The Joy of Socks

arne-carlos-sock-knitting

Confession time; I am not much of a sock knitter. What is the obsession? Perhaps I am too precious about my knitting to contemplate the wear and tear rubbing away at my handiwork. Before sock yarns were developed and got all creative, I believed that my socks would be all baggy and uncomfortable. Anyway I had plenty designs/commissions and woolly adventures that I had no need to turn my head to the sock world.

arne-carlos-sock-knitting

Well in the Autumn my friends at Black Sheep Wools invited me to join the Arne and Carlos Sock workshop. They were teaching how to make socks from the toe up using their easy Norwegian pattern. Both chaps are great value and enormously entertaining. I was happy to get involved.

arne-carlos-sock-knitting

arne-carlos-sock-knitting

I was lucky enough to sit in between my bloggy friends, Lynne Rowe and sock maker extraordinaire, Christine aka Winwick Mum. We were very happy to chat and make together. Although Lynne and I found it incomprehensible that Christine would join any sock workshop – she is an expert in her own right.

arne-carlos-sock-knitting

Mini-sock

Our task all day was to make a little mini-sock, using all the techniques you would need to make an adult version. I wrestled rather ineptly with my four double pointed needs. Others turned to their tried and trusted ‘magic loop’ technique. We giggled, shared stories and caught up whilst the needles clattered away. You will know from my previous blog posts, I love Arne and Carlos. They are great fun to learn from and I think their ‘toe-up’ method of sock knitting makes utter sense if you are trying to get your sock to fit your foot without taking many measurements.

arne-carlos-sock-knitting

In the afternoon I made a start on my first full size sock and I was impressed with how quickly the work grew. By the end of the next day I had finished my sock 1. B adopted it immediately and declared it very cosy. Good news. That was in November, Christmas was looming and the sock yarn and the needles were set aside. Weeks past.

arne-carlos-sock-knitting

The second sock

Well my friends I am not comfortable with many languishing WIP’s, that does not make me very happy. So last week I was determined to finish my next sock. After a little bit of research, I made a decision to invest in a small circular needle. What a boon! The knitting grew like topsy. I was delighted. So the pair are completed and lie abandoned on the floor of a boy’s bedroom.

arne-carlos-sock-knitting

I believe that the short circular needle is my way forward. But I also think I need to invest in Christine’s book Super Socks. Christine is so enthusiastic and has a passion to teach people how to make your own sock is infectious. I need to expand my technical knowledge. I have in my mind the idea of making my Dad a pair. He is a great believer in the benefits of a bed sock. However he is super stylish and not a man who would wear a crazy variegated tone, in bed or out and about.

arne-carlos-sock-knitting

If any of you have some good suggestions of a sock yarn that would suit a dapper chap, please do point me in the right direction.

10 thoughts on “The Joy of Socks”

  1. Wollemeise If you can get it. She’s in Bavaria. I made some for my dad with her Spice Market color (browns with a little turmeric color here and there).

  2. Meryl Brockway

    Lovely article Emma,I love your socks. Would love to have a go myself and wondered if you could recommend a pattern to use. I have my short circular needles at the ready. Thanks

  3. Check out regia pairfect. The colours are demure (!) And quite manly, but still interesting to knit. Best of al they are designed to give you a matching pair despite colour changes and stripes. I am a beginner sock knitter, and have been happiest with my ‘pairfect’ pair

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  5. Dianne Murphy-Rodgers

    So glad you enjoyed your venture into the world of sock knitting and what lovely socks. I knitted a pair on normal needles for my brother at Christmas on two needles,which I hadn’t realised was even possible. There are some wonderfully unusual patterns in a book my mum has just leant me, called Socks Socks Socks edited by Elaine Rowley. (70th patterns from the Knitters magazine competition.) Will worth trying if you feel like knitting some more!

  6. com it’s pretty simple: “How to Do the Sock Bun? Prepare the sock: steal one from your boyfriend or dad and cut the toe part off the sock. You need a sock with a tight band for a better hold of the updo. Roll the sock down to make a donut.

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