Kick-back Two-Color Socks: Introduction

See details of all the sample socks | On to Lesson One

You've got a stash full of half and three-quarters skeins of sock yarn, or you've got a DGD who won't wear anything that isn't purple and pink, or you've got a serious fan who needs socks in the team colors, or you've found some luscious yarn in colors you adore but you don't want to have to buy a sweater's worth. So isn't it time you learned to design your own color-patterned socks?

What I want to do in this class is focus on the beginners. You will need to have made socks before, since I won't be covering the basic techniques like how to cast on or how to pick up gusset stitches. But anyone who has a bit of experience can plan a sock from the ground up (where else?) in a simple two-color pattern.

Materials

Any weight yarn that you like to knit with will work. I prefer finer yarn because you can do more intricate patterning in a finer gauge, but for a simple design worsted weight is great. Be sure you have double-pointed needles appropriate for the yarn you'll be using. The gauge you'll be aiming for is the one on the label if it's a sock yarn, or a bit tighter if it isn't.

It's better if the yarn you choose has some stretch: wool or acrylic or a blend are fine. Cotton yarn is not stretchy and would not be a good choice for your first attempts at color knitting.

I'll be providing charts for the three patterns shown in the photo of the samples; if you'd rather do something different, look though your pattern books and magazines and be ready to chart your own. I'll help you plan your own design. The simplest pattern (also shown in the gold-and-rust socks) will be the one we'll follow through the class -- but I'll be giving plenty of options to help students go their own way.

See you in class!

Class Outline

Lesson 1: Planning your sock Yarn selection for color socks Getting a gauge Choosing a pattern: two simple charts given Start your sock Extra credit: planning a more complex color pattern Lesson 2: Handling two-color knitting Joining a new color Cut or carry? Meg's jogless jog trick Two-fisted knitting Extra credit: catching in a long float

Lesson 3: Planning a Turned Heel Options for the heel flap Turning a round heel on an even or odd number of stitches Extra credit: the Dutch heel Lesson 4: Finish the sock Continuing the pattern down the foot Handling gusset and toe decreases in color pattern Getting a good foot length Extra credit: Avoiding patterned gusset decreases Details of the sample socks Socknitters Home Page

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