4 Sock Patterns by Helen Kurtz

Images courtesy Helen Kurtz and Stylecraft Yarns

Today's post features sock designs by Helen Kurtz who has the popular knitting blog called Josie Kitten. I know Helen through the Blogstars group and over time I've see the number of her lovely knitted sock designs grow, so I thought I'd share some here. 

Helen has used "Head Over Heels" sock yarn by Stylecraft. This yarn was specially developed to be durable enough for socks, but also light enough for knitters and crocheter's who like to make shawls. There are three versions of this yarn, each with at least 6 different colour ways. They are:

Head Over Heels, 

Boho Head Over Heels, 

Head Over Heels All Stars 

Composition: 75% super wash wool, 25% nylon

Ball weight: 100g

Length: 437yds/400m

Needle size: 2.25mm

Wash care: machine wash at 30 degrees

Helen's sock designs are free to download. 

Links to the downloads are at the end of each pattern description.

1. Tiptoe Sock Pattern

Image courtesy Stylecraft Yarns

These socks were designed for the ‘Head over Heels All Stars’ sock yarn. Rows of pretty tulips, a colourful reminder of the bulb fields of The Netherlands, make this a dainty design, suitable for both self-striping and gradient sock yarns.

The simple floral motif is an easy introduction to lace knitting, making these a great choice for the next step on from some plain vanilla socks.

Download Tiptoe free pattern leaflet. 

      

            

Image courtesy Stylecraft Yarns

2. Miss Parminter sock pattern

    

Image courtesy Stylecraft Yarns

These socks were designed for the Boho Head over Heels range. The ribbing gives a comfortable fit while the lace adds a delicate touch to the pattern. 

They are named after Miss Parminter, the first recorded woman climber, who in 1799 was climbing in the Alps. The pattern works well with self striping yarns and gradient yarns. It is easy to memorise so would make a good sock to knit once you’ve tried a couple of plain pairs. The pattern is available in three sizes - small, medium and large adult - and a 100g ball of sock yarn will easily knit any of these sizes.

Download Miss Parminter free pattern leaflet.

3. Foot Hold Socks

Image courtesy Helen Kurtz

This pattern was released to coincide with the launch of two  colours in Stylecraft Yarn’s Head over Heels sock yarn in March 2017 - Etna and Sugar Loaf. The yarns in this range are all named after mountains and inspiration for the pattern from the ridges that climbers use to get a foothold when climbing. These ridges gently ripple their way down the leg and foot, giving an interesting texture to the socks. 

The pattern works well with striping yarns, but would look equally good in a solid or semi-solid yarn. The pattern is easy to memorise so it’s perfect for both new sock knitters and those wanting to knit something other than a plain sock. 

Available in three sizes - small, medium and large adult.

Download Foot Hold free pattern leaflet.

4. First Tracks Socks

Image courtesy Helen Kurtz

So you’ve knitted a pair of plain vanilla socks and want to try something a little more spicy? First Tracks is the perfect introduction to patterned socks. The easy to memorise pattern adds a little interest to a plain sock. Like making the first tracks on newly fallen snow, 'First Tracks' will ease you into the world of patterned socks as you make your own tracks down the rows of knitting! Released in September 2016, this pattern would also look great in any self-striping sock yarn. 

The pattern has lots of negative ease so it’s a great pattern for gift knitting too! The ribbed pattern works well as an everyday sock for both men and women.

Download First Tracks free pattern leaflet.

More details about Helen's sock designs can be found on her Ravelry designers page.

Find Helen on the web here:

Blog The Woolly Adventures of a Knitting Kitty

Instagram @josiekitten

Snowy days and winter knits

The weather has turned wintry. After feeding the sheep, a brisk walk in the snow, it's time for a cup of tea and sit by the fire, browse a magazine, finish a few knits and start a new project.

Typical view from the window over the last few days...

Typical view inside over the last few days...

The latest project is under way, another pair of socks. However, I did some research into a different pattern and found the Simple Skyp Socks by Adrienne Ku on Ravelry. Very similar to my favourite Simple Ribbed Socks pattern by Kate Atherley but with a herringbone type design incorporated into the rib. I'm using the Blue Moon hand dyed Indigo by The Border Tart. The stitch pattern is worked over two rows and very easy to remember. It's good to have something that's not too demanding, I can still look out of the window at the changing scenery and knit at the same time - in theory. 

New Year New Project

Beginning of the New Year and I have a completed knitting project - a pair of socks. The pattern is by Kate Atherley, the Basic Ribbed Socks. Regular readers may notice it's not the first time I've used this pattern. Just had a quick count and I think this is the forth pair. It's an easy, quick pattern to follow and knit. Most importantly all the socks have been a perfect fit, I like the structure too for comfortable wear in hiking boots. 

Now about the yarn. It's 'Swing Sock' yarn by Dublin Dye in colour way Water Sprite. I picked this up at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival in March 2015 along with two other skeins - see image below. 

Water Sprite is a mix of blues and greens, is very soft, contains 75% wool / 25% Nylon / 100g hank / 425 metres. Recommended needle size 2.0mm - 3.25mm.

Will probably cast on the Blue Moon hand dyed Indigo by The Border Tart next.  I'm tempted to stick with the pattern I like but maybe I should have a change...

Knitted Sock Heel Repair

I should have known better than to wear soft, fine merino and alpaca wool hand knitted socks with hiking boots. Very soon the fine wool was worn away and holes appeared. As these were a favourite pair of socks I thought about making a repair using the darning method. I confess, I've never repaired a pair of socks. Therefore, I did a quick search for darning instructions. While browsing various methods I came across a knitted heel option which looked so much better than a darning patch. The following images give you the basic idea behind the method. I won't repeat the instructions here as they are quite lengthy, not for the fainthearted. The method can be found at Lupinworks.com Replacing a sock heel.

I'm pleased with the finished result and won't be wearing these socks in hiking boots anymore!

 

1. Picking up stitches

2. Cut out old damaged heel and unravel old rows.

3.Pick up stitches on needles

4. Knit the heel flap and turn the heel.

5. Finished heel

Socks Yarns & Travel

It was good to meet people behind the names of some favourite yarn companies at the Edinburgh Yarn Festival. I also acquired a few skeins of their 4ply/fingering weight yarn to sustain my current enthusiasm for sock knitting. They are as follows:

John Dunn-Ballam - Easyknits - Gobstoppers - Hanzo Tokyo - Hand Dyed - 75% superwash Merino, 25% Nylon

Lyndsey Roberts - The Border Tart - Blue Moon - Hand Dyed Natural Indigo - 75% Superwash BFL, 35% Nylon

Yvonne McSwinney - Dublin Dye - Swing Sock - Water Sprite 75% Merino 25% Nylon

Recently I completed a pair of the Basic Ribbed Socks by Kate Atherley. I enjoyed the simple straightforward design so much I cast on another pair of socks using this pattern in the Easyknits Hanzo Tokyo. The yarn is producing some bold broad stripes in contrasting colours of charcoal, grey, burgundy and gold. A great travel knitting project, not too much thinking and small enough to carry around.