Description ~ Hot Sock Tricks

A wide ranging selection of Lucy’s most trusted sock tips and tricks. Techniques covered are also applicable to other garments.

Materials Needed ~ Hot Sock Tricks

A small ball of smooth wool-blend yarn (these need not be ‘sock’ yarns) approximately Worsted (5 sts per inch or fewer) in two plain, light contrasting colors. Students will be working samples not a sock. Fine sock yarns and needles may be used, but is far easier to see the details of your stitches and techniques in larger yarns and solid, light colors. 3 sets of needles all the same size (as used for your swatch): dpns and two circulars (one of which should be 100 cm/ 40” or longer). Scissors and crochet hook Blunt darning needles and usual knitting tools.

Homework ~ Hot Sock Tricks

This swatch is worth the investment of your time and effort! It may be used over and over again and will serve you well if you take the time to find appropriate yarns. Choose a medium to light colored, smooth (not fluffy or textured) worsted or chunky weight wool-rich yarn (approximately 5 sts/in or fewer) and 5+ mm (US # 6+) needles. Using a set of DPN’s, or circular(s), cast on 40 sts and knit 6 rounds. Arrange the stitches for a sock toe: 10 sts on each needle. (Or as you would wish!) Rnd 2: (K1, ssk, k 14, k2t, k1) x 2. Rnd 3: Knit. Rnd 4: (K1, ssk, k 12, k2t, k1) x 2. Continue to work decrease rounds as set, every round until 24 sts remain. Break off main yarn with a 6” tail. Leave the stitches live or on the needles. Please bring about 3 yds/m of a contrasting, similar weight solid colored yarn to class. Ssk: Slip the next two sts, knitwise, one at a time, to the right-hand needle, insert the left-hand needle into both sts and knit them together. This produces a one-stitch, left-slanting decrease known as a ‘Slip, slip, knit’. K2t: Knit two stitches together. This produces a one-stitch, right-slanting decrease.