This is the third stop in the blog hop for Sock CAL 2018. Last week, Fay, talked to you about yarn choices in her post at Knit-it, Hook-it, Craft-it. Today is the official launch of Sock CAL 2018, so to commemorate, there are two posts to enjoy: this one and a second post, tomorrow Sunday, September 30. The fourth blog hop takes us to Addydae Designs' blog to read up on Sock Anatomy. (http://www.addydae.com) Happy Hopping!
Welcome Socktober!!
In the crafting world, many refer to October as Socktober because it is the month when sock making intensifies. Summer has passed, Autumn is in full blast and crafters in the Northern Hemisphere begin preparing for the colder months by making warmer attire. A common accessory for cooler temperatures is most definitely socks!
In the crafting world, many refer to October as Socktober because it is the month when sock making intensifies. Summer has passed, Autumn is in full blast and crafters in the Northern Hemisphere begin preparing for the colder months by making warmer attire. A common accessory for cooler temperatures is most definitely socks!
In the past, handmade sock making was a task delegated mostly to knitters. Crocheters were better known for creating slippers, booties or the so called, "house socks". You know, the kind you walk around the house in on cold days; not meant to be used with outdoor foot wear.
Over the past decade, however, many crochet designers have turned their attention to creating innovative sock designs that incorporate fine, high quality yarns and stretchy crochet stitches. This has made it possible to crochet socks that can actually be worn in shoes, trainers or boots. These recent designs create socks that are flexible and cozy without being girthy. Photo 1 shows one of my favorite socks on their way out on the town (Nope... it wasn't Halloween!). Does it surprise you that crocheted socks are gaining popularity as a practical accessory?
Over the past decade, however, many crochet designers have turned their attention to creating innovative sock designs that incorporate fine, high quality yarns and stretchy crochet stitches. This has made it possible to crochet socks that can actually be worn in shoes, trainers or boots. These recent designs create socks that are flexible and cozy without being girthy. Photo 1 shows one of my favorite socks on their way out on the town (Nope... it wasn't Halloween!). Does it surprise you that crocheted socks are gaining popularity as a practical accessory?
Photo 1: Is he alive? socks. These were hooked using a self-striping yarn, 75/25 superwash merino in fingering weight.
In the past, the possibility of making crocheted socks was rejected by many crafters due to the fact that crochet fabric is quite different from knit fabric. Most knit stitches are created by pulling yarn through one loop on a needle. This creates stitches that are close and tight and, consequently, a fabric that is thin and has drape. Therefore, knit socks had a fabric density close to that of commercially manufactured socks.
In comparison, most crochet stitches are made by pulling yarn through at least two loops. This, in turn, creates stitches that are loose and open; and a fabric that is not only heavy and hefty, but that also has a more open weave. This type of fabric was not appropriate for producing a fine, delicate wardrobe accessory; hence the rejection. However, over time, crochet sock designers learned to alter the density and flexibility of their finished socks through their choice of stitch, fiber content, crochet gauge and hook size. Their end product would never be identical to that of the knitters, but they were producing exemplary, durable and elegant items. Photos 2 and 3 highlight the many similarities between the sock construction of knit and crochet socks.
In comparison, most crochet stitches are made by pulling yarn through at least two loops. This, in turn, creates stitches that are loose and open; and a fabric that is not only heavy and hefty, but that also has a more open weave. This type of fabric was not appropriate for producing a fine, delicate wardrobe accessory; hence the rejection. However, over time, crochet sock designers learned to alter the density and flexibility of their finished socks through their choice of stitch, fiber content, crochet gauge and hook size. Their end product would never be identical to that of the knitters, but they were producing exemplary, durable and elegant items. Photos 2 and 3 highlight the many similarities between the sock construction of knit and crochet socks.
Photo 2: The "Exceptionally Ordinary socks" were a machine knit tube to which a hand knit cuff, heel and toe were later added. The yarns used were a 75/25 superwash merino/nylon yarn.
Photo 3: The Sour Candy socks" were crocheted using a 75/25 superwash wool/nylon self patterning yarn and a contrasting color for toes, heels and cuffs.
Differences in fabric density and drape, weren't the only obstacles faced when makers tried to create a crocheted sock that could stand up to the knitted version. There was also a problem with the stretch of the fabric. Since crochet fabric had little horizontal give, stretching the cuff of the crocheted sock to slide it over the heel (a measurement known as long heel girth or heel diagonal) presented a design challenge. Crochet sock designers accepted the challenge and found that using heel flaps and gussets (which add additional stitches to the foot before reaching the heel) along with increasing hook size at the heel by at least 0.5 mm and using stitches with more stretch (such as linked stitches or extended stitches) provided an adequate solution to this problem.
For example, the "Toil and trouble socks" of Photo 4 incorporate a short-row heel to build up extra rows and, therefore, extra space at the heel. The "Peanuts and Candy socks" shown in Photo 5 were constructed using crochet brioche on the foot. This creates a squishy, ribbed fabric that has a lot of stretch and padding.
Photo 4: "Toil and trouble socks", original design by Rohn Strong, were hooked using 80/20 BFL/Nylon. The sock has a short row heel.
Photo 5: "Peanuts and Candy socks" with gusset, heel turn and heel flap. The design, by Addydae Designs, incorporates crochet brioche.
The above discussion brings about another ailment suffered by hand made socks: the Baggy Cuff Syndrome. In any sock, the cuff must stretch in order for the sock to go on and off, but it is expected to return to its original shape. One reason why high wool content is preferred in sock yarns is because wool has "memory": it springs back into shape. Thus, helping to reduce this ailment. The Baggy Cuff Syndrome is a problem present in both knit and crochet socks, however, it is exacerbated in crochet because of the lack of horizontal stretch.
To attend this issue, one recent suggestion is to add elastic thread to the cuff as it is knit. The elastic can also be hand sewn into the cuff, if and when it begins to slouch. For crochet socks, the cuff can be created using vertical rows, instead of crocheting in the standard horizontal direction as shown in Photo 6. This will increase the horizontal stretch of the fabric at the cuff. Another alternative is to incorporate your cuff into the leg of your sock with a stretchy stitch, as shown in Photo 7.
To attend this issue, one recent suggestion is to add elastic thread to the cuff as it is knit. The elastic can also be hand sewn into the cuff, if and when it begins to slouch. For crochet socks, the cuff can be created using vertical rows, instead of crocheting in the standard horizontal direction as shown in Photo 6. This will increase the horizontal stretch of the fabric at the cuff. Another alternative is to incorporate your cuff into the leg of your sock with a stretchy stitch, as shown in Photo 7.
Photo 6: Is he alive? socks featuring a crochet ribbed cuff following the German Street Toe-up Socks pattern by Rohn Strong
Photo 7: Socks made using the Raulston Sock pattern by Rohn Strong. The pattern has the cuff built into the leg.
The nature of crochet stitches definitely gives crocheted socks one advantage: naturally reinforced heels and toes. Pulling through more than one loop makes crochet stitches resemble knots that are naturally reinforced. The toes and heels of crochet socks have a padded feel, especially if they are made using linked stitches. Since toes and heels are the parts of a sock that receive the most stress, many knitters use reinforcement thread along with their yarn to add strength to these parts. (You can read more about how handmade socks respond to wear and tear here.)
All this being said, I still question if it would be possible to create a sock that incorporates the strengths and best traits of both knitting and crochet. Must there always be competition and antagonism between the two crafts? I believe the answer is no. Both crafts have their merits so maybe they could team up and create a stunning outcome. But this is a topic for another post. For now, let me simply state that I have played with the idea and find the results encouraging. Photos 8 and 9, show the results of some of my experiments.
Photo 8: This crochet sock was made following the Fallen Leaves sock pattern by Vicki Brown which I have modified to incorporate a 2 x 2 knitted rib as a cuff.
Photo 9: A crochet sock that joins a knitted toe with a crocheted foot and heel and that ends with a knitted 2 x 2 rib for the cuff.
Whether you knit or crochet, sock making can be fiddly. But, is this fussiness so unexpected? After all, feet can vary significantly from one individual to the next. You may have long toes or short, deep arches or shallow ones, thin ankles or thick ones, and we all have our own preferences when it comes to sock length. Even with so many variations in contour and shape, constructing a comfortable, well-fit sock depends mostly on a few precise foot measurements and your crochet or knit tension. If you can take precise measurements and accurately determine your stitch gauge, you will be successful at making your socks; whether they be knit or crochet. Do not be dissuaded from sock making due to the bit of math involved in their construction. Luckily, most modern sock designs have the math worked into the pattern; making it even easier to complete this endeavor.
Be you an experienced or a novice crafter, a knitter or a crocheter, all the fuss over making socks is totally worth the effort. Especially because there are so many yarn colorways that have been dyed specifically with sock making in mind. There are also so many amazing fiber blends to experiment with. With these additional factors added in, making socks can become quite an exciting adventure. But, beware my readers... sock making can create severe addiction!!! You have been warned. Now, go forth and prosper!
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