Colorful Crafting With Jen: Learning To Love Sock Knitting and a Free Sock Pattern from Sheep Shop!

I have a confession to make: I have never enjoyed knitting socks. For many years I kept this a well hidden secret (I own a yarn shop after all!), but one day I mentioned my non sock knitting ways to my friend and co-worker, Mari. Mari suspected that my lack of sock knitting love had to do with the fact that I am also not a lover of double pointed needles (for me they're fiddly to cast on with, I often twist the first round and I always end up with a ladder of loose stitches between the needles). Her suspicion was spot on! Once Mari taught me The Magic Loop method of circular knitting I was transformed into a voracious knitter of socks!

Although I did not love knitting socks before I was introduced to the Magic Loop method, I have always loved the color Sherbet in the Sheep Feet sock yarn and have long admired the free sock pattern that Sheep Shop includes with this yarn. So, once I learned the Magic Loop I jumped right in with both feet! My Sheep Feet socks were knit on a US size 4, 40-inch circular needle, but you could use a 47-inch or 32-inch length if you have to. (For me the 47-inch needles are a bit too distracting with the long cord and the 32-inch length is just a bit too short to comfortably knit with).

If you are average woman like me and have a US size 7 foot, you can get away with one skein of yarn for a pair of socks. As I was nearing the end of the second sock, I was a bit worried that I wouldn't have enough yarn, but I did. If your feet are larger than a women's 7 or you want to make the cuff a bit longer than the pattern calls for, be sure to purchase two skeins. The free pattern will be included whether you buy one or more skeins.

I loved knitting these socks.  They had just enough detail that I didn't get bored while knitting them, but not so much that I had to tune out my husband talking to me while I knit! I love wearing them almost as much as I loved knitting them, but I think that could be because it is 85 degrees in sunny Southern California! --Jen

Comments

[Giggles]

Wow! I've never heard of that technique before. I haven't even considered socks because the double pointed needles look like something I'd stab myself with while using them. I'm definitely going to have to give that a try.

[Annie]

Oohh, I love them too much! I think I need to regain patience for knitting and give these a try!

[yvette]

i love these socks! i don't enjoy making them much either. i am a sufferer of second sock syndrome. i tried the magic loop method once and couldn't figure it out... maybe i need to try again. the colorway here is drop dead.

[JenW]

My trick to avoid the loose-stitch ladder is to "cycle" the stitches through the needles -- knit (with 4 dpns) through one needle, when the left-hand needle is empty set it down, and knit one or two stitches off the next needle with the (now full) right-hand needle. Then pick up the empty needle and continue to knit as usual. Then repeat when you switch needles again!

Does that make sense? It was a lot harder to explain, once I started writing it down!

[Rachael]

I prefer a 40inch magic loop - that way I can do 2 socks at once if I want! I reccomend trying it once you are comfortable with the new needles - no more second sock syndrome! Love the yarn!

[Stephanie Hillberry]

Sock knitting is perhaps my favorite of all needle endeavors! There's something soothing about the tiny loops and lace patterns. And their portability is unbeatable. I love to carry around a sock project in my purse to pull out at coffee shops or while watching movies at home. People sometimes give me curious looks (like "what is this twenty-something-year-old doing knitting in public?") but I just smile back. Maybe they don't know that knitting is the new trend!

[CP]

I enjoy working with 9" circs for socks. They are a little unusual at first, but pretty nifty after a while. Pretty socks and yarn. GREAT JOB!

[Erika]

I love these socks! They are fabulous, I'm not sure if it's the yarn or the pattern or the combo, but I need a pair!

[betsy]

Nice colors but bear in mind that knitting with 4 needles is impossible - you really are knitting with 2 the same way you regularly knit -the other are just holders! Sorry I just love my dps

[kanjip]

i love sock knitting and have been wanting to try the magic loop method but have had trouble casting on but i am going to try again with my nest pair of socks

[Debbie S.]

Oh, I wish I could knit so I could make a pair of socks like these. So fun and colorful! Love your blog. I follow it every day.

[Rose]

Thank you for posting the link to that video! It's quite timely for me, as I have been driving myself crazy trying to figure out how to knit socks on a circular needle. I did a few rows of ribbing tonight, and I feel like I've conquered Everest!

[Susan]

I will have to try these....I just love the purl bee.

[Candice]

I've just placed an order for the sock wool and the needles and am looking forward to trying the Magic Loop. Thanks for making the project items so easy to obtain, Purl.

[Kathy]

I'm wondering if there is a mistake in the pattern. The heel flap is a total of 11 rows which seems very short and makes it impossible to pick up 14 stitches on either side for the gusset.

[Gwen]

Is the rib pattern K2, p2, twisted rib2, p 2?

I have the yarn, but did not get a sock pattern with it.

[purl bee]

Hi Gwen,
We'll have someone from our customer service address email you regarding the free pattern.

[Tami]

Since you are out of stock of the sherbert yarn, would I be able to purchase the pattern only?

[Peggy]

I would love the pattern too, even if I have to buy it. I will get the Sheep Shop Yarn once I know I can get the pattern.

[Peggy]

Sorry, my previous comment didn't include my email address. I would love to know if I can still get the pattern for the socks on circular needles. I will order the yarn once I know I can get the pattern. Thank you.

[Mim]

Since this company is out of business now can you sell the sock pattern? I purchased it from another retailer and did not get this sock pattern and would love to have it.

Thanks!

[Nicole]

These socks are so great! This is just the pattern I've been looking for to knit my first pair of socks. However, I, too, was forced to purchase the yarn from another retailer since Purl is out of stock (and the company is out of business - sad!), and did not receive a pattern with the yarn. Is there any way I can get it? Is the pattern available for purchase?

Thanks!
Nicole

[andrea]

to kathy - i had the same problem you're having with the heel flap. the pattern doesn't specify how many stitches to use for the heel flap. i went to purl for help and it's 24 stitches (and apparently the heel flap is always 1/2 your total number of stitches on the needles before you being the heel flap).

I'm having another problem with this pattern. I believe that needle 1 and needle 2 are listed incorrectly while working the heel gusset decreases. I'm doing it as stated, but it looks like my lace pattern will be on the bottom of my sock. please help!

[Lizzy]

Hi Purl Bee, I live in Australia, and have been looking for a sock pattern forever. I've been unable to find one until now. How can I get this Sheep Feet sock pattern. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks Lizzy.

[Brandie]

HI! I discovered this WONDERFUL site last night, and spent HOURSSSSS looking at all th creative goodness! I lovethese socks as well...any news on if the pattern is available?? And I am SO stopping in to the store next year when I am in NYC!!!!

[Katie]

Yes , I too would like the sock pattern