Socks are a great project for summer knitting because they are light and portable. There are so many different types of socks to choose from that knitting them should not get boring.
Types of Socks
There are many different types of socks to knit. One type, to make summer and socks go together even more, are flip flop socks. These socks are simply small tubes that cover the arch area of your foot, allowing you to wear them with flip flops. Flip flop socks can be thought of as similar to fingerless gloves for the feet.
Regular socks are also a good summer project. Most socks are knit using fingering weight yarn, so they are lightweight. Because socks are a very popular type of project, there is a multitude of patterns available for them. Nearly any stitch pattern can be worked into a sock, as long as it can be knit in the round. The small size of a sock means that a knitter can store the project right in her purse or beach bag, and bring it whereever the summer takes her.
Slipper socks are also a popular type of sock project. They are usually slightly bigger than regular socks, as they are generally knit from heavier weight yarns, but they are still small enough to be portable and light to work on.
Types of Yarn For SocksMost socks are knit in fingering weight yarn. This yarn is thin enough that socks knit from it can be worn inside shoes without discomfort. The thinness of the yarn allows the knitter more freedom to include complicated stitch patterns in the socks, because a smaller yarn means more stitches equal the same size. This high stitch count also means the knitter has more freedom to adjust sizing and shape, as single increases and decreases have less effect than with heavier weight yarns.
Many sock yarns are made mostly or completely of wool or cotton. Wool yarns are popular for socks because wool is sturdy and has a good memory, meaning it holds its shape well. This memory means that the socks will retain their size and shape, and will not grow and fall off over time. Wool is generally used for warm socks, as it insulates well.
Cotton sock yarns make lighter socks for warmer weather. Like wool, cotton is a popular fiber for socks because it holds its shape well over time. Cotton is also popular for socks because it is absorbant and breathes better than wool, which helps keep the foot cooler and drier.
Knit sock patterns can be found in many places online, such as Knitting Pattern Central and Ravelry, or in many different books such as Getting Started Knitting Socks and Sock innovation: Knitting Techniques & Patterns for One-of-a-Kind Socks.
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