Manly Socks
I taught two beginning sock knitting classes this fall. I’m not sure what I was thinking when I agreed to that because I’ve been crazy busy with work and projects at home. But, agree I did. So, when it came time to pick out some yarn for the sock I was going to work on, I decided on a nice sport weight because the knitting would go faster for me as I tried to keep up or stay ahead of the class. My original thought was to see if TA wanted the socks, but after finishing the first one it became clear that they just didn’t float his boat. Now what?
I still had one more series of classes to teach and one more sock that needed to be knit. It seemed wasteful to start another pair of socks when I had one perfectly good sock finished, so I sat down and tried to figure out what to do with what I had. It turns out that my dad has the same size feet as my hubby - roughly, and he mentioned once or twice last year that he’d like a pair of hand knit socks. Bingo. Dad could get the Manly Socks for Christmas and I’d kill two birds with one stone. I’d have a sock to knit for my class and a finished Christmas present when I was done. Don’t you like how I planned that? Yeah, I sure was thinking…
These socks are from a pattern I made up for my class. It’s quite a bit like the Yarn Harlot’s basic sock pattern except on these particular socks I used fewer stitches, larger needles, and added a cable between the long ribbing and the stockinette stitch. Yep, just like her pattern.
The yarn is Sundara Yarn Sport Merino in “Manly” that Sundara dyed for me eons ago. I used about 1 1/2 skeins and have enough left to do something with - I just have to figure out what that something might be. These socks are knit on US #3 dpns with 56 stitches. I decided on a hiking sock-esque amount of ribbing in the hopes it would provide a bit more “grip” on the legs, but didn’t want to do an entirely ribbed sock. The cables are your basic 4 stitch cable and twist to the left on one sock and the right on the other. Why not, right?
Anyway, I have one Christmas present knitted. Now to wrap them and stop thinking about them. I have some slippers to knit for my grandmother this weekend and then my handmade gifts are done. Before the last minute - can you believe it?
If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, have a wonderful day, and don’t forget to save room for dessert (it’s all about the dessert for me!).
Category: Socks | Tags: Manly socks
November 25th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Very nice socks! I can’t believe you’re done with all your handmade gifts already… I’m jealous.
November 25th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Those are great. Man socks can be such a chore.
November 25th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I’m with Carole….I’m still working on the same pair for Terry that were supposed to be for his birthday. LAST year! Well, he’ll get them under the tree and be damned grateful or he’ll never see another pair!
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 28th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Happy Thanksgiving! Two birds with one stone is always good. Over Thanksgiving my mother-in-law showed me the slippers that she is working on - French Press! I was impressed.
December 14th, 2009 at 7:43 am
OK, so I knit socks on 9-inch circular needles and I’m feeling pretty good about that. I’ve knit 4 pair so far. I thought I would never be able to pick up the stitches on the heel, but that’s working out now. I am interested in trying the manly socks AND trying to cable, which I’ve never done before. Where do I find your pattern and the yarn? I live in Cheyenne, but was just in the Cowgirl yarn shop a week ago with my nieces, Haley and Ashley. I’ll be going back there after every payday
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Hi Stephanie
Still waiting for the pattern for manly socks. I know you must be insanely busy trying to get Christmas finished, so when you think of it, I would really like to try knitting a pair of “manly” socks. Happy Holidays! Jorga Jschmaing@hotmail.com