Well, I never thought it would happen. I've become a sock knitter! Yes, I have made socks before, but now I actually want to have a pair on the needles at all times. Wow. I credit it all to learning to knit them 2-at-a-time from the toe up on one needle. Brilliant. If you'd like to learn this method, check out the book by Melissa Morgan Oakes, Toe-Up, 2-at-a-Time Socks. She explains the method and tips for getting a sock that fits your foot perfectly. My neon footlets, the socks above, are a combination of her knitting method and the pattern Padded Footlets, by Mary Snyder in the book Favorite Socks, from Interweave Press. I skipped the padded foot and did them from the toe up...a little trick I used for the lace chart...turned it upside down! It worked perfectly.
Here are the socks on my needles now. I started them to take on our camping trip this past weekend. Socks are such a great traveling project, especially when you're in a dusty campground :) I'm using the same method on these and making them up, but the ribbing design is inspired by violaviola's Dream Socks. They are so beautiful! I'm using Hazel Knits Artisan Sock yarn (brown) and my beloved Koigu Painted Premium Merino for the grey (which will also be on the heels and possibly the top ribbing).
I really used to be a fan of knitting socks on double pointed needles. I loved the small needles and loved knitting around and around...it felt quick. BUT, when you finished the first sock, then you had to do the second one. Boring! :) This way is so rewarding because when you're done, you're done. I love toe-up, too because they really do seem to fit better. I hope you'll try this out! What is your favorite sock method?
