I’m smitten. I absolutely love this new (to us) Louet Gems line. Here is my Grape sock, finished up yesterday. It’s the Waving Lace Socks pattern from Favorite Socks. It was very easy to knit and I love how it turned out. It has a long cuff and I have long feet (size 11) and you can see in the photo the amount of yarn I had left over from 1 skein. (I followed the pattern exactly, and knit with #1’s.) Good to know that I can get by with 2 skeins for these socks. They are so comfortable to wear, too. You’d think that since I like them so much, and the color is one that I have not knit before, and they were easy to do, that I’d jump right in and make the twin, right? (Those of you who know me, know what’s coming…..) Of course I started another design last night. Well, I wanted to try the Louet Sportweight (which really is a delightful sportweight – not very heavy. I’m still using a size 1 needle to knit it.) Now I’m trying out the Meida’s Socks with Sage. This pattern is really fun to knit, too. 🙂 And then after this one, I think I will have to try…
A Cookie A design! Because her designs are absolutely over-the-top amazing, and we just added all of them to our pattern section at The Loopy Ewe. This is a new venture for Cookie (selling her patterns – not designing them) and we are her first wholesaler. My only problem will be deciding which one to start with. They’re all incredible. They all call for Louet Gems, too – so it’s a good thing we have the entire color line. (Ahem. It’s a good thing we have the entire color line ordered. Still waiting on the other half of the colors, but they have shipped so we expect them any day and will get them up immediately. This is one of our “big lines”, so barring any unforeseen problems, expect us to have it in most all of the time.)
I also like yarns that are semi-solid – meaning that the color intensity/shade varies throughout. You’ll see this in many of the wonderful J-Knits yarns, as well as All Things Heather, Apple Laine, and Claudia Handpainted. We’re also getting a great new line of semi-solids from sKNITches next month. I have a sample skein and it’s beautiful. You’re going to love it. So for those of you who are finding fun lace patterns to knit up and you want the stitches to pop, try some of these different solids.
Of course that got me thinking. Why do I love knitting socks? Well – there are lots of reasons. They’re portable, they don’t take a whole lot of yarn, they can be as challenging or as simple as I want them to be, they’re relatively quick to finish, etc. But one of the biggest reasons for me is that it allows me to try all different kinds of techniques and patterns without having to commit to a whole sweater of it. It is a great way to experiment and learn. That brings me to this month’s contest. Leave a comment and answer this question: What do YOU like about knitting socks? I will do a drawing next Monday to see who wins this month’s fun “Loopy Loot” package – so get your comments in!
I did a little re-stocking today – more Wildhorse Farm patterns, more Zephyr stitchmarkers, and more Loopy Totes. Of course there is always more, more, more in the works!
Sheri loveseeingallofyourFrankandMarthasocksphotoscomingin!
I like to knit socks ( despite that I have just started) for all of the fun yarn, the patterns and the neat needle techniques you can use to make them.
What do I love about socks? As a new sock-knitter, well… I have to say it’s all the colors available, and all the variety of things to do with it. I haven’t tried “real” clothing yet, and I’m not sure I really want to — I absolutely love color and socks are the perfect things to get so many colorful and interesting designs in… and if I don’t really like it so much, oh well! I think I’d be delighted with anything I make, really, so that’s not much of a problem. I hate store-bought socks in different colors/patterns and yet I am SO SO SO happy with my first pair of knitted socks in colors I’m not entirely fond of… it’s just so charming!
The colors. It’s all about the available colors and there are SO many…
I love socks for all your reasons, especially trying new things on a relatively small item – plus sock yarns are so beautifully made, all those colours and squooshy soft fibers. I love the engineering of a sock, the different heels and toes you can make, the beauty of a well-turned heel, and how few ends there are to darn in.
I also love that I have found a whole community of crazy people just as nuts about sock knitting as I am!
I like how unique handknit socks are, but also how they make awesome presents. After the 3rd scarf, most people have had enough. But every person I have knit a pair of socks for, requests more.
I like socks in general. Years of wearing school uniform tights have made me adore the luxury of socks and no more tights … blech!
I love the originality of handknit socks … nobody is going to have the same as you, and the yarn possibilties are endlessly tempting. Thanks Sheri 🙂
i haven’t started knitting socks yet, but i love knitting mittens. mostly because i like to make things that are useful to the people i love. and i like to be sure that every one has warm hands.
My reasons match yours, Sheri–the portability, the ability to try new things, all the wonderful choices of yarn. I wear socks a lot, so I get a lot of use out of them. I also love that I can throw them in the washing machine. (I stick to superwash sock yarn, obviously.) And my family likes to get handknit socks!
As well as the reasons mentioned above, like trying all the amazing yarns and colours, I love to knit socks because of the timelessness, the tradition behind it, as though knitting socks strikes some sort of collective unconscious chord with knitters from the past. Also, I have yet to make a pair of socks that aren’t welcomed by the recipient, loved and worn frequently. Unlike sweaters which can be the wrong fit or unflattering, handknitted socks always look and feel great (as long as they’re made with the right yarn–like the kind you sell, Sheri).
PS –Will you be adding the Cider Moon patterns, too?
I love knitting socks because of the challenge of all the different patterns and techniques. I can even knit in the car, on the plane and at the Doctors office. I mostly love trying out all the great sock yarns at the Loopy Ewe.
I love socknitting because it is so portable! Plus of course the great socks and….I can get as complicated (lace and texture patterns) or as simple as I like. Handpainted and self-patterning yarns are so great when I just want to knit my “basic” sock and have a small project to turn to when I’m tired of counting lace in a shawl or complicated cable patterns. And…when my hands or shoulders are tired from working with a bigger projects, socks just feel so comfortable and easy to work with in my hands 🙂
LOVE to see that you are carrying Cookie’s patterns! She has been and on and off point of discussion in a sock group that I participate in. We’ve all loved her patterns on knitty and have wondered when she will have a book (publishers out there, pay attention!) or her own patterns available. Good for her and great that you’re the first to carry them!
What’s not to love about knitting socks? They’re incredibly portable, and make great commuting knitting. You can make them in all sorts of yarn, and I get to work with some incredible patterns AND have a finished object in a week or so. (I’m notorious for starting and not finishing, but so far I’ve finished all the socks I’ve started.)
I love knitting socks because they are so easy to carry with me. I hate to be out and about with nothing to do if I have to wait. Also, they are a way to make a project that I can easlity finish in a short amount of time. I guess I am an instant gratification girl! And if I want to be realy honest about it, I like when people are fascinated and/or impressed that I am so clever!
I love trying different fibers and colorways, and it’s just so much easier to pony up for a really “expensive” skein of sock yarn (like Posh, for example, as a higher-end yarn) because you’ll definitely get a full project out of it. There’s an Artyarns cashmere that I love, for example, but at $37 for a 160 yard skein….what am I going to do with that? And while I’m not going to wear a bright green/black/purple/blue/yellow sweater (ow, my eyes!), the same colorway would make my favorite pair of socks!! And they can be as complex as you could want them to be, or simple enough to knit in the dark!
I love to knit socks because I can get them done faster than any other knitting project. I am not the fastest knitter nor do have a lot of time to devote to a project. I can get a pair done in about a two weeks.
I also love the fact that I can buy a whole bunch of yarns in different colors. A pair of socks doesn’t set you back $100 to make a pattern.
Hi all,
I like socks because I tend to tire of a project easily. (I had this problem in my work life as well…) Many times I just knit until I’m on the foot…and then frog them…
Then on to another one…so many yarns and patterns to try…. (Like, “so many books, so little time…”). You have to be relentless. Ha Ha Ha….
Also, I feel it connects me with all of the knitters for the soldiers of the WW’s…they knit many a sock for the servicemen.
Anyway…I am hooked and not afraid to admit it.
I love (note: love, not like!) knitting socks because of the yarns. I can splurge on a divine sock yarn for less than $30, and have no guilt, since I got two garments (one for each foot!) from one skein. I can pick out colors that speak to me, and not worry about what it will go with or if I’ll ever wear them. Add in the portability factor and the fact that every time I put them on, I feel pampered, and there you go! 🙂
I love knitting socks. I especially love knitting socks with hand dyed yarns because most of the time, the colors are pretty much one of a kind and the striping/poolong/flashing is always unique and special to the pair of socks. Only with hand knit socks will you get the individuality that makes them so amazing. Also, you can take them anywhere. I always have a pair of socks OTN in my purse (I have dubbed them purse socks) that I knit on when I am stuck waiting for something. You can’t do that with a sweater! Also, I find the time it takes to knit plus the cost are what really puts me off bigger items, such as sweaters, blankets etc. And, socks are something that you can enjoy at any time of the year. And that’s why I like socks!
oops, forgot to mention a little ‘cheer’ I cam up with this afternoon … it goes something like this … “give me a Z … give me an E … give me an N … what does it spell … ZEN!!”
Hee, Hee. Can you tell what I’m desperately waiting for? 🙂
My top 3 reasons:
a) They only require 4(ish) ounces of yarn… more bang for your stash buck!
b) They are of course portable, and don’t weigh you down, or over heat you. (hello, I’m in Texas thankyouverymuch!)
c) They are always always appreciated! Even if someone isn’t really a handknit fan, I’ve found everyone LOVES a pair of colorful hand knit socks.
All around, socks are an ordinary luxury. 😉
Love your new grape socks, Sheri!!
I agree with all the readers and you about sock knitting. The portablility of the project, the different techniques to try out, the different yarns to try out, and the fact that they make a very welcome gift are the best parts. Also I like the fact that they are not boring. If you are getting tired of knitting the top pretty soon you are turning the heel, then knitting the gusset and than you are on the home stretch! I haven’t figured out why my second sock always looks better than my first??
I love socks because they’re fast and fun to knit, the yarns are delightful, and since each project costs less than $25, I can justify the cost.
I love socks because I can knit things to wear on my feet that I would never wear anywhere else on my body. I love fun colors and patterns, but would never make myself a sweater out of hot pink, purple, and orange stripes. But if I put it on my feet, I just might get away with it…..
I started knitting socks so that I could have socks that fit properly and were made from wool. From that very utilitarian reason, an absolute obession has grown. I love the yarns… the colors! the fibers! I love all the different kinds of needles and techniques. You can try so many things without making a large committment to time or materials – such as a sweater would be. I love that you can do what you want without too much fuss – the ribbing you want with the leg pattern you want with the heel type you want. You can make them fancy or simple, silly or serious, bright or sedate. Each sock is a mini engineering project and it is never boring! And in a very resonable amout of time you have SOCKS! Who doesn’t need socks…? Well, I have had people say they don’t wear them, but what’s up with that?
Why I love knitting socks:
1. They’re portable.
2. I can knit fancy lace and cables and it doesn’t take me a year to get an FO! 🙂
3. People in my family really like getting socks as gifts.
4. I can buy the nicest yarn available without feeling too guilty over the price tag.
but most of all:
4. I’m a Martha sort of sweater person. Even my brighter sweaters are still pretty sedate (asparagus green is the wildest I’ve gotten so far!). I’d never knit (or wear) a sweater from bright bright bright handpainted yarn. I LOVE bright socks (and hats and gloves) though! Socks let me be wild and crazy with color and texture. And the same goes for the rest of my family–my mom wanted a grey sweater, but she was happy as a clam over a pair of poinsettia-pink-and-olive-green socks!
What I love about knitting socks is the availability of new sock yarns. There are some beautiful handpainted and hand dyed yarns that make a truly decadent sock. There is no way I could knit myself a sweater out of the same yarn, but socks – no prob!
I’m thrilled that you are selling Cookie’s patterns!
I love knitting socks because the possibilities are endless….you can do intricate lace, crazy cables, colorwork, plain stockinette, you name it, you can put it on a sock and create a functional and beautiful piece of knitting that won’t take you forever to finish or cost you an arm and a leg.
I love to knit socks for several reasons:
(1): They are fun to make….it’s always fun to see how the yarn knits up.
(2): Socks are cheaper and faster to make then say something like a sweater. There’s no way that I could make myself a wool sweater for $25. 🙂
(3): I’m completely addicted to sock making.
(4): I now have socks that fit my feet. 🙂
I love knitting socks because they always fit, they’re fun to make, there is a never-ending array of colors and patterns, and…I get to order from The Loopy Ewe!
I love to knit socks because I’m ADD. I cannot give up enough energy or time to something huge or mega time consuming because I’m going to be off on a tangent before I cast on if I’m not careful. I also love the simple sock construction. There are no seams, no crazy joins, steeks, nothing more difficult than the gussett. Plus, I’m a larger lady, so if I want to knit clothing items, I’d have to stop paying bills and rent to buy the yarn, and I’m just not that into living in the streets and eating off of the floor! 😛 Also, I can swath my feet in colors that would make me look like a one float parade otherwise! 😀
I love knitting socks as I can actually finish them… they’re perfect for my attention span. Plus, so many colors to wear on my feet that I’d never wear anywhere else! 🙂
I love to knit socks because my non-knitting friends (I’ve learned to look past that), ooh and ahh over them. And I get to ooh and ahh over all of the beautiful sock yarn and patterns. You can never get tired of it!
Sheri,
Thanks for adding Cookie’s patterns–I saw she had you listed as a retailer on her site today, so I was eagerly looking forward to getting the patterns from you. Yeah!
Why do I like knitting socks? (1) They’re small and relatively quick (and my attention span seems to be getting shorter the older I get). (2) Easier to carry around. (3) Get to try out different techniques. (4) Sock yarn (theoretically) takes up less room in my stash, although it’s quickly expanding thanks to all the wonderful yarn you keep waving in front of me. (5) They have enough different “parts” to keep my interest (that attention span thing again). Pretty much “ditto” to the rest of the comments.
Thanks, Sheri
I love knitting socks because I live in Texas.
If I knit myself a pullover sweater, I can wear it in January, a little of February, and a little of December. A cardigan is a little more versatile, but if I make it out of wool, I’m still not going to be able to wear it much of the year. (The air conditioning in my office is set cold but not THAT cold.) Lace shawls are gorgeous and have a longer season, but are not terribly practical when minding one’s eight-year-old son.
But socks? I can wear wool socks from early fall to late spring; a wool/cotton blend is tolerable even in July. Socks are the only knitting I can use year-round, and the only knitting that’ll be washed regularly enough that I don’t have to worry so much about it being eaten by bugs (unlike my lovely soft merino mitts, which got bug-chewed before their first winter). Plus, they’re small enough to fit in my fanny pack, so I can always carry one around even if I don’t want to tote my whole knitting bag.
I like knitting socks because they are not overwhelming! Having started knitting a year ago, I’ve graduated from basic scarves to my first sock, and it is a nice progression. The sweaters, at least for now, will still be purchased at LLBean! 🙂
I love knitting socks because of the portability of the project. Plus, you should see the faces of the other commuters on the NYC subways when I’m on there knitting socks…standing up….with the yarn coming from inside a little bag around my wrist! They look at me all weird because of the tangle of wires and string – because you know most muggles don’t see it as YARN unless it’s THICK ACRYLIC and also, 99.9% of muggles are not familiar with circular needles.
Oh, and several have asked me what the HECK am I doing?! LMAO!
That’s why I love knitting socks.
PS: The fancy yarns and funky colors worn under my suits at my stuffy lawfirm also make for freaky looks at work! :o)
I love knitting socks like everyone above because of the portability. I love the different yarns, colors, textures, and patterns. I like knitting socks on 2 circular needles, so I find that I can knit a few stitches anywhere…bank line, coffee line, breaks at work, etc. I love to wear socks that I’ve made…they fit. The best part is finding The Loopy Ewe so I can buy more sock yarn, patterns, accessories, etc for my sock knitting addiction.
The reason I love knitting socks is because you can knit with limitless types of patterns, yarn brands, and colors, and still never get tired of knitting, because of all the limitless possibilities. It makes me feel so creative. The best part is knitting in public-most people are just awe-struck because you are using sooo many needles. I look at them and say, “It’s so easy, if I can do it, you could too.” These are just a few of the reasons I love knitting socks, plus I’m addicted. Lee
Sheri –
Congrats on being Cookie’s first wholesaler. Very exciting – she’s really one to watch out for – I think of her as the next Nancy Bush, I swear!
I like socks b/c they are easy to knit in public(portable). Like Rosi G., I like the looks on people’s faces when they see all the needles and tiny yarn.
I like that socks can be fancy or plain – however you want to make them, they are all pretty! And everyone needs socks- to me, they are the most useful handknit.
Yay! Cookie A patterns!
As for socks… lordy, what’s not to love? They’re versatile; you can knit them plain, with a simple rib, or go for a complicated lace, texture, or colorwork pattern. They’re small, and you can schlep them just about anywhere, even in the bath. Not much yarn is needed, and this is an added bonus because you can buy more, varied colors. Socks are also quicker to complete than larger projects. Most of all, they’re fun to wear and show off!
Ode to Knitted Socks
Socks are pure perfection to knit.
I love that I can knit a pair of socks with one wonderful skein of yarn.
That I can cast on and off and never have a break in finished garment.
The perfection of a knitted heel flap and a well-turned heel.
The decrease magic in a toe and the joy of grafting.
That they will always impress a non-knitter who sees them on the needles.
As I knit in the round inside out, when I turn my sock to graft my toe I am met for the first time with the wonder of my finished sock, to see the yarn created into it’s mission in life – a sock.
For someone to whom finishing in knitting is a chore, the knitted sock is one of life’s moments of wonder, after the grafted toe is finished and the cast on is woven in, you have a finished garment.
We all have feet and I don’t know anyone, knitter or not, who does not apprectiate the joy of hand knitted socks created from a wonderful hand painted yarn, they are a work of art whether in progress or on the blocker waiting to be worn.
(with deepest respect and apology to Keats and Browning)
I love socks because they’re fun to knit. I can get crazy with the colors and people are always so amazed when I pull them out to start knitting when I’m out and about. For my clothes I’m your classic prep but when it comes to socks I get all the bright, funky colors that I can. They’re easy to knit and I can play with new techniques. I also love to waer my funky socks with my berks (I know the horror!) to show them off.
What I love about knitting/knitted socks is how they feel! There is nothing that feels as good as a handknit sock in a beautiful wool/cashmere/silk/alpaca/handspun. I like that they are a short-term project! And because they are so popular, pattern choices are excellent!
I love knitting socks because;
they are realitively quick to knit,
they are realitively inexpensive,
they are made to fit ,
they can be knit with yarn that is art,
they are one of the most appreciated gifts I have ever given,
they can be as easy or complicated as you want them to be,
non-knitters are always extremely impressed,
sometimes other knitters are extremely impressed,
I love wearing handknit socks and the only way I can do that is if I knit them.
I love sock knitting for many reasons. But I think one of the biggest has to be the yarn selection. All the colors, all the stripes, all the pattern possibilities. I always feel like I want one of everything when it comes to sock knitting and I want one in evey color(as long as it is cheerful!). I am alwasy trying to show restraint when it comes to casting on a new yarn for socks…..when do I ever feel such desperation to cast on a sweater? Never!!
And for the record, The Loopy has made my sock knitting adventures even better. Thanks, Sheri!
Initially, I chose to take a sock class at my LYS to challenge myself to learn new techniques. I soon realized that there were many other techniques I could incorporate into sock knitting – cables, lace, color, etc. The possibilities are endless!!
I learned the traditional way to knit socks using DPNs – then I learned how to use 2 circulars – and finally I learned how to make them toe up (and finally mastered short rows)… I could no longer contain my excitement – I wanted to knit socks all the time. That is why I declared 2007 the “Year of the Socks” And, the best part?! — I discovered your wonderful site and was exposed to more wonderful, colorful yarns! I think I’m in heaven. : )
I love knitting socks because of all the cool yarn. I am in love with the Seacoast Sunrise that I recently got. I cast on a pair of Cookie’s socks from Knitty with it this afternoon and I am already through the first repeat. I don’t want to put it down but I had to check out your blog (my Monday, Wednesday, Friday addiction besides sock yarn). I also like that they aren’t very expensive and I love how they feel on my feet.
I LOVE knitting sock… to the moon & back…because they are extremely portable, easy to pick up and put down, easy recall on patterns, adorable, comforting, comfortable, totally satisfying and impressive.
I love giving them away!
I’ve always loved how socks provide a “secret” way to express your personality, obvious only to the most observant of friends. Knitting my own socks, and knitting socks for those I love raises that whole experience to the next level, adding luxury to a dose of spicey, hand-made, custom fitting delight. I’ve ruined my husband, who now wonders why every pair I have on the needles is not for him. Besides, sock yarn really isn’t “stash”, right? 🙂
I like knitting socks pretty much for the same reasons already named above. The yarns are beautiful and I’ll buy yarns in colors that I wouldn’t wear in something larger like a sweater. I’ve knit bigger items and I don’t think any of them have given me the satisfaction of the socks I’ve knit. Hand knit socks are fabulous. They’re fun to knit, they feel terrific and the color and fiber choices are wonderful.