Crochet Socks

Michelle, Forewarned is forearmed... once you start, you'll be addicted and never go back! VEG, Noreen

They are worth the effort.

Katherine

I have crocheted oodles of socks. Thou I also knit them , I use my crocheted socks when I work out at the gym as they are cushier to my feet. When doing the heel , I crochet around the ankle until I have the length I want , then I take 1/2 the stitches minus 4 and use this as the heel flap. If you have a long heel in back , crochet for 2 - 2 1/2 inches if you need shortter , just play with the length until you get it correct. Then , crochet one more row , but stop 1 stitch past 1/2 way . ( so if your heel flap is 32 stitches , stop at 17) turn , crochet 3, turn crochet 2 and then dec in last one of that row and in the one from the last full row below. 1 more stitch and turn , work back over 3 stitches and do the dec again with top row and last full row. and then do one more stitch. turn . Continue until all stitches are done to edge on both sides. This makes a short row heel, just like you would do for a knitted sock. Fits the foot wonderfully. After the last row , you crochet one full round. Then mark your sock for gussets and decrease in edge where heel flap meets the top of sock (plus 2 stitches in on both sides) until you have the amount left in the round as the ankle above. I hope this helps. Coggie

Do crocheted socks have as much flexibility or stretchiness as knitted? thanks laurie

That would depend on what you crochet them with and wheat type of yarn you use. If you use a b or c hook and sock weight or fingering weight yarn , I would say just about. As knitted cloth and crocheted cloth are not intirely comparable , there are differences , but I guess it is just what you prefer. I have knit socks on size 0 and have had stiff fabric and knit the same weight with siz 2 and it was loose and soft. The same goes for crocheted items. Coggie

I'm sure they are; I've seen plenty and am very envious!

Michelle

This helps a lot!! Thank you!

Michelle

Do crocheted socks have as much flexibility or stretchiness as knitted?

thanks laurie

Hi Laurie

My specimens don't seem to have much stretch at all and crochet makes a denser 'fabric' than knitting, so crocheted socks are different creatures than knitted ones.

Michelle

Yes, I know; how do you think I got into knitting, then tried crochet and got completely 'hooked'?? Same now in effect for quilting....picked up sewing again and got more involved in quilting.

You all have convinced me to try those spiral socks on two circulars, so I'm off to ask MIL to borrow some small circs.

Michelle

Well, you never know what could happen in the future. How big are Toby's feet?

Katherine

Good for you! Personally, I prefer DPNs, but these may work for you.

Katherine

His feet are size 12/13. I'm actually going to try a pair for I* (the oldest DD). (I'm only using T*, G* and I* for the kids online as much as possible). Of course, she wears a 7 ladies, but I think I'm trying the spiral socks on two circs and making her some shorty socks.

Michelle

I've used DPN and really don't like them; they were easy enough but I just didn't enjoy the experience....

Michelle

They kind of 'grow on you', Michelle, and a suggestion is to use the SHORTEST ones you can find, esp. for socks. Also, a set of 5 versus a set of 4 always seems to work 'better'.

We will convert you yet

LOL Noreen

I've just run to MIL's and borrowed one of her circs (for which I have a twin) and I'm going to try a pattern Nora emailed me for spiral socks, in one of those skinny (for me) yarns.

Wish me luck!

Michelle

Size 7??? Good grief! She didn't look big enough for that!

Sorry about using DS's name. I won't do it in the future.

Katherine

Yes Michelle, I did crochet some socks. I decided to use sock yarn with some Lycra in it, to counteract the lack of elasticity of crochet. And they are OK, not my first choice to wear but quite presentable. I used the pattern with "afterthought" heels which needed a rather larger hook to cast on the chain for the continuing stitches. Unfortunately I didn't discover this until I tried them on after I finished them and found out that the chain cuts in ever so slightly, so long distance walking socks they're not! The next pair may have to be coggie's heel flap pattern. I did enjoy making them and they were much quicker than knitting a pair, but I still have minor reservations about the success of them as an item. And I do SO want them to be as nice as knit socks. Love Christine

Just my two cents on this , but I love two socks on two cirs or on one circs for that matter. I use the Queen Kahuna's Book

Hi Katherine

They all have long, narrow feet. G*'s are only about 2 sizes smaller than her sister's, and they're three years apart!

No worries about the names, I'm sure I've used them before, just now making a point not to, seeing as how the oldest is online herself. (I can' t believe she's old enough!)

I started the socks on two circs and completely messed it up last night, so I restarted on dpn and do you know, it's working!! I need to look up how to do the heel turning, or I just may keep them as tube socks, even though it's only a 3x3 rib without the spiral. She'd wear them anyway :) especially as they're pink and black, her favourites.

So I guess you all have succeeded; I've pulled out the dpns I had and bought a few more at Value Village today, so now I've got sets to use both worsted and sock yarns. Guess what I'll be buying at the yarn shop next?? I *so* want to use one of the self-patterning jacquards.

Michelle