Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Question #4

Hi Knitters,
Today I am answering another question. This is a question I get all of the time not just over the past couple of weeks. I have also received this question on ravelry several times. So without further ado here it goes.

Question #4: What sock pattern do you use for the ribbed socks?
Answer: I have no idea exactly what pattern I used for learning to knit socks and when exactly I started ribbing them. This pattern is everywhere you look. It is a basic sock pattern and I am telling you it is in almost every sock book available. I have no clue who originally wrote this pattern or where it came from. It is just a basic sock pattern with a k3, p1 thrown in. I memorized this sock pattern so many years ago that it has become my go-to project every single time. It is permanently stuck in my brain. I suggest you memorize your favorite sock pattern so you just know exactly what to do when you are knitting on the go.

I love this pattern and when I knit a different sock pattern I am often disappointed and I wish I would have stuck to my old ribbed socks. It is fun to knit and the rib makes the socks fit your feet and ankle just right. I have recently mentioned how I have a dresser drawer filled with these ribbed hand knit socks. Can't seem to get enough.
I started searching through my books to see if I could find a pattern that would match the one that is sitting in my head. I actually found the exact pattern right down to the extra stitch I like to pick up on the gusset set up to help get rid of those nasty holes.
It is in a wonderful book by Ann Budd and I know I have mentioned it before. I suggest every sock knitter have this fantastic resource, Getting Started Knitting Socks. I found the pattern I use on page 76. The pattern is for the Fibonacci Stripes Socks. You can use this pattern for self-striping, variegated or solid colors of sock yarn.
Also you can use any fingering weight yarn to knit the socks I make. I always knit on a set of 4 US size 2 dpns and I always cast on 64 stitches. It seems to work for me with all of the yarns I have used and that's a pretty long list. I make the cuff 5-6 inches long before I start the heel flap. The needles I use are 6 inches long so many times I use this as my measurement while I am knitting the cuff. I am sure all of this isn't perfect but I'm sticking to it. The Fibonacci Stripes Socks will give you this exact ribbed pattern (k3, p1) that I have used for all of these socks for all of these years, just ignore the stripe pattern or not.
Another place I have found this pattern is in Charlene Schurch's, Sensational Knitted Socks, which is another great resource for sock knitters. And after starting a new pair of ribbed socks a couple of nights ago I found the same basic pattern for free on backside of the label of the Jitterbug sock yarn I am using. If you buy some Colinette Jitterbug you will get that pattern with the yarn.

The same cast on 64 stitches right through to the toe, you can add in the k3, p1 rib or you can always do a plain stockinette stitch. The basic sock pattern casting on 64 stitches, using a heel flap and a decreased toe with kitchener's stitch to finish is available all over the place. I didn't search the web but I am sure it is available for free somewhere out there.

One more terrific break down of a sock comes in recipe form from Stephanie Pearl-McPhee in this book. I know everyone has probably already read this but I can't say enough good things about the information Stephanie has included in this little paperback book. It is worth so much more than it costs, good deal. Her explanation or recipe for "A Good, Plain Sock (knit from the cuff down)" made me think about my socks in a much clearer way. She has general information gathered in here for socks, hats, scarves and shawls, and sweaters. It is a plethora of valuable knitting tips, tricks and stuff you just need to know. If you don't have Knitting Rules you should go get it!

One last thing on this topic, I love working in a sportweight or dk weight yarn for socks as well as fingering weight. Talk about a fast way to knit a pair of socks. What I always do here is on a set of 4 US size 4 dpns I cast on 48 stitches and I work the exact same pattern on this heavier weight yarn. The exact pattern I use for dk weight yarn is in Getting Started Knitting Socks on page 58. Ann's pattern is listed for worsted weight or 5 stitches per inch but it works for me with the sportweight yarns, too.

Have a good Wednesday and go knit some ribbed socks!
best, susie

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

we are of like minds when it comes to knitting socks. A simple ribbed sock is a bit more interesting to knit than plain stockinette, but with both, the pattern is easy to memorize. I have both books you recommend and they are at the top of my list also. Basic good instructions. I try fancier socks once in awhile, but get frustrated. I need to be more patient one of these days and sit quietly with a pattern and finish a wowser pair of socks. But with such great yarns, one could easily knit ribbed or plain socks forever and leave more complicated patterns for other use.
Mary Ann

Becky said...

This was great to see! I've been checking into your blog for some time now enjoying all there is to knitting. I am catching the knitting bug. I just started my first pair for socks from the Getting Started. So far, so good. They are just like the pattern you mentioned minus the ribbing on the instep. I will remember to add it on the next pair. I made my sock length longer. We'll see if that is a good thing or not. The fingerling weight takes me quite some time. I hope to stay motivated and finished the pair - just in time for the warm summer weather:)

Tracy Batchelder said...

64 stitches on US 1 is what I use with fingering weight. I have Priscilla Gibson-Roberts' formula for socks memorized. They fit me just right every time. I sometimes look for stitch patterns I can plug into 64 stitches to change it up, but a plain old sock is really my favorite way to go.

Dianne MacDonald said...

Great sock advice!

Dianne MacDonald said...

Great sock advice!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for making this so clear! I'm always confused when i start socks, and I haven't yet been able to use the fingering weight successfully. I've only done heavier wool socks.

Your post has given me the courage to try out some of that yummy sock yarn I had to have!

Jean in Joppa

Anonymous said...

How cool is this! Your timing with this question was perfect. I just started my first pair of socks (using the recommended Ann Budd book, doncha know! Ha!), but didn't care for the style of stitching I was using on the top. So... after reading your post I pulled it all out and started again - K3P1. LOVE it! Thank YOU!

Munkeh said...

If anyone is looking for a simple sock pattern search in Google for "Super Simple Sock Pattern" by Terry Royea (free). There are lots of helpful pix. Its a good pattern and easy tofollow the pattern - specially for the first-time sock knitters.

Mim said...

Do you make this pattern for men's and children's socks too? If so how many stitches do you cast on for them? I have two of the books you mentioned so I'm half way there.

Susan B. Anderson said...

Hi Mim,
Yes to the children's socks. I knit them for my 8 year old daughter. With fingering weight sock yarn and US size 2 dpns, I cast on 48 stitches and this seems to work great for her.
Thanks for asking.
susan

Mim said...

Thanks Susan. I just finished my firt pair of socks, for myself, of course. LOL And both of my boys are now hounding me for their own pair.

Anonymous said...

I love the yarn you used for the socks in the first picture. Do you remember what it is? Thanks.

Susan B. Anderson said...

The sock yarn in the first photo in from Sunshine Yarns and it is called Weasley Wizard Wheezes. sunsineyarns.com

best, susie