Socks

General Knitting
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Hi there,

I have been thinking to knit socks, and I am wondering if is worth the effort to do it.

what do you all think about hand-knitter sock vs store bought?

Will the hand-knitter last longer than store bought?

What type of yarn is good to use? I want something good for summer/hot weather and doesn’t make your feet smelly. :slightly_smiling_face:

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It’s a very good idea but it comes with a warning. Sock knitting is very adictive! They are an easily portable project, fun to knit and wonderful to wear.
Most sock yarns contain about 20-25% nylon for strength. Wool is good winter and summer because it wicks away moisture. Like any sock hand knits will wear out but I don’t know if they last longer than store bought or not. They certainly feel wonderful to wear.

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I can only speak from my experience. I have a lot of hand knit socks that only ever get worn when it’s very, very cold. I can’t tolerate them in the summer because wool is simply is too hot to wear. I very much enjoyed knitting socks but when I saw how many pairs I have and they’re rarely if ever worn, I quit.

I learned to knit socks and continued to use the knit to fit method of Lifestyle Socks.

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Thanks for the input.

Any recommendations on yarns or brand that you like?

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Turtlepurl yarn has identical self striping sock yarn in some pretty colors if you like stripes. They have started to have them in DK weight and they knit up faster than fingering weight. I have several pairs made from her yarn, they’re very soft and feel nice on the feet.

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I have made several pairs with Hawthorne from KnitPicks (watch for sales!). And lots from Patons Kroy which is a bit thicker. I agree with @GrumpyGramma! I have a small drawer FULL (always using a coat hanger to retrieve the overflow). I may have reached my limit but I’m sure I’ll make more when I run across some yarn I want to try. I prefer dark colors to match my pants rather than the colorful ones, so that’s a limitation, but I have made colorful ones! There’s a sock knitting group on Facebook

Start with https://www.knitfreedom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/KnitFreedom_Pattern_Generic_Toe-UpSocksFleegleHeel_AnyWeightSize_V1.4.pdf

I use the Turkish cast on, Knitgrammer’s rounded toe, and Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off (in pattern). I also like the cuff rib of *K1 through the back loop, P1* around.

Turkish Cast On (Easier than Judy’s Magic Cast On)

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Well, i just love knitting socks and i have a greatgrandson who tells everyone he doesnt have to buy because I keep him supplied and he tells me that my socks are so soft and comfortable. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes::grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes::grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes::grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes::grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

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I haven’t tried knitting them yet, but I have a pair my aunt made for me. I do find them more textured than store bought, which I’m sensitive to, and I’ve worn them a few times and washed them like the usual and they’ve started pilling :thinking: The hot weather came soon after I got them so I can’t speak of a long term use or their durability but I wouldn’t expect them to be as good on that front. On the other hand, since they’re mostly wool, I think they’re warmer. She used a wool specifically made for socks, so I think superwash with some nylon to it…

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I’ve only knit 2 pairs. They were engaging and fun to do, but I don’t find them comfortable. I’ll try again with different yarn and a “princess” sole, which might be more comfy. After I finish 2 shawls and a sweater… :laughing:

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I’ve been knitting socks for years. I started doing it for my husband, but have knit several pair for myself and for friends.

I use Valley yarns Huntington. You can get it in cones or by the hank. The yarn is sturdy superwash Merino with nylon, and the socks last a long time. I knit my socks on size 2 mm needles, so a bit smaller than the recommended needles. It results in a very dense fabric that wear well.

I’ve also used the Kroy sock yarn. As another has commented, this yarn is slightly thicker. The friend I knit these socks for tells me the socks are thicker to the point that she can’t wear them with her shoes. But she now uses them as slippers in the house, so she’s still happy with them.

I believe hand knit socks do wear a bit longer than store bought. I’m still wearing socks I knit at least 10 years ago! And when I notice a thin spot developing, I use a duplicate stitch patch to mend the spot so it doesn’t become a real hole. It only takes a few minutes to stitch over a thin spot or even do a full fledged darning job, so that’s better than spending a couple or 3 weeks knitting a new pair.

I encourage you to have a go at socks. But as Salmonmac has warned you, they can become addictive!

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I hope it works for you! The soles of my feet have gotten quite sensitive in the last some odd years. I tried a princess sole and found it bothered me more for some reason. It seemed to slide around worse and just wasn’t as comfortable. Of late I wear cotton socks when I must wear socks with as little polyester as possible. Polyester is horrible on my feet. In winter I wear slipper socks I’ve knit over thin cotton socks. Warm and comfy on cold floors and the slippers come off easily when they bother me.

ETA how long hand knit socks lasts depends on a number of factors. Tightly spun yarn with nylon holds up well. For me socks knit with Opal yarn wear like iron and I love the yarn for slippers. More loosely spun yarn wears through really fast for me. I will never again use Felici for socks. It’s pretty, feels soft, and the socks got holes so fast I couldn’t believe it. Socks worn indoors can wear out fast if the wearer tends to scuff their feet. Rubbing on carpet or other surfaces really wears them out fast.