Firstly, thank you for all of your wonderful comments. I’ve read each one; they are very insightful and inspire me to continue with this retrospective. In the last missive I spoke of my great appreciation of receiving the gift of socks. I’m imbued with such fondness for these glorious gifts, that a few years ago I took to mending some of my more beleaguered socks
Sadly my attempts to save my precious socks did not hold up very well. Salvaging old manufactured socks, creating patches from these to mend my precious gifts. These repairs yielded only a few more wearings and nor were they appealing to the eye or feet.
Oh, how I wish they could last forever, alas many good things come to an end, affording the opportunity to don new socks.
Back to the present discussion, my next favorite sock is the Bricker, aptly named, for the pattern does indeed resemble bricks.
The design has a sort of quilting effect, resulting in a degree of extra comfort.
The yarn is a Miss Babs offering, Yummy sock yarn
again the name is so appropriate for the yarn is indeed yummy, consisting of merino and the tight twist makes for a nice sturdy, long wearing sock.
While the design in this coloration—terracopper—is decidedly masculine, I’ve seen it knitted up in various colours, taking on a more distinctly feminine appearance.
Needless to say, both women and men will appreciate this sock.
to purchase pattern or view complete pattern information, please click here to visit the product page in the knitspot pattern shop.
Next we have the Cinderblock sock. closely related in texture, this one features a beautiful woven motif and is named for another type of masonry. currently, they are out of commission; can hardly wait to darn this sock in a few weeks.
As a wearer of these fabulous socks, one can not help feeling a bit special; perhaps they even affect one’s sense of well-being.
Ah, I feel the summoning of a poem about to come forth, but this may prove too much, will forego for now.
I am told this pattern practically knits itself, begging to knit one more repeat before putting it down.
Cinder Block was knitted up in Tanis Fiber Arts purple label cashmere yarn, a merino/cashmere/nylon sock blend. Cashmere often evokes luxurious imagery of sumptuous delights, this yarn manages to deliver such an experience.
the subtle design marries well with this variegated colourway, which is called shadow.
to purchase pattern or view complete pattern information, please click here to visit the product page in the knitspot pattern shop.
33 thoughts on “mister knitspot’s favorite
thingssocks – deux”Two lovely socks. They are perfectly masculine. I enjoyed your comments on them as well. I especially enjoyed your comment on the yarn, “Cashmere often evokes luxurious imagery of sumptuous delights, this yarn manages to deliver such an experience”. You made me smile on that note. Thank you for sharing and I will keep these patterns in mind on the next pair of socks I make for my husband.
Beautiful socks – and yes – masculine. I have found it difficult to find patterns that I think are particularly masculine beyond the basic plain sock and the basic ribbed sock – but these are two that really fit the bill. I had to chuckle at the pile of socks in the first couple of photos. Isn’t it the truth? Hand knit socks are such a joy to make and such a lesson in letting go. By their very nature they are impermanent – and yet we still try to make them as beautiful and interesting as possible. I bet someone’s written a book about that idea somewhere!
Nice Post!
I love the Cinderblock sock, and have just finished knitting Roger, which I think is even nicer! My husband asked me who they were for, and when I said ‘me!’, he pointed out that they were ‘his’ colours!!! Hahaha! Subtle or what! So I guess I’ll be starting another pair of Rogers any time now. You are so right about cashmere – my toes have never felt so pampered! Thanks for another great post.
PS Have you started knitting your own pair yet?! 😉
Don’t discard those old socks. Simply cut off the tops and add a new foot. Another pair of socks for your David.
nest time the foot goes, cut it off at the ankle, pick up the leg stitches and knit a new foot
So many socks, so little time . . . good thing I knit ’em while I read blogs on the internet, eh?
ahhh cinderblock. my first sock pattern – seems like so long ago! still love it and appreciated the close ups of bricker as well.
why knit a new foot when you can experiment with fab new yarns by starting all over???
David,
Your wonderful descriptions make me want to knit socks!
Gorgeous socks…and the terracopper pair has autumn written all over it.
I’ve never repaired handknit socks, I would rather knit new ones. But the knitpicks website has a couple sock-darning tutorials that make it look sooo easy that I’m going to give it a try! You might want to check it out too.
Hey Mister Knitspot! To rescue my husband’s favourite knee high socks, I ripped them out just before the heel flap and knit on a brand new foot. It was way faster than knitting new kneehighs.
I tried darning them first and my experience was the same as yours. They only lasted a couple of wearings before they were broken down again.
these are awesome, but i have a request:
please please PLEASE when you post one of your patterns, include a link to the ravelry pattern page! i (and many other knitters) keep track of my faves and queued items as a way to know what patterns to buy later. having to open a new tab to go to ravelry and search for the pattern and click it and then queue it – that’s 5 steps! too many steps! a 5-step barrier to my likelihood of purchasing the pattern!
Anne pics the best guest bloggers! ;^) One thing someone suggested to me that was totally logical, once I thought of it. You can take a pair of scissors to the socks, retain the perfectly knit leg and then pick up the stitches to just reknit the foot. More work than darning (lasts longer, too), but less work than an brand new pair of socks. And now that you’re knitting, it might be a lovely collaboration of your work and Anne’s.
Now that’s some wear and tear! Can say I blame you for trying to salvage them. Nice post.
Aren’t you glad that the design of Bricker and Cinderblock socks have advanced to a much more fashion forward style for men? I especially love sock patterns that are unisex.
My favorite pair developed holes at the same time in both heels. I’m not going to attempt to darn them as it wouldn’t work with the color but I haven’t the heart to dispose of them either.
I really like both of these and have to mark them as suitable for my knitworthy brothers. I especially like the blue ones. The color is perfect for this pattern and makes me think of stormy days.
Thanks for another excellent post Mr. Knitspot.
Mr. Knitspot, thank you for sharing your favorite socks with us. You’ve inspired me to knit a pair of the Bricker socks for my dear dad, who has a birthday coming soon. And its nice to know someone else loves their socks oo the point of being more hole than sock in the foot! Guess we’ll both have to learn how to cut off the foot and pick up those stitches 🙂
Lovely socks & you are a great model. I do agree that it’s not worth mending the socks as I also tried & they did not last long.
The Cinder Block Socks are my favorite knitspot pattern ever! I’ve lost count of how many I’ve made. They have such a comforting and forgiving fit that they make great gift socks for when you don’t know the recipient’s exact size. I look forward to fall so I can wear mine again.
Any knitter would be delighted to have such an appreciative wearer and commentator!
And the idea of knitting a new foot onto a favorite sock that wears out is such a great one! I have a couple of socks that really need such a treatment, as they were favorites and have worn out under the heel or at the toe.
I think the culmination of your wonderful posts on your favorite socks should end with an ode to the handmade sock! I have enjoyed both of your posts on socks, and I look forward to your future posts.
I have never knitted socks before primarily because I had no desire. Lately, I have been thinking I would like to try knitting a pair, and along came your previous post, and now this one! Looks like my husband will be getting a pair of socks this holiday season. Now, which of Anne’s patterns and which yarn?
Hmmm. I think these may become the next socks I do for my husband. They are very nice. I like very much how you mention feeling special wearing these. I hope my husband feels the same way.
Cinderblock is my husband’s and son’s favorite pattern. They each have several pair and I get lots of comments from them about how those are their favorite socks. But maybe it is time for a different pattern for this holiday season. Thanks for reviewing your favorites….
Another wonderful post David! I do love both patterns & this post just reinforces my love of knitting socks, especially by Anne!
I’ve been watching for a follow-up posts on the next set of favorite socks! Nice to see the socks getting so much wear and enjoyment. These are wonderful patterns too. I’m making a list given DBF just recently bemoaned he didn’t have any hand knit socks…. poor fella.
thanks Mr. Knitspot! Enjoy the rest of the summer and that garden!
Wow, that brings new meaning to wearing something to death! What a testament to your love of them. Both great patterns and fun to knit.
Sock weather will be here before we know it!
Thanks for a great post!
I’ve been chipping away at darning a basket full of DH’s socks, but am also finishing the toes tonight on a new pair for his birthday. I love darning because it’s something we have always done as a family. I have beautiful memories of being over at my grandparents’ for supper, and while my uncle and brother (the non-cooks) did the dishes, the rest of us would sit around darning socks, splicing rope, cobbling shoes…
Super post, David! I love how you write. Your favorite socks descriptions make me want to pull out my DPNs and have a go. Alas, I am still working on last Christmas’s knitting (I know. I’m rather behind but I never told the recipient WHICH Christmas she would get her gift! LOL) and I just can’t start anything else until this project is complete. Once it is, though…………
I, too, love knitting new socks more than fixing old ones, but one of the things I learned as a child was how to darn socks–if you catch them early, it works pretty well, and I still give my grandmother’s darning “egg” plenty of exercise. Some of the socks in the picture, however look beyond help of anything except the “knit a new foot” technique other posters have already mentioned.
I am glad that you are enjoying your posts! I have to say that the way you write is quite poetical, even if you are not calling it poetry:)
Gorgeous! Remind me again why I have no socks OTN right now? 🙂
If you will not darn/repair socks, the cuffs are still of good strong wool/yarn. Great stuff for yarnblankets. The easiest way is cutting the cuff top to ankle, now you have a rectangle, lockstitch around and when you have enough, stitch them together, I think there are homeless projects in Am. if you will not make them for yourself or family/friends, after all it is good stuff. Or give the cuffs only cut at the ankle, do not cut lengthwise, to someone who makes a sockblankie, she will (or he) appreciate this gift, just ripping and stretching the wool (there are many videos on how to on the internet) will yield adorable wool for their project. I mean, re-use, recycle is hot hese days. The useless footpieces can be used as cushionfillings for dogs, just roughly stitched together to make a – yes _ blanket, tucked in a sewn-close pillowcase they make a comfortable and isolating (heatwave or freezing cold weather) mat, cats love them too, just make sure you have washed any odour away.
Thanks David for another great post! Beautiful words and photos, you’re a great model for Anne’s socks! And you’ve started a great discussion on what to do with worn-out handknit socks 🙂 Another idea is make sock monkeys/toys, perhaps using parts from more than one pair of socks?
Love it, love it. repairing the socks. Never thought about it. But totally makes sense. Also, I thinks socks are the thing for this autumn and fall
Comments are closed.