Solid colours, variegated yarn or self striping yarn for socks … help!

Hello! In today's blog post I'm going to help you navigate the exciting world of colour choices for crocheting socks. I’ll go through various sock yarn options, from simple solids to more interesting self-striping yarns and teach you how to manipulate colour to create stunning and unique sock designs. 

1. Solid Colours: A Timeless Classic

• Simplicity: Solid colours offer a clean look

• Versatility: Easy to match with any outfit.

• Highlighting Texture: Allows the stitch definition to shine.

My Lyre Socks and Synthesiser Socks (pictured above) will both work best in a solid colour. This is because they have a textured pattern and if you introduce a mix of colours to the sock the texture will be lost. Solid colours are also best for more open or lacy designs, such as my Off-the-Beat Socks.

2. Subtle Variations: Variegated Yarns

• Speckles: Adds visual appeal and personality. A little colour introduces a playful touch to socks!

• Motivation: It keeps things interesting as you crochet; it’s fun to watch the tiny splashes of colour become incorporated in your sock.

One thing I like about crocheting socks is that a 100g skein of indie dyed yarn will give you 1 pair of socks, they’re a brilliant way to try out differnt yarns. My Lazy Days Socks and Fiddle Socks were both designed specifically for variegated yarn.

Click here for your copy

3. Contrast Details: A Pop of Colour

• Add Interest: Introduce contrasting colours for the toes, heels, and cuffs.

• Customisation: Mix and match colours to create unique combinations.

If you want to input colour in a sock pattern one of the easiest ways to do so is to use contrasting colours for the different parts. Even if the pattern you’re following doesn’t specify the use of contrast colours, this is very simple to do and will really change the look of your sock. It’s a brilliant way to stash bust too!

4. Self-Striping Magic

• Effortless Colour Changes: Enjoy the magic of self-striping yarns without the hassle of constant colour changes and ends to weave.

• Endless Possibilities: Explore the vast array of colour combinations out there with self-striping sock yarns. If you’re not confident in choosing colours, this takes the guesswork away for you.

The first sock pattern I ever wrote was for self striping yarn; my Fabulous Socks! This pattern continues to be my best seller, I’m sure it’s down to the striking simplicity of the stripes.

5. Advanced Techniques: Colour Manipulation

• Colour Pooling: Explore the fascinating rabbit hole of colour pooling, where colours in a colour changing yarn line up to create unique patterns.

• Strategic Colour Placement: Carefully plan the placement of colours for intentional effect.  I sometimes start sock 1 from the inside of a self-striping ball and sock 2 from the outside of the ball, creating a pair of socks that are sisters, but not twins.

My Fabulous Socks! (pictured below) are an example of working from both ends of a ball of wool. If you look carefully at the socks you can see the colour order is flipped.

Conclusion

Choosing colours for crocheting socks is a journey of creativity and self-expression. The only way to find out which types of yarn you like is to start crocheting socks, experiment with different techniques, embrace unexpected results and don't forget to have fun in the process! 

Your next steps

If you found this post useful you'll be pleased to know that I'm working behind the scenes putting together the Ultimate Guide to Crocheting Socks PDF with everything you need to know plus all my top tips for success! Subscribe to my mailing list to be first to know of the release and receive my biggest discount code.

Also, if you're interested in trying out any of my sock patterns, they're available from my website and Ravelry, go take a look!

Until next time,

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx

my Fiddle Sock pattern

My 5 Tips For Crocheting (or knitting!) Socks

Hello! Today I'd like to share my experience with you and give you my 5 top tips for crocheting (or knitting!) socks! Maybe you've never tried making socks before or perhaps you're a sock addict like me? Either way, there should be something here to help you on your crochet sock journey.

my Banjo Sock pattern

1.  Take each step as it comes. 

Don't go diving in, looking ahead at what comes up next and freaking out about how you're going to manage that heel! Simply look at row 1 or round 1 and take it from there. Follow that round exactly as the instructions tell you and then work onto round 2 and so on. I think when we leap ahead and see the big scary heel - that's when we're more likely to second-guess ourselves and make mistakes early on.

2.  Wind your yarn into two balls (or cakes). 

This is really easy if you're starting with a skein of sock yarn; I simply wind and when I reach the about halfway I pop the yarn on the scales and make sure that I end up with two balls, roughly 50g each. I've shared this tip before and it's one that I find very useful because then I know exactly how much yarn I have for each sock and I'm not panicking about running out of yarn.

3.  Choose yarn with 20 or 25% nylon content. 

This will ensure your socks are durable and washable. There are lots of different types of sock yarn on the market! Commercial sock yarn is a great choice and is typically 75% superwash merino/ 25% nylon. It's especially good for a beginner because it's less expensive meaning you're less likely to be upset when mistakes happen. There are lots of indie yarns dyers out there too, producing all sorts of gorgeous colours to choose from. These tend to have a 20-25% nylon content, perhaps with Blue Faced Leicester instead of merino. There are also smaller yarn companies producing more traditional sock yarn if you want to go for something fancier. At the moment I'm using a sock yarn with 80% Blue Faced Leicester/ 10% Yak/ 10% silk - it's gorgeous to work with!

4.  Work socks two at a time. 

I've shared this tip before and it's a good one to keep your motivation up. It's especially easy to do if you have measured your yarn into equal balls too! If you choose not to work two together it's a good idea, while your motivation levels are high, to jump straight in and start sock no. 2 as soon as you have finished sock no. 1. You can add the hashtag #nosecondsocksyndrome on Instagram - it's a popular one!

5.  Try on your sock as you go. 

This way you will have the perfect fit - you can get the length and width exactly right. Although most sock patterns are customisable you may need to make adjustments and this is easiest to do if you can try your sock on as you work.

my Synthesiser Sock pattern

Did you know that I have multiple crochet sock patterns available on my website and on Ravelry if you're curious and would like to give crocheted socks a go! Check them out today and remember that I'm always here to help if you have any questions.

I hope you found my 5 top tips for crocheting (or knitting!) socks helpful. Why not share with a friend who would find them useful too - help me spread the word.

Don't want to miss my posts? Subscribe to my mailing list today and have them delivered straight to your inbox. There's a FREE pdf waiting for you when you sign up too, with 25 of my best crochet tips!

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx