Creating your own socks can seem a little daunting to a new knitter. Perhaps you are putting off knitting socks in favour of projects that appear less technical. But don't put off picking up those DPNs any longer! Knitting your own socks is fun, engaging and a great way to create your own unique sock style. And don’t forget, once you have mastered the art of sock making, you will be able to create socks for others too! Check out these ten reasons to knit your own socks and get ready to enter the exciting world of sock knitting.

Super sock yarn

Hardwearing and tough but oh so soft and squishy, sock yarn is a treat to work with. Coming in every weight and colour you can think of, these yarns have a unique feel to them due to how versatile and reliable they are. Knit a trusty sock with a solid colour yarn, explore self-striping yarn and create socks with a colourful style, or mix it up with a speckled yarn and make socks as unique as you are. Many sock yarns contain Nylon which gives the yarn strength and can help stop the appearance holes, a handy addition considering how much wear our socks get! If you want a more biodegradable option in your sock yarns consider yarns like Rosa Pomar’s Mondim yarn, a 100% fine Portuguese yarn, that is not subjected to the super-wash treatment but still has the strength and colour range to delight sock knitters. If fancy a bit of Nylon in your sock yarn, you will never go wrong with West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4-ply.

Download FREE knitting patterns on CraftWorld

Knit a new style

Once you have found the perfect sock yarn, you will be eager to find a sock pattern that will make your heart (and your feet!) swoon. There are so many sock patterns, it can be hard to know where to start! We recommend starting with a basic sock pattern, like Winwick Mum’s one here, so you can get familiar with the basic construction and start to get excited about all the possibilities of sock knitting. When you’ve mastered the basics, an ocean of sock patterns await you! Pick from lacey and delicate styles, impressive colourwork, classic cables and much much more. Interested in designing your own socks? Being a smaller project, socks are ideal for customisation and experimentation. Use the basic sock pattern as your starting point and let your imagination run wild!

They make gorgeous gifts

There is no such thing as “selfish knitting” but perhaps you fancy a change, want to knit for someone you love or just need a last minute gift and can’t get to the shops! Knitted socks make the perfect gift, as anyone who has ever received them will tell you. The thought and care that goes into knitting socks can be felt every time they are worn. Why not make that special someone's pair of socks even more unique by using colourwork to add their initials or knit them socks based on a theme or style that you know they will love.

Create your own comfort

Have you ever slipped on a new pair of socks, only to find a cuff too tight or an annoying seam that bugs your toes all day? Knitting your own socks is your chance to create the comfy socks of your dreams. Choose your size and knit your socks to fit your feet perfectly. Pick your perfect finishing seam whether a Kitchener stitch, the Finchley graft or knitting from the toe up. This is your chance to create your ideal sock shape and style and give your feet a treat. Knitting with yarn that feels lovely on your skin is the real perk of knitting your own socks as any sock knitter will tell you.

Get toasty

While all socks are warm to a degree (if you’ll excuse the pun), knitted socks made in a super-cosy yarn take toastiness to another level. You will be excited to jump out of bed on cold winter morns to pull on your hand knit socks. If you suffer from chilly feet, ramp up your sock game with a yarn that will give you an added boost of warmth.

Improve your technique

If you are looking for a way to improve your knitting in the shortest possible time, socks are the perfect project to get your needles cracking. With ribbing, heel turns, and measured decreases, socks are a project to try out techniques while also getting a masterclass in how knitted garments are put together. Starting with a trusty basic sock pattern, newer knitters can see how simple shaping can be used to create ingenious designs. Once you’ve turned a heel, your appreciation for knitting techniques will never be the same again. And remember, there are so many resources available to guide you through your first time knitting socks.

A quick knit

If you are looking for a quick knit, socks are for you! Socks can be a great background project and they are ideal as a handy travel project when out and about, but they can also be a nice quick knit, perfect for getting another finished project ticked off your list. If you fancy something new, socks are perfect for whipping up something exciting in no time at all. Worried you will get stranded on sock island? (that’s the island next door to sleeve island). Why not learn how to knit two socks at the same time using long cable needles for maximum sock speed.

A world of exciting KALS

All knitters recognise that socks are a unique knit. There is so much to explore, and always new techniques and styles to master. With this in mind, there is always an exciting sock KAL around the corner ready to inspire and excite you. Make new friends and

Beautiful books

Sock knitting books are in a league of their own. Packed with tutorials, versatile techniques and fabulous colours and textures, sock books feel like a treasure trove of knitting ready to be discovered. We love Winwick Mum aka Christine Perry's book Super Socks, which will take you through everything you need to know about sock knitting.

Find out more about knitting socks with sock knitting expert Winwick Mum with her sock knitting pattern book for premium CraftWorld members.  

And get to know the Christine Perry herself, with this fascinating interview!

LOVE SOCK KNITTING? GET CRAFTWORLD PREMIUM!

When you sign up for CraftWorld Premium before the end of May 2021, you'll get a free digital copy of Winwick Mum's collection of beautiful sock patterns shown here. You can also save up to 15% off your sock yarn with our fab discounts. It's only £20 a year, so don't delay, sign up today!

The Winwick Mum Signature Sock Collection will only be available on CraftWorld Premium from 1st-31st May 2021. After this date, you can find it as part of the digital edition of Knit Now magazine Issue 111, which is available via Pocketmags, priced £6.99.