2012 Crop of Boot Socks

Winter is the time to wear boot socks. And winter is the time to knit them. I wrote about boot socks last winter. I’m thinkin’ that I’ll make writing about boot socks an annual tradition!

Here are some from this season’s crop:

I use Briggs & Little “Heritage” yarn (used to be Reynolds “Candide’). It’s just perfect for this project: sturdy, strong, just slightly heavier than standard worsted weight.


Last night I finished teaching a 3-session class on knitting basic boot socks at Interquilten.

There were five women in the class – a few who had just finished my beginning knitting class – and they all managed to finish one wearable sock! I do hope they send me pictures of their finished pairs!


I have a couple of other classes coming up at Interquilten, so if you’re in the neighborhood, join us! You can contact the owner, Tawni, by phone (231-276-9100) or by email (info@interquilten.com).


Here’s the class line-up:


Mom & Me: Learn to Knit: This is a class for mother & child (or children) to learn the very basics of knitting. In the process of knitting a scarf, we will cover the knit stitch, the purl stitch, how to cast on, how to bind off, and how to weave in ends. A simple scarf pattern will be provided. Wednesdays, February 22 and 29, 4:00-5:30pm.


Knit Fingerless Mitts: This class is for individuals who know the very basics of knitting (the knit stitch, the purl stitch, cast on, bind off). In this class, we will knit a fingerless mitt. In the process, we will cover: how to measure and get the correct stitch gauge, how to use double-pointed needles for knitting in the round, how to create a simple cable pattern, and how to create both left- and right-leaning increases. The instructor will provide detailed pattern instructions. Wednesdays, March 7 and 14, 6:00-8:00pm.

Making Yarn with a Drop Spindle: Twisting fiber into yarn is arguably the oldest of all technologies. For most of human history, all yarns were spun using a very simple tool: the drop spindle. In this 2-session class, we will use drop spindles to create yarn from wool fiber. We will spin “singles” and we will make a 2-ply yarn. Participants will take home a CD drop spindle, a handout about drop spindling, and a small amount of wool to spin. Wednesdays, March 21 and 28, 6:00-7:30pm.