2018: Sock Drawer Goals
At some point over the Christmas holidays I must have had really cold feet while enjoying the winter wonderland that was Oregon state when I was home for Christmas. Instead of fixating on eating healthier or what bad habits I want to break when the new year rolled around all I could think about was how great it would be to have a drawer full of socks by the end of the year. Or it could be that I’m just sick of the one handknit pair that I’ve been wearing to death. Ugh.
Ravelry even seems to want to help me with this goal as they have a new challenge feature that they’ve added to everyone’s project page. Now I feel super motivated to plan out all the socks I want to knit this year and pair them up with some of our yummy yarns.
I’m usually a pretty non-fussy sock person. I like them pretty basic with not a lot of patterning on the foot, maybe a bit at the top. Here’s some of the patterns that inspired me while I was down the Ravelry rabbit hole:
Free patterns
Rye – Tin Can Knits
I can’t recommend the Tin Can Knits patterns enough to people and this cushy sock pattern from their Simple Collection is a quick knit in Worsted or DK weight yarn. The pattern is also sized from baby to big so you can make them for your whole family.
Lemonade – Yuka Takahashi
This ankle sock features pretty eyelets and calls for a sport weight yarn. Perfect for our SweetGeorgia Superwash Sport (this would look AMAZING in Mango Ice!). The pattern is one size but knit toe-up so should be easy to adjust.
Hermione’s Everyday Socks – Erica Lueder
If you’re looking for something with a little texture then these socks inspired by the Harry Potter heroine are for you. These are top down and one size as well but adjustable. With over 21,000 projects listed in Ravelry there’s lots of inspiration to see how others have knit them!
No-Heel SpiralSocks – La Maison Rililie
La Maison Rililie has taken an old idea for socks and modernized it beautifully with these socks, including a mirroring of the spiral, six different sizes and two different toe options. They’re toe-up and I love the contrasting toes and cuffs. Great way to use up leftovers in other colours!
Rose City Rollers – Orange Knits Designs
Wool has such amazing temperature control qualities and I think these would be so cute to wear in the summer. Without the body of the sock to knit too, they’ll be an even faster finish.
YinYang Kitty Ankle Socks – Geena Garcia
Another adorable ankle sock pattern. What’s not to love about these kitties, knowing that they’re hiding in your shoes? And it’s easy to knit them longer, or to match too.
Patterns for purchase
Jelly Rolls – Orange Knits Designs
If you thought the Rose City Rollers socks were cute, check out these Jelly Rolls! They feature a second roll around the ankle, as well as colourwork patterning in the heel and arch – another fantastic way to use up leftovers.
Vintage Fairy Lights – Helen Stewart
I absolutely love how the pair of these that I knit last year turned out. So much, that I think I’m destined to knit some more! Perfect for speckled yarns that make those colours pop out in just the right places.
Evesham Socks – Joanne Scrace
And because I’m determined to get more proficient with my crochet this year, I’m including these pretty, lacey socks. I’m comforted by designer Joanne’s description that they’re easier than they look!
Socks are the ultimate in portable projects. Knowing how much travel I have planned for this year I’m hoping that’s a good sign that I’ll be able to get a lot of sock knitting done. And with such a small canvas, they’re the perfect way to explore new techniques and stitches. If my big goal is to have a drawer full of handknit socks by the end of the year then my sub goal is to delve more into sock construction and find my perfect sock fit.
If you haven’t knit socks before you know we’ve got classes, right? Our next Learn to Knit Socks class is scheduled for February 4th. Or if you’ve already got some sock knitting under your belt, why not join us on March 3rd to learn from sock knitting maven herself, Kate Atherley? Kate will be teaching us how to knit Two Socks at Once, Side by Side.
- Carmen