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Making It: My First Sock
Socks are my Achilles heel. The pun is very much intended.
I have avoided socks for much of my stitching life. The idea of turning a heel or Kitchener causes my face to contort into a most unpleasant position.
Then there’s the end result. After all of that effort, it is … a sock. Something that will never inspire the question “Did you make that?” which, let’s face it, is one of my favorite parts of making handmade items in the first place.
With this information running through the back of my brain, I met Fatimah Hinds. She was fresh off the heels (pun very much intended) of MDK Field Guide No. 27: Sock Odyssey.
We were both teaching Shakerag workshops along with Lorilee Beltman and Nell Ziroli. I found myself on the bus ride from Nashville to Sewanee with two of the best sock designers in our community—both of whom were casting on socks.
I should admit something: I have never actually made a proper sock. I used to make toe-up slipper socks with a size 17 needle, which only took about an hour to stitch. But a proper sock that can be worn in public? Never.
Despite my prejudices, I could feel the bud of curiosity blooming with every stitch I watched them make.
One day in between classes, I plopped down in a field. I was soon joined by Fatimah, sock in hand.
I was surprised to see she had already made it past the heel after only a day or two of stitching and I couldn’t stop admiring the cables.
Suddenly, I heard myself saying “I wish I liked making socks.” My inner monologue had made its way out of my head.
With no judgment she simply tilted her head and replied, “Why don’t you like making socks?”
My dread of making a sock had never been questioned before that moment. The last time I had even attempted it I was much more of a beginner knitter than I am today.
Did I not like making socks? Or had I written them off because I deemed them to be too much of a challenge? I realized I didn’t have an answer.
That thought rattled around in my brain until the end of the trip. We stopped by the MDK offices and right in the front was a table full of the yarns used to make Fatimah’s patterns.
I locked eyes with a buttery yellow speckle yarn and a neon pink solid from Serendipitous Wool and that’s when it happened. I decided to give socks a second chance.
Despite this breakthrough, the yarn sat in my stash for another few months. But one rainy afternoon I found it again and could no longer think of an excuse to not give it a try.
It turns out that the first stitch is the hardest part. I make sleeves all the time. Why had a sock felt so monumental?
Then there was the dreaded Kitchener or grafting stitch.
Knitwise take off the needle, purlwise leave on, purlwise take off the needle, knitwise leave on. My movie, which was blasting in the background, pulled my attention for half a second and I lost my place. Knitwise leave on the needle … wait that wasn’t right. Where was I again?
Somehow stumbled my way through and before I knew it I was weaving in my ends, sliding it on my foot—only to discover it didn’t fit. I had missed a key note to subtract 2” from my foot measurement.
But the pride I felt for my misshapen sock was immense. I immediately jumped on my bed, threw my foot in the air and sent a picture to Fatimah … and almost instantly regretted it because sending someone an unwanted foot picture is not recommended.
But before I could delete it she matched my excitement: “IT’S ON YOUR FOOT!”
It took me another two months to frog it. That lumpy sock had meant so much to me but once I got a taste of the accomplishment, I had to see it through.
Take two was even easier than take one. This time I decided to tackle grafting head-on. My apartment was silent (except for my muttering) as I said the steps out loud.
The thing about Kitchener is that it forces you to remain present. You have to stay in the moment and focus on the task.
Sliding it on my foot into the finished project I finally understood the appeal of socks. They are one of the only stitched items you truly make for yourself. Few people will know that you are wearing them—but you will.
I’m thrilled to cross “make a sock” off of my list. I see many more sock projects afoot in my future. The pun is very much intended.
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one day you say to yourself “I’ll never manage to make a pair of socks” then you start knitting a sock, finish a sock then finish the second one, discover you love making them and that sock knitting is a perfect waiting room/sports event/travel project and before you know it there are so many finished sock projects on your Ravelry page that you lose count around 112 pairs!
well done!
Wow, well done! When an eye for color, great quality materials, a fabulous pattern, quiet Kitchener worthy moments, and the will to persevere come together, the result is happy feet! Fun read where the name for Kitchener stitch came from per google btw..
Charming writing all about socks and joy, which I deeply appreciate, but…..the wallpaper!!!! May I ask about the pattern and the manufacturer? I. Am. Smitten!
Love making socks. You knit for a bit of cuff, then it changes to the leg then it changes to the heel, then changes to the foot then the toe and then graft where as a sweater takes much longer for a change in stitching which might only be a decrease. Yes cables help but still….
Socks hold my interest much longer and are done much quicker! And lovely sock yarn doesn’t cost as much as lovely yarn to complete a sweater.
People just like what they like?
Lol! Phrase of the day for me is very OBVIOUSLY going to be “pun very much intended”! Not only did it appear here in Samantha’s piece 3 times (or was it 4? And… so did Kay & Ann! Hi you 2!) but it was also the closing of a quote in Heather Cox Richardson’s “Letter from an American” this morning (stop#1 in my morning breakfast routine jusssst ahead of my daily dose of MDK!).
Last words our of Letters… “Pun very much intended”
opening salvo in MDK… “Pun very much intended”
LOLOLOL!
Congratulations! I just made my first sock too! A bit big in the foot but perfect for sitting at my desk in the winter. Now to make the second one and then take the plunge into Fatimah’s and MDK’s Sock Odyssey!
I have avoided socks because of the heels, not Kitchener stitch. Raced through your article looking for a magic hint on heels, but no such luck. Glad you conquered socks, I’m still waiting
There are a ton of different heel styles. I have not figured out the heel flap and gusset that most seem to do but I have figured out the short row heel – found the pattern in a friend’s book that encouraged mixing and matching cuffs, legs, heels, toes, etc on socks. The Crazy Sock Lady has YouTube videos on all things socks – look her up if you’re curious.
Cathy, Another MDK designer, Arne & Carlos, have The Easiest Sock in the world, and other sock patterns on their website and videos to assist on their YT channel. Here’s to your sock journey!!
The easiest heel I’ve come across to knit the shadow wrapped heel. It’s my favorite heel right now the one that fits me the best. Earth Tones Girl has a very detailed You Tube tutorial on how to do that heel.
Cathy, I believe in you. Just set a little time aside and follow the directions. It may seem weird as you go but just carry on. And suddenly, like magic, it’s a heel. After many years of sock knitting, I still get a thrill out of it!
Thank you for the vote of confidence. Thinking of making larger gauge socks as a test.
Look up “Fish Lips Kiss Heel” the pattern is (used to be, anyway) just $1 and it changed my sock knitting life!
I do toe up, but I think it also works for cuff down.
Love it! I feel the same way, but yet find myself still purchasing skeins and kits specifically designed for socks. Thanks for the push I needed to just jump in and cast on.
When I graft sock toes, I pivot the tapestry needle from the front/knitwise/off into the front/purlwise/on, and only then pull it through. That shows me that I have finished that side. Same for the back/purlwise/off (pivot) back/knitwise/on (pull through). When I am inevitably distracted, the location of the sewing yarn informs where I go next.
I too love this way to graft
EXACTLY!!!!! The working yarn is always attached to a finished side, so no confusion about where to go next. The few times I’ve taught anyone to graft I insist they do it that way so they don’t end up handing it back to me and saying they don’t know how to fix it.
That’s a great tip, thanks for sharing it! I always get distracted at some point when grafting the toe and Kitchener stitch is the devil to pick out…
Thanx for sharing! I’m making socks as we speak. I use the Red Cross pattern given out with free needles and yarn during World War 2 to make socks for service men and women on the front. Only I don’t need the pattern anymore, it’s in my head.
Love this, and love the reference to the Frances books!!
My biggest issue with making socks is getting the fit right. They’ve mostly been too loose, even though I’ve done a gauge swatch. Still wearable, though. I am currently knitting the knee high socks from the field guide. I’m glad they are toe up, because when I knit the toe and a few inches of the foot I was able to try it on and realize once again they’d be too loose. So I fogged and restarted using the smallest size, and voila! They fit. I think toe up works better form me!
Twice Sheared Sheep has a sock ruler that’s transformed my socks! You measure from the heel to the toe (or vice versa) to match your shoe size; the 2 inches automatically figured. Genius!
I made a couple of pairs of bulky boot socks many years ago. Then I made a few pairs of very plain looking socks……not much sock yarn to choose from in those years. Flash forward to retirement and a move to a new town, and my first new friend was a knitting buddy who was working on some socks. It seemed like a good idea, sock yarn was starting to appear everywhere, there were new yarn shops to visit (and I had to buy yarn from them because they were all so nice and I wanted to support these wonderful stores and I knew how much yarn to buy….only one skein!) And the obsession started. Here I am with three drawers of wonderful socks! My thanks for patterns go to Ann Budd, Charlene Schurch, Nancy Bush, Cookie A, amd many others. And now I can add MDK’s Field Guide to the list of favorites.
I wear a lot of hand knit socks. I love making them, but they’re rarely my main project. Every once in a while someone goes “I love your socks!” And I get to respond with “thanks! I made them!”
While I have made a few socks…very few, I had the same attitudes about making them, Samantha. But, you had me at “I make sleeves all the time. Why had a sock felt so monumental?”
Duh, headslap! But, it’s true, socks are not sexy, noticeable, lotsa fussy details, teeny needles. But as you say, it’s been a long time since I made a first accidental bedsock. Sweaters, handspun, cables, shortrows, colorwork and steeking have been accomplished, occasionally all in the same sweater! What was I afraid of? Plus, useful and small for travel. Fun yarns. Maybe I should try again. Thanks!
I made my first pair of Sox about 60 years ago because I wanted the challenge of wearing handmade Sox. I wear nothing but handmade Sox to this day. I was so pleased to find a toe up pattern, because I didn’t like kitchener stitch. I make several pairs a year for myself and friends to keep warm feet in the winter.
I love making socks. You will also be surprised how many people when they see them will ask”did you knit those”. I have one friend that now says, don’t tell me you knit those. As to why, you get a pair unique to you, not one pair of thousands that e ripen else has. Just finished my first pair of knee socks. Can’t wait to wear them this winter.
When I encounter someone with a ‘fear of socks’ I suggest that they try making a simple basic Christmas stocking. There’s only one to make so no second sock syndrome, it uses bigger yarn so they can see/understand the magic as it’s happening, no need to fit a foot, no fancy or textured stitching required, and they learn basic sock construction. Plus, they can use the Christmas stocking as a reference when making their first pair of socks! Multiple wins!
After several failed attempts at socks we moved to a house with a fireplace. Making Christmas stockings demystified the process of sock knitting – I felt like an expert after stocking #4.
When I decided this year to knit socks I only had to experiment with what size needle would give me a good fabric – the first pair will fit someone! Now I’m experimenting with stitch counts to refine the fit of both DK and fingering weight socks for me and my husband.
We lost my little brother a few months ago and one of my biggest regrets was that I never knit him the pair of socks I promised. He would have so loved them. I, too, am daunted about knitting socks. I kept thinking I had more time. I am learning that this is such a fallacy. If you want to do something, even if it’s just knit a pair of socks, just do it.
The mnemonic that finally helped me conquer the Kitchener is this:
Purple Knickers (for the set up), then King Philip’s Purple Knickers over and over
I suffer from SSS — second sock syndrome. I dread doing it again. A woman I met in my former LYS in Rockford, IL, years ago shifted my thinking. She was knitting a sock. I confessed my affliction and she said “Me, too! I have a drawer full of single socks & I wear them under boots!” I don’t yet have a drawer full but this has completely freed my mind when it comes to socks! Now I promote SINGLE sock syndrome!
I do as well! So, I make both at the same time!
I have the yarn, the pattern, the needles……and now the inspiration! I’ll cast on tomorrow…..or the next day….or soon, I promise!
Oh Samantha! I paused at that same table at MDK and chose those same colors….but….I am starting with a self striping before I plunge after you and Fatimah. Fatimah just has a way with questions….and you with your writing…that makes me want to be brave. You both knock my socks off! (pun intended)
Congratulations! Socks are my absolute favorite thing to knit. It might be a humble item to wear, but gift a pair and the receiver will be amazed that you made them yourself. Very “feel good.”
Delightful story, Samantha, and I’m happy that your socks are such a success. Mine, not so much. Determined, I started and finished a pair. Followed the instructions for the heels stitch by tiny stitch and ended up with — two heels. Ditto two toes. I was not impressed. (I already knew how to Kitchener.) The socks fit well enough and are definitely wearable. But after that first pair, I knew I never wanted to make another. They’re just not my thing. But hey, I tried. And now, having tried, I love feeling free to knit so many other wonderful things.
I always get comments about my colorful socks, even though I only make shorties! The worst part of socks making is the leg; it takes forever before the fun part (or takes forever after the fun part). Toe up, I have problems with the bind-off. Congratulations on completing your first pair of warm beauties. Your feet will thank you.
Sock knitting can become addictive. I never knit socks but recently bought Summer Lee’s book The Sock Project — mostly because I loved the colors. Now I have knit twelve pairs of socks, for me, for my cousins, for my niece. I can’t stop. I’m so happy I bought that book!
I knitted. Flat things. Washcloths. Dishrags. Visited a good friend who spent her rare spare time knitting socks. Socks for the kids. Socks for her. Socks for her husband. I want to try that, I said.
Fast forward twenty years and I gave it a go. The first pair was uneven and unmeasured. The second pair went better. Enough to buy proper sock yarn.
Now the drawers are full of socks. Some are self-striping, some are placed together out of scrap yarn. Some have coordinating bands and toes. Some have contrasting heels. It’s a riot of color and fun. Wish I had started twenty years sooner. Think how many I’d have now.
Thinking I might have get the sock field guide!
Awesome!! That’s a beautiful sock – may it be the first of many more to come 🙂 Socks are my very favorite – I don’t need a pattern, they go anywhere, and they only take one skein. And they make my husband really happy (knitting for size 13 feet is…dedication). Win win win! Enjoy yours!
The main reason I haven’t made socks is because I have size 11.5 wide feet. I’d definitely need more than one skein of sick yarn for a pair. On the other foot, I make shawls all the time using on average 4 skeins of sock yarn. Why did I never think of it that way? I do have 3 shawls to finish hopefully by the end of the year before starting anything else, though.
This really spoke to me. I never wanted to knit socks, didn’t see the point. But I’ve seen a lot of beautiful patterns here and elsewhere. Then a friend from work took a sock class, and brought them in to show me, and now I want to knit socks. Probably come January, or maybe late December, as I have some gift knitting and a Crowberry to finish first.
When I get to the toe I put the stiches on a piece of string, turn the sock inside out, put the stiches on two needles and do a three-needle bind-off using three small dpns. A bit fiddley, but easier for me than Kitchener. My .02.
Samantha I have been knitting socks for many years and I must say people will see my socks sticking out of my boot and they always ask if I made them so I think you will find people will comment and you won’t be the only one that knows
Congratulations! You’ve now a member of the sock knitting club. I love knitting socks and now my husband loves them too. They keep his toes toasty when going to sleep. The project really doesn’t take that long and it’s portable. So many yarns to choose from.
I adore making socks! So many color choices, patterns and ways to work the different segments such as heels and toes. The Kitchener stitch is only one way to finish a cuff down sock. I found the Round and Star toe in More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch which uses decreases evenly spaced until only 2 stitches remain. The remain stitches are gathered together then secured by weaving in the tail yarn.
Happy knitting.
On so many levels we levels, I can relate to each thought about sock making! I will add the self perceived notion, Oh, *they* must be the elite of knitters, because I don’t knit fast enough, don’t have experience enough to even start *that*. But those ANTs, from Dr Amen, are fear based. Gradually, my knitting new techniques, or new projects has been actively re-phrased with “I don’t know how *yet*, but let me try. So many beautiful designs, well written patterns, tools, and social media, await each new knitting adventure! The parts of me that already love to crochet, embroider, cross stitch, paint, bake and cook have kept the ANTs at bay. You’ve inspired me, again, to try something new with a positive start!
Did you knit the socks on double-pointed or circular needles? I’ve had trouble with both!
Congratulations! The colors are lovely!
Socks are definitely my favorite thing to knit. I prefer toe up – yes, to avoid grafting but also to make the most use of my yarn. When I have to graft toes, I clear my plans and focus only in the process. I still haven’t figured out how to get back in place if I have to stop.
Wow ! And cables too ! Amazing work ! Good job G.
Now I need to get out my sock and frog it. Start over. I can do it!
Finchley graft! You have to turn the sock inside out (possible to do with needles in place) and then it’s super easy!