Inside e-Knitting Magazines : Knitting Daily

Sockupied Summer 2013 Preview

Anne Merrow — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:30:00 GMT

The Summer 2013 issue of Sockupied is almost here, but for now, we hope you'll enjoy this sneak peek of all the sock-knitting bliss this issue has to offer! From knitting two socks at once to cast-ons for colorwork, you'll find helpful tips and tricks to take your knitting to the next level. Five brand-new sock patterns featuring bobbles, lace, colorwork, and more will keep you on your toes all through summer.

The Mac and PC versions of Sockupied will be available from the Knitting Daily Store on April 29th, but the iPad version is available now.

Projects

Schwäbische Socks

by Lisa Stichweh

Elegant woven stitches transform and travel down the feet

Construction: Top down, short-row heel

Finished Size: 7½ (8¼, 9)" (19 [21, 23] cm) foot circumference and 8½ (9, 9½)" (21.5 [23, 24] cm) long from back of heel to tip of toe; foot length is adjustable.

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet (90% superwash Merino wool, 10% nylon; 192 yd [176 m]/1¾ oz [50 g]): #1249 maroon, 2 (2, 3) skeins.

Needles: U.S. size 1½ (2.5 mm).

Notions: Markers (m); cable needle (cn); tapestry needle.

Gauge: 30 sts and 48 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st.

Skip to my Lou

by Rae Jean

Mesh lace provides the canvas for colorful handpaints or subtle solids

Construction: Top down, short-row heel

Finished Size: 7 (8¼)" (18 [21] cm) foot circumference and 9½ (10½)" (24 [26.5] cm) long from back of heel to tip of toe; foot length is adjustable

Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug 400 (100% Merino wool; 400 yd [365 m]/5¼ oz [150 g]): #166 elephant's daydream (blue) or #23 slate (variegated), 1 skein

Needles: U.S. size 1 (2.25 mm).

Notions: Markers (m); tapestry needle.

Gauge: 30 sts and 46 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st.

Provenance Socks

by Heatherly Walker

Stripes and ornate scrolling patterns inspired by centuries-old embroidery

Construction: Top down, flap heel

Finished Size: 7¼ (8¼, 9)" (18.5 [21, 23] cm) foot circumference and 9½ (10¼, 11)" (24 [26, 28] cm) long from back of heel to tip of toe

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk (85% superwash Merino wool, 15% mulberry silk; 437 yd [400 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): #5639 VanDyke brown (MC) and #5674 baby denim (CC), 1 skein each.

Needles: U.S. size 2½ (3 mm).

Notions: Markers (m); tapestry needle.

Gauge: 36 sts and 34 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in charted patt.

Cataphyll

by Hunter Hammersen

Leafy branches cut across panels of stockinette and fine ribbing

Construction: Top down, flap heel

Finished Size: 7 (8, 9)" (18 [20.5, 23] cm) foot circumference and 7¾ (8½, 9¼)" (19.5 [21.5, 23.5] cm) long from back of heel to tip of toe; foot length is adjustable.

Yarn: Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering (75% superwash Merino wool, 20% cashmere, 5% nylon; 385 yd [352 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): dandy lion, 1 skein

Needles: U.S. size 1 (2.25 mm)

Notions: Markers (m); tapestry needle

Gauge: 32 sts and 48 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st.

Zokni kötés

by Laura Halfpenny

Knotty stockings inspired by Hungarian folkwear

Construction: Toe up, flap heel

Finished Size: 7" (18 cm) foot circumference and 9" (23 cm) long from back of heel to tip of toe; foot length is adjustable.

Yarn: Ella Rae Lace Merino(100% superwash Merino wool; 460 yd [421 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): #9 mustard (MC), #30 cherry red (CC1), and #131 orange fire (CC2), 1 skein each. Yarn distributed by Knitting Fever.

Needles: U.S. size 3 (3.25 mm)

Notions: Markers (m); tapestry needle.

Gauge: 34 sts and 48 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st; 44 sts and 48 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in bobble patt, relaxed.

Features

Try This: Two Socks at a Time by Kate Atherley

Tech: Colorful Cast-ons for Cuffs

Eye on Design: Hunter Hammersen's Chamber of Wonders by Leslie Ordal

Departments

Great Yarns

Self-striping yarns for hassle-free color

Try These

Stylish sock sacks and satchels

The Last Stitch

Caption this cartoon! See here for details.

There's so much to love in this issue of Sockupied!

Cheers,

New Adventures in Sokkusu

Anne Merrow — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 23:30:00 GMT

The digital world moves fast, but Alice Yu moves faster.

The Deuce socks, which Alice Yu designed for the Spring 2013 Sockupied, were named for her adorable pug.

Just as the Spring 2013 issue of Sockupied went on sale in the Knitting Daily store, Alice and her company, Socktopus, took a major step in a new direction. As we mentioned in our Eye on Design profile, Alice developed the yarn line Sokkusu to be just the type of yarn she wants. She partnered with (not employed, as we misstated in the article) dyer Ai-Ling Lee in the yarn venture.

With all the changes in Alice’s life—including moving to Hong Kong and welcoming her daughter—the partners decided that going forward Ling will continue to make Sokkusu yarn separate from Socktopus. After a brief reorganization, Sokkusu should be available again later this year under a new company yet to be named. For the time being, the Socktopus store page is inactive.

Alice gives the details of these big changes in a post on her blog, where she also drops a tantalizing hint of what’s to come: two new mystery designs, one sock and one shawl knitalong.

Craving more designs from Alice Yu?

We discovered an extra copy of the U.S. edition of Socktopus: 17 Pairs of Socks to Knit and Show Off in our office and couldn’t resist the opportunity to share with one lucky sock knitter. Since Sokkusu began as Alice Yu’s ideal sock yarn, we’d like to know: In 5 words or less, what makes a sock yarn perfect for you? Email us your answer at sockupied@interweave.com by March 5, 2013 (subject line: Socktopus book). If we publish your answer on the blog, we’ll send you a copy of Socktopus.

Happy sock knitting!

Sockupied Spring 2013 Preview

Anne Merrow — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 23:00:00 GMT

The Spring 2013 issue of Sockupied is almost here, but we couldn't resist giving you a peek at the goodies included. In addition to articles about techniques such as short-row heels and knitting socks that fit, this issue includes five brand-new designs for sock-knitting bliss. Whether you prefer your socks toe-up or top-down, intricate or simple, and colorful or plain, you'll find the perfect pattern for your next pair of socks.

The Mac and PC versions of Sockupied will be available from the Knitting Daily Store on January 30, but the iPad version is available now.

Projects

Uloborus Socks

by Claire Ellen

Spider-inspired lacy beauties

Construction: Top down, flap heel

Finished Size: 5½ (6½, 7¼)" (14 [16.5, 18.5] cm) foot circumference and 7 (7½, 8½)" (18 [19, 21.5] cm) long from back of heel to tip of toe; foot length is adjustable. Socks shown measure 7¼" (18.5 cm).

Yarn: Abstract Fiber Mighty Sock (50% Merino, 50% Tencel; 382 yd [349 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): little black dress, 1 skein.

Needles: U.S. size 1 (2.25 mm): set of double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Markers (m); tapestry needle.

Gauge: 36 sts and 48 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st.

Bockleton Socks

by Rachel Coopey

Twisted-stitch texture and classic colorwork

Construction: Top down, flap heel

Finished Size: 7½ (9)" (19 [23] cm) foot circumference and 9 (9¾)" (23 [25] cm) long from back of heel to tip of toe; foot length is adjustable. Socks shown measure 7½" (19 cm).

Yarn: Regia 4-ply (75% superwash new wool, 25% polyamide; 230 yd [210 m]/1¾ oz [50 g]): #1968 grey (MC), 2 balls; #540 royal (CC1), #1970 pigeon blue (CC2), #1988 lavender (CC3), 1 ball each.

Needles: U.S. size 1½ (2.5 mm): set of double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Markers (m); tapestry needle.

Gauge: 32 sts and 44 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st.

Totem

by Jennifer Crowley

An iconic design for wild colors or subtle solids

Construction: Toe up, short-row heel

Finished Size: 5¾ (7½, 8¾)" (14.5 [19, 22] cm) foot circumference and 8½ (10¼, 11¾)" (21.5 [26, 30] cm) long from back of heel to tip of toe; to fit women’s U.S. shoe size 6½ (8½, 10½). Socks shown measure 7½" (19 cm).

Yarn: Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock (80% Merino, 20% nylon; 430 yd [393 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): flannery (orange) or gavin (green), 1 (2, 2) skein(s).

Needles: U.S. size 1½ (2.5 mm): set of double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Markers (m); removable m; tapestry needle.

Gauge: 39 sts and 52 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st.

Deuce

by Alice Yu

Double diamonds dance with a colorful yarn

Construction: Top down, short-row heel

Finished Size: 6½ (7½, 8½)" (16.5 [19, 21.5] cm) foot circumference, 7¼ (8¼, 9¼)" (18.5 [21, 23.5] cm) leg circumference, and 8½ (9, 9½)" (21.5 [23, 24] cm) long from back of heel to tip of toe; foot length is adjustable. Socks shown measure 7½" (19 cm).

Yarn: Socktopus Sokkusu Original (100% superwash Merino; 433 yd [396 m]/4¼ oz [120 g]): triton, 1 (2, 2) skein(s).

Needles: U.S. size 1½ (2.5 mm): set of double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Markers (m); tapestry needle.

Gauge: 34 sts and 52 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st; 35 sts and 88 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in Deuce patt.

Bowden Cable Socks

by Kim Haesemeyer

Cables go traveling, up cuff and down heel

Construction: Top down, flap heel

Finished Size: 7½ (8¼, 9)" (19 [21, 23] cm) foot circumference and 7½ (8, 9)" (19 [20.5, 23] cm) long from back of heel to tip of toe; foot length is adjustable. Socks shown measure 8¼" (21 cm).

Yarn: String Theory Merino DK (100% superwash Merino; 280 yd [256 m]/4 oz [113 g]): eureka, 1 (1, 2) skein(s).

Needles: U.S. size 4 (3.5 mm): set of double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: Markers (m); cable needle (cn); tapestry needle.

Gauge: 24 sts and 37 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in St st.

Features

Try This: Your Feet, Your Fit by Kate Atherley

Tech: Short-rows for Socks

Eye on Design: Join the (Sock) Club by Mary Seals

Departments

Great Yarns

Squishy alpaca for soft socks

Try These

Books & apps for sock knitters

The Last Stitch

Caption this cartoon! See here for details.

There's so much to love in this issue of Sockupied!

Cheers,

Circling Back

Anne Merrow — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:30:00 GMT

Work in progress to finished object!

When Eunny Jang knitted the Cochin Shrug for EntreKnits, she had several extra balls of yarn left over. It’s a lovely yarn, Rowan Felted Tweed, and as I looked at the sizing I realized I could make myself a shrug out of the remaining 5 balls. I could finish it before the eMag came out and put it on Ravelry!

Eunny Jang's Cochin Shrug

As always, I cast on with the best of intentions. But something came up, as it always does, and the half-finished shrug was buried in the other WiPs in my closet. I’d reached the halfway point, where the excitement of beginning had begun to wane and the excitement of reaching the end hadn’t quite kicked in.

So when we decided earlier this year to begin offering patterns from back issues of eMags for sale in the Knitting Daily Store, there was a new urgency to finish the shrug. (No one would know whether I finished it or not, of course, but a deadline is so motivating…)

I finished it earlier this month, just in time for our sudden drop from balmy to brr, and have been wearing it ever since. At first I was a little concerned about the fit; between casting on and finishing I worked hard on slimming down. (I know, the world’s tiniest violin is playing just for me…) However, the loose fit is just in time for the resurgence of dolman sleeves.

Mathematical to Modular


Soap Bubble Hat by Norah Gaughan

Eunny is an entrelac expert, so when we were planning an issue called EntreKnits I knew she should be part of it. At the time, she was wondering what new uses she could come up with for entrelac. She thought about turning it on its side, which would mean a piece knitted from cuff to cuff. She thought of increasing and decreasing in pattern, shaping the body without adding more entrelac units. Finally, she thought of a twist on a circular shrug, but rendered in three dimensions and rotated on its axis. The result is a sort of sphere hinged along the hemisphere, a bit like the Chinese lanterns for which it is named. (Maybe my high-school calculus teacher should have taught us with knitting patterns in the round in addition to x, y, and z axes.)


	Lancaster Blanket by Anna Grace Farrow

When we finished the photo shoot I returned the shrug to Eunny. With the number of knitting patterns created over the years, she has a trunk full of wonderful designs. However, she finds that this simple shrug is one she reaches for again and again.

You can now find this and the other patterns from EntreKnits in the Knitting Daily shop. EntreKnits is still available for Mac and PC, and earlier this year Eunny’s entrelac video workshop hit the shelves. Enjoy!

Inspired Knitting Designs

Anne Merrow — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:30:00 GMT

The Sources of Knitting Inspiration

One of the best parts about creating Interweave’s knitting eMags is working with designers and writers. I love seeing the results of their creativity, and I often wonder where they find all these great ideas for new knitting designs. After the issue of each new eMag is out, I have a wonderful excuse to visit them at their digital homes: knitting blogs. Seeing their thoughts on the issue is just an introduction to their wonderful bloggy worlds.


	Lucinda Guy's Maarika Bag draws its bold color palette and print from textiles of Transylvania and the Wiener Werkstätte.


Rebecca Blair's Madder Stockings, inspired by an antique Shetland bridal veil.

When Rebecca Blair first read the call for submissions for LaceKnits, she took it as an opportunity to create her own interpretation of one of her favorite lace pieces: the Ivory and Madder Wedding Veil, a spectacular piece of lace knitting created for an international exposition in 1891. Rebecca’s blog chronicles the combination of inspiration and hard work that eventually created the spectacular Madder Stockings. (The results are now available in LaceKnits for PC and Mac as well as for the iPad.)

In many cases, I see the results of the inspiration first and only see the source of the idea later. One of Lucinda Guy’s blog posts shows pictures of the ideas behind for the Maarika Bag, which is featured on the cover of ColorKnits. Although the photographs of women walking together in Transylvania and the textiles of the Wiener Werkstätte are shown in black and white, the contrasting colors and bold prints are easy to see. (Lucinda’s blog is always fun to visit for the little animated dancing bird and flower.)


	The Blueschist rocks of the California coast inspired Alice Starmore to create the Sea Ranch beret.


Ann Weaver shows you how to create striking color palettes for your knits with her Complementary Cowl.

The Wiener Werkstätte was also a fertile source of ideas for Ann Weaver’s design for ColorKnits, who designed the Complementary Cowl by knitting color blocks inspired by Johannes Itten’s classes in color theory. Her article on using a complementary color scheme describes how to find inspiration using favorite images and a color wheel. Ann loves bold and graphic color combinations—check out the sweater she plans to wear with her cowl!

In the Fall 2012 issue of ColorKnits, Alice Starmore shares many details about finding her ideas for color knitting. Her inspirations often come from the natural world, whether it’s her native Hebrides or geological marvels from her travels. Visiting the website for her Virtual Yarns, you can see photographs of the birds, plants, and stones of her home on the Isle of Lewis along with the colorways they inspire. ColorKnits includes photographs of her recent trip to California, which created the inspiration for her Sea Ranch Beret—a memory in yarn.

If lace knitting and knitted colorwork inspire you—whether it’s to pick up needles and yarn or just to marvel at the creativity of these designers!—I hope you’ll check out LaceKnits and ColorKnits. Although they were initially available only for the iPad, these issues (and all of our eMags) are now available for Mac, PC, and iPad.

Happy knitting,

Sock Knitting Smarts

Anne Merrow — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 22:00:00 GMT

The world's most intriguing inventions may have started when one clever person wondered, "What would happen if I . . . ?" The new issue of Sockupied (our fifth!) is full of sock knitters who have pondered that very question.

Stefanie Bold asked what would happen if an asymmetrical cable twisted down the outside of the leg and disappeared, only to peek out inside the foot and run down to the toe. Her answer is the Emerging Cable Socks, a design with unexpected twists around every corner.

The Emerging Cable Socks by Stefanie bold take a winding path from cuff to toe.

What would happen if you worked a short-row heel and toe—but skipped the short-row part? Candace Eisner Strick tried it and discovered a new way of knitting socks (with a brand-new cast-on to go with it). Knit her Semaphore Socks and see for yourself what happens when you knit a completely reversible sock.

The Semaphore Socks by Candace Eisner Strick are designed for a man—but with four sizes, they're sure to please any foot.

After reading about the nearly forgotten technique of garter Jacquard, Franklin Habit experimented until he not only learned it but also adapted it to work in the round. His student Leslie Comstock tried pairing it with a gusset worked underfoot and created the Turkish-inspired Turnalar Socks.

With a pattern inspired by a Turkish folk design, the Turnalar Socks combine garter-stitch and stockinette-stitch Jacquard.

What would happen if you decreased more frequently on one side of the toe than the other? If you challenged yourself to design 24 original sock patterns inspired by indie hand-dyers? How about adopting the Community-Supported Agriculture model to sock knitting? What if a handknitted sock faced off against a store-bought sock in a heated political rivalry?

Find the answers to these questions and many more in the Fall 2012 issue of Sockupied, which is available now in the Knitting Daily store for Mac and PC and through the App Store for iPad.

Let your imagination run wild. What will you clever sock knitters think of next?

Happy knitting,

Sockupied Patterns (and a sock design contest)

Anne Merrow — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 11:00:00 GMT

PDFs by Popular Demand

Ever since the first issue of Sockupied came out in 2010, some knitters have been asking for the patterns to be available individually as PDF downloads. Well, with four issues out (and a fifth coming soon!), we’re putting most of the patterns from our back issues into the Knitting Daily pattern store.


Oak + Acorn Socks by SpillyJane	Escadaria Socks by Kristi Geraci	Passerine Socks by Cookie A

So if you’ve been hankering to knit the Passerine Socks by Cookie A (the featured designer in our premiere issue) or Spillyjane’s Oak + Acorn Socks are just what you want to knit this fall, then you can get these—along with ten other ones—today.


Muscadine Socks by Star Athena	Caret + Chevron Socks by Chrissy Gardiner	Gansey Clock Socks by Ann Budd

We plan to keep adding more from other eMags, so if you’ve had your eye on a particular pattern, check back in the store periodically.

Camel Socks Save Snow Leopards

The Snow Leopard Trust was organized to preserve the endangered snow leopard, which is native to Central Asia. (They are impossibly cute—though that might be my affection for big cats coming through…) To support their efforts, the group sells 100% Bactrian camel wool yarn in a variety of colors, both natural and dyed.

This fall the Trust is holding a Sock Design Contest to feature their yarn, and they’re looking for original beginner to intermediate sock patterns. The full details of the competition can be found here, along with images of the most adorable cubs you’ve ever seen. Submissions are due October 1, 2012.

Enjoy!

Knit Colors Fit for a Queen

Anne Merrow — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 22:47:00 GMT

I wonder what the Queen's wearing today...

We're finishing up the Fall 2012 issue of ColorKnits: A Fresh Look at Technique and Tradition, and as I was editing the review of color tools to inspire knitters, I came across this timely new product!

Pantone (which sets worldwide color standards and and just released their fall color forecast) teamed up with advertising firm Leo Burnett to create a limited edition color guide in honor of Queen Elizabeth's diamond jubilee. The Queen's palette is full of blue and pink tints with some yellow too—not the bold complementary color schemes we'll be exploring in the next ColorKnits, but colors that work well for Her Highness. The Pantone site says:

"To mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, this bespoke, limited-edition, numbered colour guide is designed to capture and commemorate some of the Queen's most memorable colour choices since her coronation - featuring PANTONE® Colour references and citing the date and location that determined her outfit colour choice."

Like the Queen, you undoubtedly have your own favorite colors (although HRH undoubtedly has colours). In our next issue, Ann Weaver will teach you to expand your horizons with complementary color schemes. We've also found some tools from simple to sophisticated to help choose yarns for a colorful project, including some just for knitters and some used by fine artists everywhere.

This issue won't be available until next month, but in the meantime you can check out the Fall 2011 edition at the Knitting Daily shop.

Links and Resources for Sock Knitters

Anne Merrow — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:00:00 GMT

The Knit-alongs for Simply Sockupied have been full of great information, whether it’s specific advice for a particular question or suggestions on where to look for help. If you want to learn to knit socks, check out these 12 resources for sock knitting happiness.

Great Starts!

Designer Ann Budd and Knitscene assistant editor Amy Palmer both swear by the Old Norwegian Cast-on for socks (also known as the Twisted German Cast-on). It’s stretchy but not hard to work and makes a great sock cuff.

Knitting Daily editor Kathleen Cubley gives written directions, illustrations, plus a video, as part of her Crazy for Cast-ons series.

Several of our KALers also liked the helpful video lesson by Knit Purl Hunter or the video tutorial from Very Pink.

Old Norwegian Cast-on

Needles Every Which Way

Learning to knit socks with the Magic Loop method has been an adventure for a number of knitters. Eunny Jang demonstrates this method (along with two other ways of knitting on circular needles) in Episode 701 of Knitting Daily TV. (If one circular needle isn’t enough, Cat Bordhi demonstrates her technique for knitting socks on two circular needles in Episode 510.) And Kathleen posted her own tutorial for working the “magical magic loop.”

Very Pink came in handy again with a series of seven videos on knitting socks with Magic Loop.

And knitters who prefer to knit socks on dpns (the old-fashioned, tried and true way!) got some help from a video by Dorret Conway.

A Misstep? No Problem!

Kathleen Cubley ‘fessed up to working a stitch or two incorrectly during some knitting fun time, and she posted a video on how to unknit—or tink (which is knit spelled backward…). And Very Pink (sensing a trend!) has a tinking video, too.

A Fine Finish

If you've gotten all the way to the toe but can't quite figure out the Kitchener stitch to finish it, maybe one of these videos will help. Way back in Episode 208 of Knitting Daily TV, Jan Gratz of YarnMarket.com demonstrated grafting a toe—and the video is available for free on the InterweaveVideos YouTube channel.

KnittingHelp.com has its own Kitchener stitch tutorial, too.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Thanks to the great participants of the Simply Sockupied Knit-along for their great finds. It’s not too late to join in and knit your first (or next) pair of socks!

Cheers,

Simply Sockupied Debut

Anne Merrow — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:00:00 GMT

If you have the iPad version of Sockupied, you might have noticed something pop up in the app recently: a new issue called Simply Sockupied. We’re launching the Mac and PC versions this week in the Knitting Daily shop.

So what is Simply Sockupied? When the first issue of Sockupied came out in 2010, many of our readers were excited about discovering new sock knitting challenges, but a few knitters were looking for information about knitting their very first pairs of socks.

Over the past two years, as Sockupied has focused on unusual sock constructions and ways to customize your socks, we discovered more and more people who wanted to take the sock-knitting plunge and were hoping for a few lessons.

I also realized that although I love knitting socks with lace and unusual architecture, the socks I have on the needles most often are the simplest ones. Ann Budd noticed the same thing; her book Sock Knitting Master Class includes complex designs, but she most often casts on a simple ribbed sock. (She shares her favorite sock pattern in this issue.)

We decided that it was time to create a special issue of Sockupied just for knitters like these: beginning sock knitters, knitters wanting to make their first pairs of toe-up socks, and knitters looking for easier but still addictive projects.

Ann Budd's "Go-To Socks" are the socks she most often knits for herself. Knit from the top down in a simple K3, P1 rib, they make a perfect first pair for beginning sock knitters.

To work the patterns in Simply Sockupied, you should know the basics of knitting (how to knit and purl and have a basic idea of how to cast on, bind off, increase, and decrease). But we’ll teach you the specific skills needed to make each pair of socks with written directions, video demonstrations, and illustrations.

And because we couldn’t possibly anticipate every question you might have, we also decided to host a Simply Sockupied Knit-along. Join over a dozen Interweavers who will be working patterns from the issue at the same time you are—some beginners and some experts.

It’s a great place to find tips and tricks and to ask questions about knitting the specific patterns or about knitting socks in general. We’re here to help!

Check out the last page of Simply Sockupied to meet the Interweavers who will be knitting along with you!

Cheers,

Simply Sockupied Knit-along: Knit Socks with Interweave

Anne Merrow — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the Simply Sockupied Knit-along! We’re knitting the five patterns from Simply Sockupied: Ann Budd’s Go-To Socks Deb Barnhill’s Speed Bump Socks Anne Merrow’s Up + Down Socks Angela Davis’s Custom Cuff Socks Judy Alexander’s Simply Elegant Cable Socks
		Ann's Go-To Socks



Custom Cuff Socks		Up + Down Socks

We’re beginning when the issue comes out (2/24/12) and continuing until we’re done—there isn’t an official expiration date for this project.

We may need to come up with some motivation to collectively battle Second Sock Syndrome, though!

Speed Bump Socks

Here's how a knit-along works:

Buy your pattern (in Simply Sockupied, through the app store for the iPad version or through the Knitting Daily Shop for the Mac or PC version).
Buy your yarn (or find it in your stash).
Log on to the forum and introduce yourself and tell us which yarn you're using. The forum is where all of the fun is; it's where you'll share your tips, ask questions, or upload photos, and it's where you'll find support if you're having problems.
Post a photo of your finished socks when you're done.

It's as easy as that. Now let's get started!

Simply Elegant Cable Socks

5 Great Things about Sock Knitting

Anne Merrow — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:41:00 GMT


Lorilee Beltman's Our Paths Cross Socks

My first pair of handknitted socks ended in tears when my Dad felted them—but somehow I caught sock knitting fever anyway. What makes me love them so?

Let me count the ways...

5 Great Things about Knitting Socks

1. You can make socks fit perfectly.


	The Leapfrog Socks pattern turns handpaints and solids alike into a playfully patterned pair.


	*Cat Bordhi keeps finding new ways to knit socks. Learn about her latest invention, the Sweet Tomato Heel, in the new issue of Sockupied.*

Let's face it—feet are weird. They have some strange lumps and bumps that are necessary to accomplish everything we ask them to do, which can make for some odd fit issues. When you knit socks, you can adapt them to your own foot. In this issue, Kate Atherley explains how she developed a "Naïve Gusset" to customize a short-row heel.

2. You can use your brightest, most colorful handpainted yarn—or stick with subtle solids.
There are colorful yarns that would stop traffic if you used them in a sweater. If you're not eager for a pile-up, then socks are the perfect place to use them. Debbie O'Neill's Leapfrog Socks are this issue's One Sock, Two Ways pattern—they're lovely in yarns from demure to dazzling.

3. There is always something new to try.
Cat Bordhi, one of the most imaginative knitters we know, thought she'd already found the best way to knit socks . . . until she developed the Sweet Tomato Heel. Cat demonstrates her new technique, tells about her sock adventures, and offers a brand-new pattern in this issue.


What better way to feel delightfully indulged than to knit and wear Deborah Newton's sumptuous stockings?

4. They're the ultimate way to pamper yourself.
There's nothing like pulling on a perfect pair of socks in chilly weather to make me feel like I'm taking great care of myself. This issue, Deborah Newton's over-the-knee Frost Feather Stockings are a cozy indulgence to knit and wear when you need a little tender loving care.

5. Socks are fun.
Don't take my word for it. Listen to the three talented poets who took socks as their muse and created witty limericks that will have you in stitches.

Plus . . . 3 Great Things about Sockupied

1. The Spring 2012 Sockupied is our largest ever. With six original patterns plus plenty of techniques, interviews, and more, this issue includes more of what you love about sock knitting.

2. It's available for the iPad. You can take Sockupied with you on the go when you buy the iPad version—or download the PC or Mac version for your desktop or laptop. It's available at our lowest price ever.

3. We heard you! Each issue of Sockupied—even the latest—is now available for only $4.99.

Go check out Sockupied, and start the new year on the right foot.

Cheers,

Inside e-Knitting Magazines : Knitting Daily

Sockupied Summer 2013 Preview

New Adventures in Sokkusu

Sockupied Spring 2013 Preview

Circling Back

Inspired Knitting Designs

Sock Knitting Smarts

Sockupied Patterns (and a sock design contest)

Knit Colors Fit for a Queen

I wonder what the Queen's wearing today...

Links and Resources for Sock Knitters

Simply Sockupied Debut

Simply Sockupied Knit-along: Knit Socks with Interweave

Welcome to the Simply Sockupied Knit-along!

5 Great Things about Sock Knitting