Handmade socks vs store bought
I rarely wear socks, especially in the summer here in Mississippi, because the heat and humidity sucks and I've liked running around barefoot ever since I can remember (and that's a long time).
However, recently-since I started trying my hand at knitting my own socks, I like them better than store bought for one simple reason-that annoying seam where they sew the toe to the instep, it aggravates my toes like nothing I know. Other than that, I have nothing else against store bought, except most of them are cotton, and therefore not much good when the cold winter gets here, or they're acrylic-which is soft and nice-feeling, but doesn't breathe at all. And I can't afford to go to anyplace that might sell wool socks-not that there is probably any place like that here in Natchez anyway, and I won't travel very far with gas prices the way they are just to get a pair of socks I like.
Then I tried a pair I made from sock yarn a few years ago, and they were so comfortable that I decided that if I was going to wear socks I might as well make them myself. Now, I haven't made very many pairs-mostly because I have to order my sock yarn and because I don't always have any extra money at the end of our bills, but since I don't wear them often I figured one or two pairs would do me until I could make more.
And another thing-crocheted socks are interesting, if one knows how to crochet (and I do). It's a different way to have handmade socks for the non-knitter. You just need a small hook-such as a F or G-maybe even an E if you want to keep your stitches small, and it does take more yarn to make them because crochet naturally takes up more yarn than knitting. I find I like the peasant heel on these because it's much easier to crochet a chain at the heel, leave the hole, then crochet in the heel afterwards-which would also make it easier to fix said heel.
Anyway, if you don't think there are many patterns for crocheted socks, take a look at the ingenuity of some crocheters who were generous enough to share their patterns at no cost:
Crochet Pattern Central-socks
However, recently-since I started trying my hand at knitting my own socks, I like them better than store bought for one simple reason-that annoying seam where they sew the toe to the instep, it aggravates my toes like nothing I know. Other than that, I have nothing else against store bought, except most of them are cotton, and therefore not much good when the cold winter gets here, or they're acrylic-which is soft and nice-feeling, but doesn't breathe at all. And I can't afford to go to anyplace that might sell wool socks-not that there is probably any place like that here in Natchez anyway, and I won't travel very far with gas prices the way they are just to get a pair of socks I like.
Then I tried a pair I made from sock yarn a few years ago, and they were so comfortable that I decided that if I was going to wear socks I might as well make them myself. Now, I haven't made very many pairs-mostly because I have to order my sock yarn and because I don't always have any extra money at the end of our bills, but since I don't wear them often I figured one or two pairs would do me until I could make more.
And another thing-crocheted socks are interesting, if one knows how to crochet (and I do). It's a different way to have handmade socks for the non-knitter. You just need a small hook-such as a F or G-maybe even an E if you want to keep your stitches small, and it does take more yarn to make them because crochet naturally takes up more yarn than knitting. I find I like the peasant heel on these because it's much easier to crochet a chain at the heel, leave the hole, then crochet in the heel afterwards-which would also make it easier to fix said heel.
Anyway, if you don't think there are many patterns for crocheted socks, take a look at the ingenuity of some crocheters who were generous enough to share their patterns at no cost:
Crochet Pattern Central-socks
Comment
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Comment by Irene Soileau on August 14, 2009 at 4:33pm -
I have knitted cotton socks with some elastic in it, they feel good even in summer, they are knitted on a size 3 needle, I get this yarn from Elann, and my DL who is a nurse, loves the socks, she loves the winter wool ones to, so you might consider those, Irene
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Comment by Irene Soileau on June 24, 2009 at 5:44am
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went to sock central interesting site,I have never crochet a sock, an interesting thing to consider, Love Natchez, have visited that beautiful city on more then one occasion, Irene
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Comment by Irene Soileau on June 13, 2009 at 10:11am
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I love to knit socks, after not doing so for a long time, not just love to knit them, they feel so great on your feet, my DIL paid me the best commpliment ever, she called and said ( this is the best ever gift you could give me, could I have more please) how neat is that. Irene
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Comment by Julie Hicks on May 23, 2009 at 4:36am -
Hi Peggy, hi Robin.
Yes, crocheted socks are interesting, just not as stretchy at knit socks, so you have to be careful with your sizing.
Pelahatchie-not too far from me :) Never been to Massachusetts.
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Comment by crafty Robin on May 22, 2009 at 12:06pm -
Thanks for the link, it's an intriguiing idea. Will have to try this out!!
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Comment by Peggy Stuart on May 22, 2009 at 5:26am -
Hi, Julie! My mother came from Pelahatchie! It's good to hear from someone from Mississippi! I grew up in Massachusetts, another state with double letters! I'm also addicted to socks. They're so much fun to do. I've never done a crocheted sock, though. That might be interesting. Happy knitting/crocheting! --Peggy
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