Woo! We made it through Christmas! That can mean only one thing! No, silly, not that you need bigger pants. And, no, not that we can put away the tinsel. It means that I can actually show you guys all the socks that I made for gifts this year! Finally!
And, here’s the big secret: They’re all made using my “Socks by the Numbers” pattern. It’s free and available here:
This pattern is hardly even a pattern, it’s more of a recipe. You plug in your gauge and the size of the foot you’re trying to fit, and away you go. I show you how to do the math, so you’re free to play with color, texture, and stitches, all the while making an perfectly-fit top-down sock with a heel flap.
Now, to the socks!
I made a pair of lovely burnt-orange socks for my father-in-law with a pretty cool all-over basket-weave stitch of knits and purls.
My mother-in-law got a pair of adorable ice-blue socks, decorated with a lace pattern modified from a vintage stitch dictionary.
My dad got a pair of utilitarian socks with simple ribbed cuffs, perfect for Chicago winters in a really nice shade of brown-gray. (Trust me, in real life, the yarn is kind of cool and heathered.)
My brother got a goofy pair of black-and-yellow fraternal-twin socks. Because he’s my brother, and he’s a little goofy.
And my husband got a pair of socks in sapphire blue with just enough ribbing at the cuffs and down the sides to make them interesting.
Woo! Socks for everyone! (OK, not quite everyone, but “Socks for everyone” sounds a whole lot better than “Socks for about three-quarters of the people on my list.”) And, with my Socks by the Numbers pattern, I was able to work up perfectly-fitting, customized socks without any problem!
Did you have a go-to gift for everyone on your list this year?
On the Needles 
Well done! As soon as I finish the dozen hats for the red hat’s for newborns born in Feb charity thing, I’m trying this!
Thanks!
PS. 2 little hats in 2 days, yay!
Awesome! Go Sue!
Hello! Just wanted to drop by to say that I used your “Socks by the Numbers” PDF pattern to knit my Very First Ever Sock — and succeeded! Thank you so much for a wonderfully written pattern. I can finally join the ranks of the sock-knitters!
Hi! Saw your pattern on Ravelry. Dumb question ahead: Can I use any weight yarn–if i figure out my gauge and plug that number into the formula I’ll be OK, right? Thank you!
Sorry for the slow response-I’ve been on maternity leave! Yes- use any yarn you like! Just be aware that if you use heavy yarn (worsted or higher) the socks will end up more slipper-y than functional socks that can go in shoes. Though, that’s awesome, too!