sock it to me...

[Kayaking Mama]

Your sock opinions needed! My mom has been asking for a pair of socks for a while now and I've avoided making them because, well, so far I haven't enjoyed my sock-knitting experiences. But, I've decided that a pair of fabulous socks would be a good Mother's Day present...So...I've only done top-down patterns, so should I try a toe-up instead? What is your absolute favorite sock pattern? And, while we're at it, what yarn do you think would make the most scrumptious pair of socks you could possibly desire?

Thanks (and thanks in advance, from my mom!)!

[xanandali]

I prefer toe up and doing two at once so I can get them both done at the same time and if I make mods along the way they are both the same. Its also nice to just do them until I run out of yarn or get bored and can try them on along the way too.

That said, the yarn does some time get twisted because I use two balls but thats a minor inconvenience for what its worth to me to get them both done at once.

Also, I prefer magic loop or 2 circs. I did half of one sock on DPN's but all the rest of my experience is using 2 circs or ML. If you have kids thats the way to go IMO because its easier to put down w/o losing stitches (at least for me) and I certainly do a lot of starting and stopping!

[amey]

Regia makes a silk/wool blend that felt really nice while I was working it up into a baby surprise jacket. It's also machine washable, so it's posh and not delicate IYKWIM.

[Kayaking Mama]

Thanks Amey!

I don't know how to do magic loop yet/2 circs yet. Maybe I should learn that before I do these socks?

[amey]

If you've done top down, then do that. I wouldn't necessarily try something new with what you want to be a fabbo gift for your mom.

You can do toe up on DPN. I prefer 2 socks on 2 circs, but have friends who love DPN. I prefer 2 circs mostly because I don't have to worry about the kids pulling out a DPN or the stitches falling off (which seemed to happen to me with DPN).

With the Regia, you have to buy 2 skeins for a pair of socks, FYI.

[feminist~mama]

Originally Posted by xanandali

I prefer toe up and doing two at once so I can get them both done at the same time and if I make mods along the way they are both the same. Its also nice to just do them until I run out of yarn or get bored and can try them on along the way too.

That said, the yarn does some time get twisted because I use two balls but thats a minor inconvenience for what its worth to me to get them both done at once.

Also, I prefer magic loop or 2 circs. I did half of one sock on DPN's but all the rest of my experience is using 2 circs or ML. If you have kids thats the way to go IMO because its easier to put down w/o losing stitches (at least for me) and I certainly do a lot of starting and stopping!

I'm all about the ML toe-up 2-at-once... but since I'm just starting on socks (I've done just 2 pair), I'd love a pattern recommendation!

[HoneyTree]

I must say that learning the 2-circs method, which took a minute, really turned me around on sock knitting. I find it so much quicker and more satisfying.

[Kayaking Mama]

Well, I taught myself magic loop the other night so I think I'll try some simple socks on magic loop and see if the sock love hits me...

[Think of Winter]

Every time I see your title it cracks me up. We recently watched Remo Williams (dh's choice), a really goofy ordinary-guy-turned-superhero story from the mid 80s. In the love scene, the girl keeps saying "Sock it to me! Sock it to me!," which then reminds me of the scene in Election, "Fill me up! Fill me up!" Sorry, totally off topic, but funny.

[VikingKvinna]

I'm a top-down kinda girl (when it comes to socks, at least ) but I wanted to recommend this pattern, if only because of the name: Belle Maman ("pretty mother" or "mother-in-law"). It's a feather-and-fan variation, which is always a good pattern for socks, pretty easy to do.

Have fun!

[gretasmommy]

Have you seen the local Spunky Eclectic sock yarn? Chesley sells it at The Knitting Experience, and Amy, who runs Spunky, lives in Lisbon Falls . . . .and I just love the yarn! It's soft and she has amazing fun colorways. Highly recommend it!

As for patterns, i have a sock pattern book that you are welcome to borrow . . .but for free patterns, I like the Jaywalker pattern . . . .my first pair were these.

Can you teach me ML? I would love to learn!

[Kayaking Mama]

I just heard about Spunky Eclectic on Ravelry! I definitely want to check it out, either at TKE or right over at Amy's place. I'm still practicing ML before starting an actual sock with it but I would be happy to teach you after I've had a bit of practice!

Oh, and--congratulations! Zelda is a great name!

[gretasmommy]

Thanks! We like it as well . . . .except she sure does look an awful lot like her big sister (apparently this is the baby we make!!!) and I keep calling the poor girl "Greta"!!!! I do manage to correct myself, and then sing her a little song with "Zelda" in it to compensate - she seems to like my singing!

Looking forward to learning ML someday. I think you'll like the Spunky yarns. I just love them. . . .it's a bit of a problem, my husband would say.

[feminist~mama]

I'm going to have to check that out! I love the name!

[bionicsquirrel]

I just finished my first pair of socks. I did 2 at once from the book, 2-at-a-time-Socks and after I did the little sample socks, it was a cinch. The book focuses on top down, so if you can do that, you can do these socks. I am going to try toe up next. Oh, this is 2 socks on 1 circular needle, not two, so it is a little different than the other method,but I think it is really easy and I am a novice.

I use Plymouth Sockotta yarn, a cotton/wool/nylon blend and it was really smooth to knit with and economical- $9.00 for the skein made 1 pair of mens size m socks.