Knit 2 Socks in 1

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Edited by Deborah Balmuth and Mia Lumsden

Book design by woolypear

Art direction by Carolyn Eckert

Tech edited by Kate Atherley

Indexed by Eileen Clawson

Photography by © Kendra Lynece

Illustrations by Alison Kolesar, except 24 & 25 by Ilona Sherratt © Storey Publishing, LLC

Photography by © Kendra Lynece, front cover l., back cover b., i–v, viii, 2, 5, 6 l., 8 l. & b.r., 19, 22, 23, 46 r., 50, 51, 54, 60 l., 63, 65, 66, 74, 76, 84, 87, 91, 93, 94, 98, 105, 106, 111 b., 113 t., 114, 117, 135, 137

Additional photography by Mars Vilaubi © Storey Publishing, LLC, front cover t.r. & b.r., back cover t. (all), vi, vii, x, 3, 4, 6 r., 7, 8 t.r., 10–17, 20, 21, 25–45, 46 l., 47, 52 l. & b.r., 53, 55–59, 60 r., 61, 62, 64, 69–73, 75, 77–83, 86, 88–90, 92, 95, 97, 99, 101, 102, 107–110, 111 t., 113 b., 116, 118–122 and Carolyn Eckert © Storey Publishing, LLC, 48, 52 t.r., 68

Text © 2022 by Safiyyah Talley

Ebook production by Slavica A. Walzl

Ebook version 1.0

March 1, 2022

Foot size table reprinted with permission from Custom Socks: Knit to Fit Your Feet by Kate Atherley (Interweave Press, 2014).

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This book is dedicated to

my loving husband, Jake, and our beautiful son, Beau. Thank you, Jake, for supporting me in all of my endeavors. And of course, thank you, Beau, for reminding me to take breaks to "play"!

Contents

Foreword by Jeanette Sloan

Why Two Socks in One?

1. Choose Your Story

Yarn

Needles

Yarn + Needles

Notions

2. Choose Your Path

Sock Anatomy 101

Choosing a Size

The Everyday Sock

Customizing Your Socks

Sock Knitter's Worksheet

3. Choose Your Ending

Squiggle Stripes

A Good Book Bed Socks

Savasana Yoga Socks

Once Upon a Time Booties

Broken Seed Stitch

Huntsman's Cottage Socks

A Long Slumber Bed Socks

A Walk in the Woods

Lacy Rib

Flower Buds Anklets

Maypole Lace Socks

Snow Queen Lace Socks

Ladder Stitch

Royal Coronation Baby Booties

Rapunzel's Ladder Socks

Secret Stairwell Socks

Mosaic Rib

Kingsmen Socks

If Mermaids Had Feet

The Littlest Prince(ss) Booties

A Li'l Frill

Frilly Booties

A Secret Proposal Anklets

Make Believe

Wishbone Lace

Littlest Wish Booties

Glass Slippers

Midnight Wish Socks

Glossary of Techniques

Abbreivations

Featured Yarns

Acknowledgments

Shoe Size and Foot Length Charts

Index

Expand Your Knitting Skills with More Books from Storey

Share Your Experience!

Foreword

For some, even the most seasoned knitters, hand-knitting a pair of socks is a cast on too far. Mass-produced fashion constantly encourages us to throw away even the smallest of items, so why bother to make socks at all? Because there's something special about a pair of hand-knit socks. They are little miracles of engineering, even more so traditionally knitted ones. Because once you've formed the cuff, worked the leg, and conquered the turning of that heel, you're on the home straight to the toes, and you're done.

That is, until you have to repeat the whole process for sock number two, and this is where many knitters give up. So, just like machine-made socks that inevitably lose a partner in the washing machine (and who hasn't experienced that?), the process of hand-knitting socks has its perils when second sock syndrome strikes.

Safiyyah Talley's intriguing method of knitting both socks at the same time does away with the looming threat of second sock syndrome. No second cast on, no wondering if there's enough of your precious single skein of hand-dyed yarn, and best of all, no guilt over the pair of socks that never was.

I first became aware of Safiyyah back in the summer of 2018. At the time, there were many discussions on social media about the lack of diversity in the fiber community. I was writing about those conversations from my particular perspective as a Black designer and discovered Safiyyah while researching BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) working with fiber.

The name of her blog, The Drunk Knitter, appealed to my sense of humor, but I was also drawn to her creative approach. Her desire to lead a slow, sustainable life with her beloved family in the Indiana countryside is central to who she is and, by extension, what she designs. I found that both inspiring and refreshing.

We first worked together on Warm Hands, a collection of glove and mitten designs I coedited with Kate Davies. As one of the book's 15 contributing designers, Safiyyah—through her Heartland Marsh mittens—speaks to the importance of her rural environment. In celebrating the wetlands of Indiana, she conjured up the essence of her local landscape so beautifully that despite having never met her in person, I felt I came to know more about Safiyyah through that design. Now, two years on from that collaboration, I'm excited to contribute this foreword to her first book.

Without the need for turning heels or picking up gusset stitches, Safiyyah's Two-Socks-in-One method really is the easiest way of knitting two socks simultaneously. Because the patterns are more intuitive than prescriptive, this playful take on making socks is sure to inspire a new, younger generation of sock knitters. See it as an adventure to be embarked upon, then explored, rather than a daunting task to endure, then possibly abandon. No fiber is off-limits, and any weight is fair game for transformation. Your next favorite pair of socks awaits, so whether you're a Magic Loop fan or a double-pointed needle diehard, pick up your needles and let the adventure begin!

Jeanette Sloan

Designer, author, and founder of BIPOC in Fiber

Why Two Socks in One?

Picture this: You would like to knit a pair of socks, but you dislike knitting the same thing twice. And, if you're anything like me, you may worry that by the time you finish your second sock, your first one is lost wherever missing socks end up.

When I first started teaching sock knitting, I was already a superfan of knitting two socks at the same time from the toe up using the Magic Loop method. But many of my students found that trying to learn new skills while keeping two balls of yarn from becoming a tangled vortex of wool and needles can be a daunting process—even for experienced knitters. One of my most memorable knitting students, who traveled all the way from Australia to New York, very eloquently described the method as "fiddly."

So my students asked me for a simpler method for knitting socks two at a time. They said they wanted to use needles that they were comfortable with and wished to forgo short rows, heel flaps, and any other specialized sock-knitting technique. And so I did some research and testing. I flipped through books, "ancient" blog posts, and many, many knitting patterns. I knitted so many socks that everyone I know will have warm feet for decades to come. I measured feet, studied international size charts, and knitted like a machine until I came up with the Two-Socks-in-One method. This technique allows the knitter to make two socks at the same time by knitting one long tube. The method is easy to remember and fully adaptable to every foot size. Simple and quick, it uses repetitive steps, making the whole knitting process easy to learn and enjoyable.

The Next Steps

Have you ever read a choose-your-own-adventure book? They were popular when I was a child in the 1990s, and they often were inspired by science fiction and fantasy novels. What makes the genre so enjoyable is the control that the author gives to the reader. Each reader chooses the protagonist's destiny while exploring the author's world of fantasy and intrigue at their own leisure.

Knit 2 Socks in 1 is essentially a choose-your-own-adventure book for knitters. Using the guidelines given in the next two chapters, you will be able to knit a pair of socks, two at a time, using your preferred yarn, needles, notions, and gauge. Not a fan of itty-bitty yarn and double-pointed needles? Give circular needles and bulky yarn a try! The choice is completely yours.

To help with your sock-knitting journey, I have designed seven patterns that you can knit up as well. Each has three variations, but you can apply endless combinations to the basic pattern to yield many possibilities for your sock-knitting adventure. Think of this book as your friendly, informational guide on how to knit socks, two at a time, the easy way.

Let's get started.

1Choose Your Story

Your adventure begins here. All good adventures start at home. J. R. R. Tolkien's hobbits started their quest in their home country, the Shire. Harry Potter was introduced to the world of wizardry by a half-giant who visited his home. Think of this chapter as your home base. You'll learn some things that will help you choose your yarn, needles, and gauge, and then you will be prepared to embark on your journey of knitting two socks in one.

Yarn

Every time I teach my class on choosing fibers for knitting projects, many of my students are surprised at how different yarns can drastically affect a project. For example, the beloved (by some) and affordable 100 percent acrylic yarn tends to result in a slippery sock and sweaty feet. Alternatively, cotton—the most popular material for commercially manufactured socks—actually absorbs moisture and can cause cold feet in the wintertime. And wool—often coveted for the soft, durable, and moisture-wicking socks it produces—can irritate sensitive feet. In this chapter, we will further explore popular fiber options so that you can make the best choice for your needs.

Understanding Fiber

Ask any sock enthusiast about their favorite sock fiber and be prepared for a long and enthusiastic spiel about how dedicated they are to [insert favorite sock fiber here]. Yes, sock knitters, myself included, often have a favorite sock fiber. Some are die-hard cotton fanatics, while others refuse to use anything besides superwash wool.

There are so many fiber options to choose from that you may find yourself with more than a handful of favorites. Though I adore wool socks, I like to branch out every now and then by experimenting with different types of fiber. Within the yarn industry, there are three main fiber types: animal, plant-based, and synthetic.

Animal fiber. Animal fiber can be sourced from hair or fur and can even be made by insects. Fiber artists have used sources as unusual as human and dog hair and as common as wool and alpaca. What links all of these fibers is that they are made of animal proteins. These proteins wick moisture, resulting in yarn that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Thus, yarns made of animal fibers create versatile garments, because they can be worn year-round.

Plant-based fiber. Derived from cellulose (the main component in plant cell walls), plant-based fiber can be sourced from plants such as bamboo, seaweed, flax, and cotton. Yarn made from plant-based fiber absorbs moisture and becomes stronger when wet. These qualities make cotton yarn a great choice for washcloths. Yarns made from plant-based fibers also have incredible breathability. Because they draw heat away from the body, they are ideal for summer garments. Plant-based fibers are also perfect for those who wish to avoid animal by-products.

Synthetic fiber. Designed to improve on naturally occurring animal and plant fibers, synthetic fibers are produced in a laboratory. Yarns made with synthetic fibers have long been favorites among sock knitters who want warm socks but are sensitive to animal fibers. Popular synthetic fibers include acrylic, nylon, and polyester. Yarns made from these fibers create strong, long-lasting garments that are easy to care for, but they do not wick moisture well.

A Hint of Nylon

Some wool sock yarns contain 5, 10, or even 20 percent nylon. This adds durability without sacrificing any of wool's positive attributes.

Popular Sock Fibers

Now that you know where fibers come from, you're ready to learn more about the most popular fibers for sock knitting.

Wool

Wool is a great fiber for your first pair of socks because its elasticity creates a very forgiving sock. In addition, there's just something homey and comfy about handknit wool socks. (When I was packing my hospital bag in anticipation of the birth of my son, Beau, I made sure to slip in a pair of hand-knit wool socks.) Wool socks are decadent little tokens of warmth and love.

My favorite wool socks are made from affordable superwash wool and can be tossed into the washer and dryer. You may want to experiment with wool-based art yarns that are not marketed for sock knitting. (Art yarn is a general term used to describe any yarn spun with unique and/or nontypical fiber elements, such as strands that are sometimes thick and sometimes thin, creating an unexpected change in the yarn's texture. The Knit Collage yarn featured here is an example of an art yarn.

Cotton

Cotton socks are a fan favorite in the warmer months. They breathe well, resist wear, and are gentle enough for babies and children with sensitive skin. When knitting socks out of cotton, remember that cotton tends to stretch and lose its shape with wear. Some knitters prefer to size down, in either needle or sock size, to accommodate for cotton's "slouch," while others (like myself) embrace the slouch as a relaxed design element.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a synthetic fiber, so it does not wick moisture and is not breathable, which can result in a sweaty sock during the warmer months. Still, it is a great option for those who are sensitive to animal fibers but want a warm sock. Bulky acrylic yarns, however, can yield slippery socks. As a result, it's best to use bulky acrylic yarn in bed socks. Rather than using 100 percent acrylic yarn, I prefer yarn that includes acrylic in a blend with wool or cotton. These blended yarns showcase the better qualities of each fiber. For example, the wool adds wicking properties and warmth, while the acrylic provides easy laundry care.

Yarn Weight

Yarn companies classify their yarns by weight, which is the thickness of the strand of yarn. Industry standard yarn weights are lace, fingering, sport, DK, worsted, bulky, and super bulky. Below I list the most common weights for sock knitting. I don't recommend using lace weight yarn for sock knitting because the constant abrasion against feet can quickly wear holes into delicate socks.

Fingering weight. This is the most common yarn for sock knitting and is also known as "sock yarn." Sock knitters have traditionally relied on this fine yarn because its small gauge creates a well-wearing and warm sock that easily fits into most shoes. With its smaller gauge, fingering weight does take longer to knit than heavier yarns, but the result is a sock that can last for years. Fingering weight yarn usually yields a gauge of 7 to 8 stitches per inch.

Sport weight. The next step up in thickness from fingering weight, sport weight yarn creates lightweight socks that can still be worn comfortably in shoes and boots. Sport is also a popular weight for baby booties and socks. A sport weight yarn will knit up slightly faster than a fingering weight yarn, so it is an ideal choice for knitters who want a lightweight sock without making the time commitment that fingering weight gauge requires. Sport weight yarn usually yields a gauge of 6 to 7 stitches per inch.

DK. Socks knit in DK weight yarn are a favorite of mine. Though they are a touch too thick to wear with shoes, they are the perfect thickness for boots and clogs. DK weight socks wear well in every season and also knit up quickly, making them perfect last-minute gifts. DK weight yarn usually yields a gauge of 5 to 6 stitches per inch.

DK is for . . .

Did you know that DK stands for double knit? Here, double knit refers to the yarn weight, not the knitting technique that lets you simultaneously create two layers of fabric. Want to knit a DK weight sock but only have fingering weight yarn on hand? Holding two strands of fingering weight will yield a DK to worsted weight! This is also a great way to stash bust and experiment with color.

Worsted and Aran. Socks knit in worsted or Aran weight yarns are the way to go for beginners. Worsted weight yarn is thicker than DK weight, and Aran weight is slightly thicker than worsted weight. Both worsted and Aran weight socks work wonders in winter boots on snowy days, and knitters can relish the heavier gauge that will make socks work up in the blink of an eye. Worsted and Aran weight yarns usually yield a gauge of 4 to 5 stitches per inch.

Bulky. I really enjoy knitting and wearing socks made from bulky weight yarn. Though they are not as common as DK or fingering weight socks, they are perfect for cozy winter days spent indoors. Bulky yarn also makes warm and rustic baby socks and booties that are perfect for newborns. Bulky weight yarn usually yields a gauge of 3 to 4 stitches per inch.

Super bulky. One of the thickest yarn weights available commercially, super bulky yarn is starting to become popular in the sock-knitting world. This rustic yarn weight transforms traditional socks into slippers and slipper socks, which make great last-minute gifts and a unique knitting experience wrapped into one. Super bulky weight yarn usually yields a gauge of 2 to 3 stitches per inch.

How Much Yarn?

Typically, adults' socks use roughly 100 to 150 grams of yarn, while socks for babies and children use about 50 to 75 grams. Use the chart below to determine how much yarn you'll need for your project. Please note that these are estimates. For example, heavily cabled socks will use more yards of yarn than socks of the same size with a lacy stitch pattern. When in doubt, always buy an extra skein. It's better to have some yarn left over than to run out of yarn before you finish your socks.

Required Yarn Amounts

If the sock design you're knitting uses a contrasting color for the cuffs, heels, and toes, you won't need a full skein of yarn in that color. Using the Two-Socks-in-One method, adult sizes will use only about 50 grams of the contrasting color. Socks for babies and children will use even less. This is a great way to use up yarn from your stash. Or, if you have a full skein of the contrasting color, try making a coordinating pair of socks using the remaining contrasting yarn as the new main color and the original main color yarn as the new contrasting color. In the chart below I estimate the total length you'll need for a contrasting color based on your gauge.

CONTRASTING COLOR YARN AMOUNTS

Needles