrylic and 7 % PBT ( a multi-filament yarn designed for applications that require excellent stretch and recovery properties). All of these sock yarns can be machine washed and dried.
Sock yarn comes in all kinds of great colour combinations that you don’t find in other gauge yarns. There are self-striping yarns, self-patterning yarns, marls, and heathers as well as plain colours. There is everything from the Nova Sock Plus line which is $8.99 for a 100 gm ball ( which makes a pair of socks ) all the way up to the hand dyed merino and silk or merino and cashmere sock lines which are worth the splurge, as well as lots of options in between.
When you are travelling, sock yarn is a great souvenir to pick up. You only need one ball to make a pair of socks or a shawl and it is small enough to squish into your suitcase or you can always pull the needles out as you travel and knit it up right away. That solves two problems – what to do when you have all that waiting in airports, train stations or in the car ( when someone else is driving) and not having to worry about whether your souvenir will fit in your suitcase. Another added benefit is getting to go to a yarn store.
When you need a colour fix, sock yarn is defiinitely the way to go. Plymouth has a sock yarn out now called Neon Now which is combinations of neon orange, pink, green and yellow. If you want a crazy pair of socks, this is the yarn. Brightly coloured and funky patterned socks are in fashion right now especially for men under a suit. You can find sock yarn in just about any colour and combination of colours.
For those who think that socks are too hard, sign up for our sock class and we will teach how to knit socks. All you have to be able to do is knit, purl, cast on and cast off. Classes run for four weeks and at the end of the four weeks you will have a fingering weight sock completed if you you do your weekly homework. Many get both socks done as they find the process quite relaxing.
Socks are small enough to have in a bag that you can take anywhere with you and most of the sock is plain knitting so you can pick it up and put it down without worrying where you are in the pattern. If you want to try out new a new stitch, a sock is a great place to try it without having to commit to a big project such as a sweater.
So for those of you who haven’t tried sock knitting yet, come in and get a ball of sock yarn and give it a try. You’ll like it!
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