A Selection of Socks

 

(self-stripers for Hazel)

 

My name is Jessica and I am a sockaholic.  I knit socks.  I knit so many socks that they run into each other. If everything else fails, there will be a sock on my needles.  One sock done, time for another sock.  I knit them out of handspun:

(handspun bfl nylon socks)

I knit them out of self-striping yarn, workhorse yarn, and fancy hand-dyed yarn. I love knitting socks.

I tried my hand at stranded socks last year, which was a much-needed challenge for myself.  I ended up picking up some interesting skills and tips to impart.  For one, it helped to go up a needle size for the stranding, to give the socks some stretch.  

  

(Socks that make me think of Discworld)

For two, it helps to knit stranded socks from the wrong way, that is, orienting the sock so the floats go around the outside and it looks like you're knitting them inside out.  This gives the floats a lot more room, again, to give the socks stretch.

(pictured: what the heck I'm talking about)

Mostly I knit vanilla socks.  Vanilla meaning plain.  I never thought I would knit as many vanilla socks as I do.  I turned that corner a few years ago when I learned to read while knitting, and now that I don't really do that much anymore (not for lack of good knitting or good books, I've just been watching shows and knitting podcasts on youtube instead) the love of vanilla socks remains.

 

 (socks that make me think of Star Trek Deep Space Nine)

I have a recipe for socks and it's a great comfort to not have to think about how many stitches to cast on and on what needle (always 64 stitches on 2.0mm needles), how long to make the cuff (always 6"), what heel to do (heel flap and gusset), how long to make the foot before the usual toe (7.5").  It's always the same, and it is always a fantastic fit.

 (Socks out of yarn I dyed myself last spring)

I knit for others of course.  Mostly the kids.  Although they've worn through a few pairs of socks, they love getting them, so I'll keep knitting them for them.

 

(self-striping yarn I spun for the Tour de Fleece 2019. These went to Toby) 

 (a pair of sparkly socks I knit for Hazel this summer)

Early in the spring I knit a pair of paint pan socks for a friend who likes to do water color painting.  They were so much fun to knit, they were well received, and I really enjoyed making them.

If you have any questions about any of this, please comment! I'm an open book about socks!

 

ETA: I forgot to add my poem I wrote a very long time ago:

 

 

I'm afraid to wear my hand knitted socks: a Poem

 

I'm afraid to wear my hand knitted socks.

For all of my effort and time would be lost

if wearing these items, hand-crafted of wool

developed in the heel an unfortunate hole!

The foot is a place undeserving of knits

that are tirelessly toiled in hopes that it fits.

The foot is a place where rotten things grow;

where odors and fungi and nails make a foe

of simple knits and purls, straight in a line,

of complex cables and lace motifs, simply divine.

The needles, they beckon, four maybe five.

The pull is something I cannot survive!
The yarn, it is calling, merino and silk!
My friends, the patterns, the blood of my ilk!

So I cast on a pair, I give in to the pleasure.
I knit a few rows and don't stop to measure.
If callouses wear and toe nails do slice
The wonder of knitting is well worth the price.