Year of the Sock: September

September 29, 2016 by JO 2 Comments

Check out the step-by-step tutorial (pattern is also available here): Crochet Socks Beginner Tutorial from The Crochet Crowd

Ravelry Listing: Toe Up Socks (crochet) by Patons

Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks Jacquards in Meadow Jacquard

Skill Level: Easy

Size: Pattern includes instructions for foot lengths of 6, 7.5, 9.5, 10.5, and 11.5 inches

Special Pattern Features

Worked in joined rounds
Afterthought heel
Stitch for foot: single crochet
Stitch for leg: single crochet
Cuff: Alternating half-double crochet and front post double crochet

Last month several people in our Year of the Sock Facebook group asked for a recommendation for a good first-time crochet sock pattern. I have been on the lookout for such a pattern all year, and after scouring the internet for one to recommend to the Facebook group, I think I have finally settled on one that will do nicely. I say this with a bit of reservation: for the most part, this a great beginner sock pattern, but there are also a few things that annoyed me. What bothers me though might not bother you, so take my review with a grain of salt.

The first thing that really peaked my interest is that this pattern comes with an hour-long step-by-step tutorial by the designer, Mikey of the Crochet Crowd. This tutorial really is step-by-step; this kind of detail is exactly what every beginner craves. I wish I had known about this pattern and tutorial when I was starting out. Anyone who is interested in trying their hand at sock crochet could start with this video and gain a very good grasp of sock construction and terminology, and most importantly be able to crochet their very first sock.

The sock is constructed from the toe up, which I have begun to regard as the easiest way to begin. The pattern is very standard in this respect. The toe is created by chaining a certain number for your size, working into the top loops and then turning the foundation chain to work into the back loops, while making your increases on the ends. You continue to work in the round, increasing on the ends, until you have a oval “cup” as wide as the toes. Then you crochet in the pattern until you reach the required length and begin the opening for the heel. The afterthought heel is also very standard being created by making a chain for the ankle and leaving the rest unworked. (You go back after the body of the sock is finished to work into the unused part of the chain and the unused stitches of the foot.) To crochet the leg, you simply attach your yarn to the stitches at the ankle and crochet around and around until you reach the desired length.

One of the best parts of this pattern is the cuff, which is very unique. The pattern has you start by doing a round of sc, ch 1, sk 1 around. Then in the next round you hdc into each sc and dc into the skipped stitch from the first round. In each subsequent round, you hdc in each hdc and front post double crochet (fpdc) around the post of each dc. This creates a neat ribbing that is flatter and more solid than the typical front post double crochet alternated with back post double crochet.

The fact that this pattern is worked almost entirely in single crochet is what gives me pause about giving it my 100% recommendation as a beginner pattern. Sure, most anyone who has some crochet experience will know how to make a single crochet stitch, but I suspect after a while it will become just as tedious a task for a beginner as it was for me! It takes a lot longer to single crochet a sock than most of the other stitches you could use. And using single crochet also creates a stiff fabric that lacks ease. Also this pattern is worked in joined rounds and the instructions explicitly say to place the slip-stitch joins on the underside of the foot. This means that the person wearing the sock will be walking on the joins, which I find uncomfortable. Despite my opinions, this is still a great pattern and one I will continue to recommend to beginners.

If you have a beginner pattern that you would recommend, I would love to see it! I’m always excited to find new sock crochet patterns, especially for beginners.

Check out previous months in this incredible year of the sock: