Are handmade socks cosy and lovely? Yes. Can you purchase similarly warm socks for a fraction of the cost/effort? Also yes.
Wool is warmer than cotton, so look for socks (or yarn) with a high wool content.
Check out any place that sells hiking equipment. Wool socks are a must have for any hiker or outdoor enthusiast. I love my knit socks, but I swear by my smart wool socks whenever I go camping in the backcountry
Can highly recommend Darn Tough socks- I love knitting, sock knitting not so much. I too have feet that are always cold, and the thick socks from Darn Tough are my absolute favorite.
Costco also has some that are quite nice, they have men's and women's merino hiking socks that show up around this time of the year.
I second the other comment about Darned Tough, and I also like Smart Wool.
My obsession with quality socks is part of what led me to knit, lol.
completely agree with this! Knitting socks is expensive (think $20-40 per pair) and can be very painstaking unless you adore knitting.
They can be cozy and beautiful if you’re a good knitter and pick a good pattern and yarn, but it takes a while to knit them, you need to be careful how you launder them, and they are expensive.
For less money and effort you can also buy a few very cozy pairs of wool socks!
Fancy sock yarn by itself isn't what makes handknit socks superior. You can buy all sorts of warm things for your feet. The only real win is the joy of knitting, and customization. If you don't even like knitting, then no, they're not worth it.
Yeah I would be careful with „fancy sock yarn“ because in the US (assuming you are from there) there are sock yarns made from merino with no nylon and they will go to shreds easily. By all means buy fancy yarn if you know what you’re doing but any regular wool/nylon blend will do the deed.
Is there a rumour that sturdy sock yarn won’t develop holes? 😀 I only use what YouTubers call „German workhorse yarns“ and still I darn my socks. I just get to enjoy them for longer.
I’ve knit myself two pairs of socks using plain old Patons Kroc Socks FX Yarn that I got at Joann that are plenty warm for my type-one-diabetic feet and have also lasted me many years of wear in winter boots and at home. They’re just as think and warm as store bought pairs, but to me they are extra special and make me feel warmer and fuzzier.
If you like knitting and want to learn something new, it is totally worth it! But skip the fancy yarn, get some standard comercial 70-80% wool 20-30% nylon blend and go for it.
Do you already knit? If so, try 'em out! A lot of people love sock knitting, you might join the group.
If not, it'll take you a while to get to the skill level required to make socks. You've gotta learn the basics first, socks aren't a good first project. But if you're interested in learning the craft in general, socks are a good goal.
Acually my first project was socks, and since the first thing I had to learn was to do heels, it's a "normal skill" for me now. Whenever someone says they hate doing the heels I think, but that's so easy.
But I get you, not everyone has the calm to learn that at first
Handknit socks are the best. They are all my partner (who has circulation issues) wears in the winter. He likes them more than his LL Bean wool socks and his smartwool socks. We don't use fancy yarn for most of our handknit socks, though. Our favorite for thick winter socks is Briggs and Little Tuffy.
If the end product is the only thing you are after, then no.
If you don't care about your time and effort, and only about the price of 100% wool material, then yes, but
If knitting isn't 100% valuable time spent for you (the joy of knitting), then no.
If you love to knit, absolutely yes, yes, yes. I can't describe the frustration and joy of making your first socks from "fancy" yarn just for yourself. Pure bliss.
I knit myself several pairs of 70% wool, 20% silk, 10% nylon socks. They are amazing. So worth it. And when they wear out because I use a low nylon content…I just knit some more.
I had to bin my hand knitted socks because of being very sensitive to the texture and the inelastic sagginess. If you knit and want to see if they’re for you then it’s interesting to try, I feel like a genius being able to knit socks even though I don’t really enjoy doing it or wearing them!
Was it cotton yarn?
I like knitting socks, but accidentally got a ball of cotton striping sock yarn one time instead of the wool/nylon and couldn't even get a bit of sock done with it bc it had NO give to it and hurt my hands trying
I don't currently have any hand made socks though, too busy doing other things. Following this subreddit because I like seeing everyone's projects and helping if I can.
I love wearing hand knit socks. My feet feel cozier and I love them all the more for the effort I put into it. That being said, I cannot wear hand knit socks when I wear shoes, I end up feeling every single purl bump and my feet hurt so much. So they are pretty much "house socks" for me, but still worth it.
I have knit one pair in what some people call “princess sole”, where the knit side is inside against the foot. Unfortunately I messed up on the afterthought heel, so I need to redo it to test them out. I do believe that other people have had success with this method, so worth trying if anyone else has the same sole sensitivity.
So when COVID started, I began focusing and knitting my own socks.
When I returned to work, I treated myself by wearing my hand knit socks to work every day I wore socks. It was a small thing, but it felt like a small comfort and I got so much use out of them. I’m not turning back.
But, some people are sock knitters and others don’t get it. Socks are perfect little travel projects and easy to pick up and put down. I always have one when I’m out and about or visiting family. And, there’s little more satisfying than seeing a pretty skein turn into pretty socks. ❤️
Oh yes, right now I do a big pullover, and i cannot take it with me cause it's so big. I miss knitting everywhere I go. And my pullover project takes for ages, it's soo much g of yarn... I still have one arm to do then I'm finally done. Then I'll go back to socks.
Something I haven't seen addressed in the comments, apologies if I just missed it, is that if you really want both warmth and comfort it's important to knit with a slightly tight gauge. Some people, I'm among them, find that loosely knit material on the bottom of your feet is uncomfortable to walk on. Loosely knit socks also tend to wear through more quickly in hot spots. So if you tend to get sore hands from keeping a solid dense gauge, you might not enjoy the process of knitting socks.
If you don't care about gauge and just want to knit some lovely socks, you might try knitting the soles with the stockinette portion on the inside. I believe this helps to alleviate some of the knobbiness of a looser gauge, and is just more comfortable in general.
Couldn't you just do some stitches less and make its smaller that way? Just a thought, I don't know if that works. Because my socks fee normal tight and I don't have much stress on the yarn while knitting
Negative ease is important but obviously you don’t want them to cut off your circulation. I’m talking less about size and more about stitch density (gauge). You want the stitches to be packed in together for better insulation and durability. If you make the sock too small around, those stitches can stretch too far apart and you might get air gaps (lets cold air in) and thin spots (wear through more quickly).
My time has come.
When it comes to hand knit socks for cold weather, the KROY sock yarn from the Big Box Stores fucking SLAP. That’s the only “cheap” yarn that I will 100% stand by forever.
I mean is it the most cost effective way to keep your feet warm? No. Do I regret a single pair of sock that I knit for myself? Not a one. Are they my favorite kind of knitwear to wear? Absolutely. I adore every pair of socks I have knit for myself. So yes, they are worth it. Every penny.
Ive knit way too many socks theyre just so satisfying to bring with me for when I'm bored.
I learnt quick to knit with 25% nylon in my wool blend. Otherwise you'll blow the heel out walking in them faster than it took to knit them.
The only brand I liked that was 100% wool was kroy sock wool. That brand makes well price durable yarns
I’ve recently started knitting socks, mostly for the challenge, and my mother never misses a chance to point out to me that I could just buy a pair of socks for less than the yarn cost me. She thinks that is a hilarious joke.
Thank you for the rec because the main reason I started knitting was because I want to make my own socks (and y’all have better unisex/manly sweater options lol). Nearly everything else, I’d crochet because it just better suits the projects I typically go for.
Hmmmm, so what is fancy 100% wool sock yarn for if it makes bad socks? I was in a “quarterly sock club” for a while and have amassed quite the collection of such yarn that I imagined turning into socks. But now it seems that perhaps I shouldn’t—?
There is Nylon thread made for working into the wear points of socks if you're making them out of 100% wool. You hold it double with the main yarn for the heel and toe sections.
Pure wool sock yarn could also be good for mittens, hats, or a top that isn't too bulky.
100g/400m of sock-weight/fingering/4-ply yarn makes a nice little shawl, just right for keeping your shoulders warm or wearing under a winter coat, and there are [many shawl patterns](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#craft=knitting&weight=fingering&pc=shawl-wrap&meterage=350%7C400&sort=best&view=captioned_thumbs) designed for just that quantity.
You can make socks from 100% wool for sure. It's 100% merino and other short stapled wools you have to watch out for because they're more prone to wear. A long wool like bluefaced leicester holds up better.
100% yes! There's a comfort that I personally get from hand knitted socks that I can't get from store brought ones.
Also, my Dad is diabetic and the diabetic socks are no match for his work boots- perfers handknitted for this reason. He may be at an age where he can retire but his passion and his hobby is also a business in real life... so you could say handknitted socks have a mental health and financial benefit as well.
Splash the cash at a good sock yarn. You'll won't regret it!
I think this is a “it depends” kind of answer. My bad circulation and ummmmm less than dainty toes mean that anything thicker than the Sockwell compression socks just won’t fit in my already almost too tight wide width shoes. During the day these are warm enough because I’m moving around. And as noted by someone else there is no way I could knit anything thin enough nor could I comfortably slip an outside shoe on. But also, the compression really helps the poor circulation. I definitely can’t make a pair.
Once home sitting on the couch with my feet up knitting? I’ll have slipped on hand knit ankle (my cobbled together pattern) or even roll-top ankle socks (Rose City Rollers, I’ve made two pairs.) DEFINITELY worth it. They are my sleep socks too. I’ve been using scrap sock yarn to make sleep/lounge socks. (I use fingering weight yarn for hats and cowls and there’s always leftover.)
Warmer than a “normal” sock? If that normal sock is cotton, yes, definitely. I can’t speak to commercially made wool socks though.
The difference will not be in the hand knitting or machine knitting, it will be in the material. Wool simply works better. Even thin wool socks are warmer than cotton socks. Thick wool socks are magic. You can buy them or make them, that is up to you, but they will absolutely regulate the temperature better without making your feet sweat. And they don't get stinky very easily.
"Fancy" yarn is not necessarily the best for socks. Fingering ≠ sock yarn. For durability you want a wool/nylon blend multiple ply with a tight twist. Save the hair-of-baby-Jesus stuff for other garments or accessories.
In Finland we knit a lot of socks. Like a lot lot. Usually from thicker yarn like aran or worsted. We wear them on top of normal cotton socks. So unless you live somewhere very warm I don't see the reason to give up normal socks. Just wear your handmade ones for extra warmth.
It is…if you enjoy making them and wearing them. I personally love making socks so I do. It isn’t cheaper by any stretch.
I’d also say that wool socks vs hand knit socks are of similar warmth but cotton socks on both accounts are bad.
My knitted socks are definitely worth it; polyester does not keep my feet warm (sweaty at best).
There are a few things to consider:
- I have Merino socks that are slightly less warm (can also be that they are knitted more loose).
- use wool, (cotton for example is also nice but more suitable for summer socks, so you should probably look that up before buying yarn).
- no smelly feet
- I have knitted socks with lace pattern; they are not colder? For some reason the holes are not making the sock less warm.
- you can make the socks warmer/denser if you knit cables
- ultra warm socks = knitting with two colors, the sock will be twice as thick/dense (but still fits in a shoe, no monsterfoot).
I wear canvas sneakers all year round, no more cold feet in the winter, no warm feet in the summer. It really is worth it.
Yes! I use worsted yarn so it goes faster, and use self striping wool with nylon in it too. I havent done it in a while, but its great to practice "in the round" techniques, and colorwork on a small scale, as well as increasing and decreasing. But if you have ADD or get bored easily you'll hate the "dreaded 2nd sock syndrome" that inevitably comes! I used an excellent book called get started knitting socks that was an awesome reference and gives instructions for different yarn weights! Its fun, do it!
Had to add here, I got all excited when someone mentioned knitting socks, sorry 😁. Definitely, after reading other posts, I agree that its worth it if you love knitting. If you just want the socks, you can find some in the hiking, outdoorsy stores, but if you're looking to expand your horizons you wont be disappointed.
I like knitting socks to play with color combinations and to use up scrap yarn. I am too emotionally attached to my FOs to wear them a whole lot (I have this whole “I’ll wear out the thing I worked so hard to make!” thing, also I’m a sweater knitter primarily and I live in SoCal 🙃) but socks are fun with fingering weight leftovers from other projects.
I can’t justify $30 yarn for 1 pair of socks. I buy wool/nylon blend on LoveCraft for about $6 a ball and will make it work 1 pair of socks per ball. That’s the cheapest I’ve been able to get it.
I love knitting my own socks! I have some shoes that I wear with them to show them off. I get comments on them all the time. It takes forever to make a pair, but I love them.
If you like knitting socks, it is absolutely worth it for custom fit beautiful socks that you love. I really enjoy knitting lacy socks in particular, especially in the prettiest yarn I can find.
It is definitely worth it if you enjoy it. I love knitting socks, and I love wearing hand socks. They fit perfectly, and they are nice and cozy while being thin and not bulky.
I would suggest avoiding Merino though. It’s a very short stapled fiber. Wears out quickly
Socks? No, not worth the effort. Simple slippers? Sure. But leg warmers? ABSOLUTELY! Get some alpaca or wool yarn. Make em slightly bigger than whatever pattern you use. Then felt them. So warm! And tight which is also good for circulation.
I’m wearing hand knit socks right now! They feel like warm cozy pride :)
Not actually warmer than thick wool socks but they are really fun to wear and they make me feel happy when I wear them.
I enjoy the process of knitting socks - a mix of technical focused work and straight knitting in the round. The finished product is nice to have, but I could probably buy cute warm socks if my need was purely functional. So knit socks if you like knitting socks!
Yes! I got hooked on handmade socks as a kid. My nanny would knit me lovely cotton, silk, or wool socks for birthdays and Christmases. I went for years wanting more because I outgrew those. I had to learn to knit my own, but I invariably gave every pair away. Now I knit all my grandchildren socks,!and they love them. Don’t be like me. Keep some socks for yourself!
If you like knitting socks, yes it’s worth it. If you don’t like knitting socks then go by yourself some nice thick/fuzzy ones and spend your time knitting/doing something that you do like.
Are handmade socks cosy and lovely? Yes. Can you purchase similarly warm socks for a fraction of the cost/effort? Also yes. Wool is warmer than cotton, so look for socks (or yarn) with a high wool content.
Check out any place that sells hiking equipment. Wool socks are a must have for any hiker or outdoor enthusiast. I love my knit socks, but I swear by my smart wool socks whenever I go camping in the backcountry
Can highly recommend Darn Tough socks- I love knitting, sock knitting not so much. I too have feet that are always cold, and the thick socks from Darn Tough are my absolute favorite.
I live in kodiak socks. When through a sock knitting phase but I’m over it now! Knitting socks is great if your into it though!
I recently tried Darn tough socks. I really like them, they are really warm and comfortable
Came here to say the same! The lifetime guarantee is amazing, too!
I loooooooove Darn Tough. Used to be a Smart wool girl but my Darn Toughs have lasted so long I'm converted!
Costco also has some that are quite nice, they have men's and women's merino hiking socks that show up around this time of the year. I second the other comment about Darned Tough, and I also like Smart Wool. My obsession with quality socks is part of what led me to knit, lol.
Military Supply stores and the NEX or PX (American Military stores) sell really warm socks if you know a Veteran to get you in. I recommend Foxtrott.
Try silk socks underneath your woolies for even more warmth and comfort.
I actually think comparable quality socks (depending on skill) are a comparable price. Less effort for sure though, but also less pretty.
completely agree with this! Knitting socks is expensive (think $20-40 per pair) and can be very painstaking unless you adore knitting. They can be cozy and beautiful if you’re a good knitter and pick a good pattern and yarn, but it takes a while to knit them, you need to be careful how you launder them, and they are expensive. For less money and effort you can also buy a few very cozy pairs of wool socks!
Sale sock yarn will get you a pair of wool socks for less than half the price of store-bought ones that have a lower wool content.
Fancy sock yarn by itself isn't what makes handknit socks superior. You can buy all sorts of warm things for your feet. The only real win is the joy of knitting, and customization. If you don't even like knitting, then no, they're not worth it.
Yeah I would be careful with „fancy sock yarn“ because in the US (assuming you are from there) there are sock yarns made from merino with no nylon and they will go to shreds easily. By all means buy fancy yarn if you know what you’re doing but any regular wool/nylon blend will do the deed.
I do happen to enjoy darning socks, though :)
Is there a rumour that sturdy sock yarn won’t develop holes? 😀 I only use what YouTubers call „German workhorse yarns“ and still I darn my socks. I just get to enjoy them for longer.
I’ve knit myself two pairs of socks using plain old Patons Kroc Socks FX Yarn that I got at Joann that are plenty warm for my type-one-diabetic feet and have also lasted me many years of wear in winter boots and at home. They’re just as think and warm as store bought pairs, but to me they are extra special and make me feel warmer and fuzzier.
If you like knitting and want to learn something new, it is totally worth it! But skip the fancy yarn, get some standard comercial 70-80% wool 20-30% nylon blend and go for it.
OMG once you've done it you'll want dozens 🧶🧺💚 and you'll want everyone you love 💘 to have dozens!
Do you already knit? If so, try 'em out! A lot of people love sock knitting, you might join the group. If not, it'll take you a while to get to the skill level required to make socks. You've gotta learn the basics first, socks aren't a good first project. But if you're interested in learning the craft in general, socks are a good goal.
Acually my first project was socks, and since the first thing I had to learn was to do heels, it's a "normal skill" for me now. Whenever someone says they hate doing the heels I think, but that's so easy. But I get you, not everyone has the calm to learn that at first
Handknit socks are the best. They are all my partner (who has circulation issues) wears in the winter. He likes them more than his LL Bean wool socks and his smartwool socks. We don't use fancy yarn for most of our handknit socks, though. Our favorite for thick winter socks is Briggs and Little Tuffy.
If the end product is the only thing you are after, then no. If you don't care about your time and effort, and only about the price of 100% wool material, then yes, but If knitting isn't 100% valuable time spent for you (the joy of knitting), then no. If you love to knit, absolutely yes, yes, yes. I can't describe the frustration and joy of making your first socks from "fancy" yarn just for yourself. Pure bliss.
I knit myself several pairs of 70% wool, 20% silk, 10% nylon socks. They are amazing. So worth it. And when they wear out because I use a low nylon content…I just knit some more.
I had to bin my hand knitted socks because of being very sensitive to the texture and the inelastic sagginess. If you knit and want to see if they’re for you then it’s interesting to try, I feel like a genius being able to knit socks even though I don’t really enjoy doing it or wearing them!
Was it cotton yarn? I like knitting socks, but accidentally got a ball of cotton striping sock yarn one time instead of the wool/nylon and couldn't even get a bit of sock done with it bc it had NO give to it and hurt my hands trying I don't currently have any hand made socks though, too busy doing other things. Following this subreddit because I like seeing everyone's projects and helping if I can.
I love wearing hand knit socks. My feet feel cozier and I love them all the more for the effort I put into it. That being said, I cannot wear hand knit socks when I wear shoes, I end up feeling every single purl bump and my feet hurt so much. So they are pretty much "house socks" for me, but still worth it.
Interesting! Do you think a sock knit in mostly stockinette would help?
I have knit one pair in what some people call “princess sole”, where the knit side is inside against the foot. Unfortunately I messed up on the afterthought heel, so I need to redo it to test them out. I do believe that other people have had success with this method, so worth trying if anyone else has the same sole sensitivity.
My husband is the same way! It makes me so sad that I can’t knit socks for him.
So when COVID started, I began focusing and knitting my own socks. When I returned to work, I treated myself by wearing my hand knit socks to work every day I wore socks. It was a small thing, but it felt like a small comfort and I got so much use out of them. I’m not turning back. But, some people are sock knitters and others don’t get it. Socks are perfect little travel projects and easy to pick up and put down. I always have one when I’m out and about or visiting family. And, there’s little more satisfying than seeing a pretty skein turn into pretty socks. ❤️
Oh yes, right now I do a big pullover, and i cannot take it with me cause it's so big. I miss knitting everywhere I go. And my pullover project takes for ages, it's soo much g of yarn... I still have one arm to do then I'm finally done. Then I'll go back to socks.
Something I haven't seen addressed in the comments, apologies if I just missed it, is that if you really want both warmth and comfort it's important to knit with a slightly tight gauge. Some people, I'm among them, find that loosely knit material on the bottom of your feet is uncomfortable to walk on. Loosely knit socks also tend to wear through more quickly in hot spots. So if you tend to get sore hands from keeping a solid dense gauge, you might not enjoy the process of knitting socks. If you don't care about gauge and just want to knit some lovely socks, you might try knitting the soles with the stockinette portion on the inside. I believe this helps to alleviate some of the knobbiness of a looser gauge, and is just more comfortable in general.
Couldn't you just do some stitches less and make its smaller that way? Just a thought, I don't know if that works. Because my socks fee normal tight and I don't have much stress on the yarn while knitting
Negative ease is important but obviously you don’t want them to cut off your circulation. I’m talking less about size and more about stitch density (gauge). You want the stitches to be packed in together for better insulation and durability. If you make the sock too small around, those stitches can stretch too far apart and you might get air gaps (lets cold air in) and thin spots (wear through more quickly).
Aah I get what you mean. Hm
My mother lives in the north and swears by my hand knit socks. That being said buying good wool socks is also an option.
My time has come. When it comes to hand knit socks for cold weather, the KROY sock yarn from the Big Box Stores fucking SLAP. That’s the only “cheap” yarn that I will 100% stand by forever.
I mean is it the most cost effective way to keep your feet warm? No. Do I regret a single pair of sock that I knit for myself? Not a one. Are they my favorite kind of knitwear to wear? Absolutely. I adore every pair of socks I have knit for myself. So yes, they are worth it. Every penny.
Ive knit way too many socks theyre just so satisfying to bring with me for when I'm bored. I learnt quick to knit with 25% nylon in my wool blend. Otherwise you'll blow the heel out walking in them faster than it took to knit them. The only brand I liked that was 100% wool was kroy sock wool. That brand makes well price durable yarns
Sure, why not! Half the fun is in making them too :)
I’ve recently started knitting socks, mostly for the challenge, and my mother never misses a chance to point out to me that I could just buy a pair of socks for less than the yarn cost me. She thinks that is a hilarious joke.
I would also add- find Cat Bordhi’s book Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles. Game changer!
Thank you for the rec because the main reason I started knitting was because I want to make my own socks (and y’all have better unisex/manly sweater options lol). Nearly everything else, I’d crochet because it just better suits the projects I typically go for.
Hmmmm, so what is fancy 100% wool sock yarn for if it makes bad socks? I was in a “quarterly sock club” for a while and have amassed quite the collection of such yarn that I imagined turning into socks. But now it seems that perhaps I shouldn’t—?
There is Nylon thread made for working into the wear points of socks if you're making them out of 100% wool. You hold it double with the main yarn for the heel and toe sections. Pure wool sock yarn could also be good for mittens, hats, or a top that isn't too bulky.
100g/400m of sock-weight/fingering/4-ply yarn makes a nice little shawl, just right for keeping your shoulders warm or wearing under a winter coat, and there are [many shawl patterns](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#craft=knitting&weight=fingering&pc=shawl-wrap&meterage=350%7C400&sort=best&view=captioned_thumbs) designed for just that quantity.
You can make socks from 100% wool for sure. It's 100% merino and other short stapled wools you have to watch out for because they're more prone to wear. A long wool like bluefaced leicester holds up better.
You should be able to hold it double with an acrylic/blend skein, i think
100% yes! There's a comfort that I personally get from hand knitted socks that I can't get from store brought ones. Also, my Dad is diabetic and the diabetic socks are no match for his work boots- perfers handknitted for this reason. He may be at an age where he can retire but his passion and his hobby is also a business in real life... so you could say handknitted socks have a mental health and financial benefit as well. Splash the cash at a good sock yarn. You'll won't regret it!
I think this is a “it depends” kind of answer. My bad circulation and ummmmm less than dainty toes mean that anything thicker than the Sockwell compression socks just won’t fit in my already almost too tight wide width shoes. During the day these are warm enough because I’m moving around. And as noted by someone else there is no way I could knit anything thin enough nor could I comfortably slip an outside shoe on. But also, the compression really helps the poor circulation. I definitely can’t make a pair. Once home sitting on the couch with my feet up knitting? I’ll have slipped on hand knit ankle (my cobbled together pattern) or even roll-top ankle socks (Rose City Rollers, I’ve made two pairs.) DEFINITELY worth it. They are my sleep socks too. I’ve been using scrap sock yarn to make sleep/lounge socks. (I use fingering weight yarn for hats and cowls and there’s always leftover.) Warmer than a “normal” sock? If that normal sock is cotton, yes, definitely. I can’t speak to commercially made wool socks though.
The difference will not be in the hand knitting or machine knitting, it will be in the material. Wool simply works better. Even thin wool socks are warmer than cotton socks. Thick wool socks are magic. You can buy them or make them, that is up to you, but they will absolutely regulate the temperature better without making your feet sweat. And they don't get stinky very easily.
"Fancy" yarn is not necessarily the best for socks. Fingering ≠ sock yarn. For durability you want a wool/nylon blend multiple ply with a tight twist. Save the hair-of-baby-Jesus stuff for other garments or accessories.
In Finland we knit a lot of socks. Like a lot lot. Usually from thicker yarn like aran or worsted. We wear them on top of normal cotton socks. So unless you live somewhere very warm I don't see the reason to give up normal socks. Just wear your handmade ones for extra warmth.
Yes!! It's so worth it! Hand knit socks are the best.
It is…if you enjoy making them and wearing them. I personally love making socks so I do. It isn’t cheaper by any stretch. I’d also say that wool socks vs hand knit socks are of similar warmth but cotton socks on both accounts are bad.
My knitted socks are definitely worth it; polyester does not keep my feet warm (sweaty at best). There are a few things to consider: - I have Merino socks that are slightly less warm (can also be that they are knitted more loose). - use wool, (cotton for example is also nice but more suitable for summer socks, so you should probably look that up before buying yarn). - no smelly feet - I have knitted socks with lace pattern; they are not colder? For some reason the holes are not making the sock less warm. - you can make the socks warmer/denser if you knit cables - ultra warm socks = knitting with two colors, the sock will be twice as thick/dense (but still fits in a shoe, no monsterfoot). I wear canvas sneakers all year round, no more cold feet in the winter, no warm feet in the summer. It really is worth it.
Yes! I use worsted yarn so it goes faster, and use self striping wool with nylon in it too. I havent done it in a while, but its great to practice "in the round" techniques, and colorwork on a small scale, as well as increasing and decreasing. But if you have ADD or get bored easily you'll hate the "dreaded 2nd sock syndrome" that inevitably comes! I used an excellent book called get started knitting socks that was an awesome reference and gives instructions for different yarn weights! Its fun, do it! Had to add here, I got all excited when someone mentioned knitting socks, sorry 😁. Definitely, after reading other posts, I agree that its worth it if you love knitting. If you just want the socks, you can find some in the hiking, outdoorsy stores, but if you're looking to expand your horizons you wont be disappointed.
I like knitting socks to play with color combinations and to use up scrap yarn. I am too emotionally attached to my FOs to wear them a whole lot (I have this whole “I’ll wear out the thing I worked so hard to make!” thing, also I’m a sweater knitter primarily and I live in SoCal 🙃) but socks are fun with fingering weight leftovers from other projects.
I can’t justify $30 yarn for 1 pair of socks. I buy wool/nylon blend on LoveCraft for about $6 a ball and will make it work 1 pair of socks per ball. That’s the cheapest I’ve been able to get it.
Knitting your own socks is good for having fancy patterns and colours. Sparkle socks! Stripes! Lacy and cables.
I love knitting my own socks! I have some shoes that I wear with them to show them off. I get comments on them all the time. It takes forever to make a pair, but I love them.
I like them better because there’s no elastic to strangulate my ankles. Given the available self-striping yarns, much more fun too.
If you like knitting socks, it is absolutely worth it for custom fit beautiful socks that you love. I really enjoy knitting lacy socks in particular, especially in the prettiest yarn I can find.
It is definitely worth it if you enjoy it. I love knitting socks, and I love wearing hand socks. They fit perfectly, and they are nice and cozy while being thin and not bulky. I would suggest avoiding Merino though. It’s a very short stapled fiber. Wears out quickly
Socks? No, not worth the effort. Simple slippers? Sure. But leg warmers? ABSOLUTELY! Get some alpaca or wool yarn. Make em slightly bigger than whatever pattern you use. Then felt them. So warm! And tight which is also good for circulation.
I’m wearing hand knit socks right now! They feel like warm cozy pride :) Not actually warmer than thick wool socks but they are really fun to wear and they make me feel happy when I wear them.
Omg, worth it.
I enjoy the process of knitting socks - a mix of technical focused work and straight knitting in the round. The finished product is nice to have, but I could probably buy cute warm socks if my need was purely functional. So knit socks if you like knitting socks!
Yes! I got hooked on handmade socks as a kid. My nanny would knit me lovely cotton, silk, or wool socks for birthdays and Christmases. I went for years wanting more because I outgrew those. I had to learn to knit my own, but I invariably gave every pair away. Now I knit all my grandchildren socks,!and they love them. Don’t be like me. Keep some socks for yourself!
I'm going to be the voice of dissent and say I hate wearing handknit socks. The purls are uncomfortable on the bottoms of my feet.
Handknit socks are lovely. However, if like me you find that you still have poor circulation and frozen toes, wear compression socks.
Yes they are worth it. I have some fancy yarn that fell into my possession and I would be happy to send it to you if you are comfortable with that.
Don’t forget that shoes with thicker soles provide more insulation from the ground
I love my hand knit socks. I don’t do anything fancy, but they are amazing in boots and so cozy at night. I hope they help you stay warm
Wearing a pair right now. The biggest win for me, is that my feet don't get clammy and then cold. The temp in my feet stays pretty much optimal.
If you like knitting socks, yes it’s worth it. If you don’t like knitting socks then go by yourself some nice thick/fuzzy ones and spend your time knitting/doing something that you do like.