Wednesday, June 22

The World of Socks

Sock knitting is one of the oldest forms of domesticated knitting, hand-made socks make the perfect gift for new born babies as well as young children and recently hand-made socks are becoming the ideal gift for men and women. Knee high socks have dominated the fashion industry, a stylist must-have and since Britney Spears' school uniform and knee high socks combination music video have socks been so pivotal to a young woman's outfit.

This revolution has grown so quickly that knitting books are dedicated to sock knitting, developing techniques and patterns to enhance sock performance and sock comfort.

Cookie A is a Californian knitter who specialises in sock knitting. Up until 2009 her work was developed by hand, but a course of machine knitting enabled her to develop machine knitted patterns as well as hand knits. Her work is published across several of her own books, entirely dedicated to socks. Her work combines traditional techniques as well as experimental stitches creating very beautiful socks. Find her work in her latest book 'Knit. Sock. Love.'

And Sarah Wilson, better known as The Sexy Knitter, has knitted these fabulous mustard colour knee high socks that were features in issue 29 of The Knitter. Using stocking stitch as well as a beautiful cable detail incorporated up the outside leg this is a truly masterful pair of socks. Finished with a delicate lace stitch around the top, these would look fab over boots or just lounging around.



Sock knitting is clearly not the easiest garment to master, as much as it takes a little getting use to knitting in the round, the heel formation is a real tricky task not everyone can master. There is nothing wrong with knitted socks without the heel section, and sleepy mornings I'm sure most people appreciate to not have to fumble with twisting and positioning the heel to the right place. However, the heel makes a perfect finish and something all knitters should at some point tackle.

The knitshop.co.uk, inundated with queries regarding sock knitting and the habitual challenges knitters have discovered, have devised an entire two hour workshop to help knitters knit the perfect sock. The workshop will also teach students how to work with double pointed needles, how to incorporate traditional sock knitting techniques and features as well as 'the heel bit'!

Julieta and the knitshop.co.uk team will host the workshop at the Lee Green Shop on the 2nd of July. This workshop is set to be very popular so book you place in advance. The workshop is suitable to knitters who have a basic knowledge of knitting to experienced knitters. Materials will be provided as well as refreshments and students will be able to take home their work to continue! Places are limited, the workshop will have a maximum of 8 students so there is a lot of one-to-one tutoring and all queries can be dealt with. The workshop is a steal at just £12 for a two hour session and you can book your place over the phone, online by clicking 'self pick-up' at the checkout, or in person at the knitshop.co.uk.

Can't make the 2nd of July? Julieta introduces 'knitting in the round' a two hour workshop on the 9th of July dedicated to knitting in the round, techniques, tension and much much more.

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