Knitted socks

Choosing yarn for knitted socks

It's no wonder that so many people love knitted socks—they're wonderfully warm and they have an amazing fit, tailored to the recipient's foot. This fit is hard to find in store-bought socks, and one should not underestimate the care and love that goes into homemade socks. Knitting a pair of socks takes time because sock yarn is typically thin and meant for size 2.5 or size 3.0 needles.

In principle, you can use any type of yarn to knit socks as long as the yarn is the right thickness. However, it's important to note that while pure wool yarn is soft, it may not be the optimal choice for socks. Mayflower sock yarn is a blend of 75% wool and 25% polyamide. The wool ensures the yarn is warm and soft, while the polyamide makes it more durable. This means the knitted socks can last a long time—even with frequent use.

Tips for knitting socks

If you want to start knitting socks, first decide whether you want to knit them on double-pointed needles or on circular needles. Preferences vary widely, so be open to trying both methods. Then, simply find a pattern for knitted socks. You might already be worried about knitting the heel, but there's no need to fret in advance. The best advice for knitting socks is to take it one step at a time.

Classic knitted socks are made from the top down, meaning you start with the sock cuff. The cuff of the sock is usually straightforward, often beginning with ribbing to ensure the finished socks stay up when worn.

Once the sock cuff is the right length, it's time to knit the heel. This is the most challenging part of knitting socks, so take it slow and steady. Read the pattern carefully and follow the instructions step by step. Many knitters find that knitting the heel isn't as difficult as anticipated once they have their needles in hand.

Interested in knitting thicker socks instead?

It's also possible to knit thicker socks instead. The process is exactly the same, but some knitted socks are thicker than others.

Therefore, it's faster to knit thick socks because you knit with thicker yarn and on thicker needles, resulting in fewer stitches.

You can get yarn specifically made for socks, which typically also contains polyamide or similar fibers like thinner sock yarn. If you don't have thick sock yarn, you can also knit with two strands of thin sock yarn.