And Why I Knit the Most Boring Socks Possible.

Socks are hands down one of my favorite knitting projects. And as someone that loves to create hat patterns with different kinds of stitches, ribbing, cables, etc, you might think I would enjoy exploring different stitches and textures through my sock knitting. But the reality is that I have a basic sock knitting pattern (with limited variations for a couple of common sizes and leg lengths) that has lived in the notes app on my phone for at least 8 years. 

I knit the most plain vanilla of all plain vanilla socks. A one by one ribbed cuff to a stockinette stitch leg, a heel flap and turn, and then a stockinette stitch foot with decreased stitches for a three-needle bind off at the toe. I’ve done it so much, I could probably knit a sock in my sleep.  I have occasionnally knit cabled socks or knee length socks, but the majority of the time, it’s my one personalized pattern.

The reason I keep using the plain vanilla pattern over and over again is because I love to knit while walking. Walking around a festival, walking the dog, walking around downtown — if I’m walking, I’m probably knitting. And I don’t want a complicated project or to carry around anything more substantial than a single sock. 

Given that I have to have knit well over sixty pairs of socks at this point — and I gifted my mom a year of socks for Christmas in 2025 – I have been thinking a lot about how to share that knitting socks can be a fairly easy undertaking and caring for hand knit socks does not have to be super complicated and time consuming. 

Tools & Yarn

At the foundation of every pair of socks I knit, is yarn selection. The yarn has to stand up to the wear and tear of being worn on our feet and normal daily activity.. There is nothing worse than knitting something that just doesn’t hold up and, given the friction we inflict on any pair of socks, I’m especially sensitive to making sure the yarn I use is intended and created with sock knitting in mind. 

Yarn Selection:

Socks go through a lot, so choosing durable yarn is key. A few tips for selecting yarn: 

• Look for dedicated sock yarns—typically wool or wool-blend yarns containing 10-20% nylon for strength, elasticity, and shape retention. 
• Make sure you get enough yarn. 100 grams (typically  between 400-430 yards/365-390 meters) is a common weight ball or skein for sock yarns but there are brands (like Patons Kroy, one of my favorites) that sell 50 gram balls. You likely need more than 50 grams for a sock with a decent size leg — I typically use at least 75 grams for a sock with an eight inch long cuff/leg and foot that wears a US 8 women’s shoe.
• Knit your first socks with a work horse yarn. There are some brands I would classify as work horses. If you accidentally throw them in the washing machine on the wrong setting, they are unlikely to be ruined. Patons Kroy Sock yarn, Opal, and Regia are all good bets if you’re looking for a hard-wearing yarn that won’t accidentally felt if exposed to warm water and agitation. I highly recommend using a dedicated sock yarn with a good track record for your first foray into sock knitting.
• Proceed with caution when using ‘new to you’ yarns. When you’re trying a new yarn, especially from an indie dyer, I highly recommend knitting a small square and wash/dry it in the way you intend to take care of your socks. You may find the color bleeds significantly or the yarn felts in mild water with very little agitation. Trying out a small swatch before committing to the full project can help prevent the heartbreak of an instantly ruined sock after it’s first wash.

Needle Selection: 

I almost always use double-pointed needles to cast on and then switch to two circular needles (using a two circular needle knitting method with half of the stitches on each needle). 

• Try a ‘sticky’ needle material:I typically use bamboo or wooden double pointed needles to cast on a new sock as the yarn is less likely to slip around on bamboo & wooden needles. I’ve had stitches slip off metal needles more than once when casting on socks,  but you should experiment with the needles and knitting method that is most comfortable for you.  
• Experiment with different knitting needles: You may find that double pointed needles work well for you or that navigating knitting with five needles is just not super comfortable. There are so many options to knit a small circumference in the round including the two circular needle method I prefer, magic loop, or even using a circular needle with very short ends and a small cord. Brands like ChiaoGoo sell circular needles with a 9” length. Know that when you’re starting out, you may need to experiment with different knitting styles to find the way that works best for you!

Notions:

You never need a lot in a basic notions kit beyond scissors and a darning needle to weave in ends; but it is helpful to have other tools handy. A big one for me is stitch markers. 

• Marking the beginning of the round: Use a closed loop stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round. When I’m working with double pointed needles or using the two circulars method, I put the marker 4-6 stitches in from the beginning of the round on the first needle. 
• Counting Rounds: Locking stitch markers are great for keeping track of rounds. I will frequently attach the locking stitch markers to the cuff and then move them up the leg, marking every 10 rounds, to keep track of my progress. 

Gauge and Swatching

Knitting a swatch and checking your gauge is super important for knitting items that you want to fit properly like sweaters and socks. But I have to confess that I don’t typically knit a gauge swatch for socks.

The reality is that if you were to knit a swatch using some of the best practices, like casting on 5-6 inches worth of stitches and then knitting at least four inches of length, you’ll have knit a huge chunk of what would be your finished sock. I will frequently cast on the number stitches I use for the size I’m knitting, knit a few inches, and then check the fit and sizing. I will even transfer the knitting to a needle with a plastic cord that  I am comfortable with getting wet if I need to block the yarn. 

This is where you should work on trusting yourself as a knitter. If your knitting looks wildly off compared to the size you are knitting, something is probably wrong. Trust your instincts. 

Experimenting to Ensure Sock Knitting is Fun 

As the knitter, you are in charge of your knitting. And it should be fun – or at least bearable to get to the end goal. A lot of knitters hit a point with a long scarf or large sweater project where it’s just hard to find the motivation to finish the project, but the end goal is so often worth it.

When it comes to knitting socks, there is an infinite range of needle, yarn, and pattern combinations. As mentioned above, if you find yourself just not enjoying working with double pointed needles, try magic loop. If you don’t like 9” circulars, consider switching to double pointed needles.  Beyond tools, you can explore patterns and techniques to find the right pathway for you:

If you don’t like knitting cuff down, maybe you worry about running out of yarn? Consider dividing your yarn into two equal balls and knitting from the toe up to use up all the yarn available. 

Do you dislike the finished look of a heel flap and gusset? Consider short rows or an after-thought heel (I highly recommend checking out the ‘Crazy Sock Lady’ youtube channel for videos on a ton of different techniques).  

Final Hand-Knit Socks Thoughts

Any pair of socks is going to undergo a lot of wear and tear. But that shouldn’t put you off of taking the time to knit socks. Wearing wool socks in boots during cold weather is one of the best ways to stay comfortably warm. Plus all the other fabulous properties of wool make them perfect for cold, wet, snowy New England winters. 

And I love having my drawer of plain-vanilla stockinette stitch socks. Whether around the house, to work, or hiking, I wear my wool socks from October to March. And I love seeing the gorgeous colors – solids, self-striping, faux fair isle – it’s such a visual feast when they’re folded neatly in a drawer together.

And they really are the perfect knitting project for a good walk or when you want something to keep your hands busy. Try knitting a simple pair of socks (I recommend tin can knits Rye Socks). I bet you can’t knit just one (mostly because you need to knit two to make a pair…). 

Happy knitting! 

~Kara McKinley