Nov 01, 2021
knitting socks
Let me tell you a little story ...
When I opened the store in 2005, I had never knit a sock, and I didn't stock any sock yarn. This was prior to the massive sock craze that hit the knitting world just a few years later. A customer came in in those first few months and asked to see my sock yarn, and I had no idea what she was talking about. 😆
Fast forward a year, and I was ready to take the plunge. But I had no clue how.
At the time, Cat Bhordi (The Amazing) was making some noise about her new method for knitting on small things in the round without using the dreaded double-pointed needles. Her "Two Circular" trick was instantly alluring to me, and I knew that if I was going down the sock rabbit hole, this would be my method.
Socks quickly became my obsession. I knit socks almost exclusively for a good 12 months. I knit socks for myself until that was all I wore, I knit socks for my husband (who prefers handknit socks over commercial), and I knit socks for just about anyone I could gift them to. I taught socks in the store using the 2 circular method and never looked back, eventually creating 2-circular-specific sock patterns we could use in the store.
When we had to close the store for COVID in 2020, creating an online socks course went on my "to-do" list. Unfortunately, it took a little longer than I anticipated, but it is finally here (click here to sign up now)! Part of creating the course included freshening up my various sock patterns and combining them into one whopper of a "vanilla" sock pattern, which I call Socks on 2 Circulars to the Max (it is included in your course enrollment or can be purchased a-la-carte). This new version gives you everything you need to knit socks in three different weights of yarn (fingering, sport/dk, and worsted) and two sizes (adult medium and adult large).
You can now get started knitting socks just like I did (I will not be held accountable for the resulting obsession, thank you very much). Happy sock knitting!
(You can view some of the socks I've knit over the years over on my Ravelry page)
Sarah
(KACLUB members, be sure to read this week's email or visit our club homepage for your discount codes)
3 comments
Sarah…..Your two needle course was fabulous!!! I was able to knit the best fitting socks I’ve ever knit and I’ll never go back to magic loop. I do have a question I was hoping you could answer. I wanted to knit a thinner gauge sock and I purchased Regia 4-ply sock yarn. I can’t seem to get gauge on a 1, 1.5, 2, 3 or 4 needle……always get too many stitches. What do you suggest I do?
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Knot Another Hat replied:
That’s great to hear, Michele, thank you! The Regia 4-ply should work perfectly for the fingering-weight version of the pattern. The pattern suggests a US 1.5 needle; depending on your knitting tension, you might need anywhere from a US 1 to US 2. Please reply to us at customerservice@knotanotherhat.com with more details about your gauge – how many stitches to the inch you are getting at the different needle sizes – and we can try to troubleshoot more. >
Oh my oh my! You Sarah Keller are the fearless leader of the sock knitting obsessed! I am a grateful member of this club. Such a fabulous instructor. It’s never too late to dip your toes in the sock knitting pool.
Sarah….Socks and I have a very difficult relationship. Fortunately, I live in a warmer climate so my feet are bare in flip flops at least half the year or I wear “Peds.”with slip ons. Socks hate me. I have a heart issue and retain water from time to time. High altitude, humidity and socks that are crew or mid calf cause my legs to swell… I am rather a slender person so weight is not the problem. I have drawers full of socks that are just plain uncomfortable! How should I approach knitting socks, dear one?
I love that you hold Cat Bhordi close to your heart, as do I.
Thank you for listening,
Sharon Peterson