- Boot socks should be knit in a larger gauge yarn than standard socks. Avoid fingering weight yarns for boot socks. Choose a worsted weight wool yarn. Wool is warm, durable and wicks moisture. Allow around 350 yards for a pair of boot socks, depending upon the length you prefer. It provides warmth even when wet. A sturdy plied yarn is the best choice. You may want to consider a yarn with a small amount of nylon to improve wear or consider carrying a nylon thread along with the yarn on the heel and toe. Machine-washable wool yarns, called superwash wool, are available for laundering ease.
- Boot socks are all about function, warmth and practicality. This is not the place for fancy cables and stitch patterns, unless you are knitting boot socks to be used as house or bed slippers. Choose a pattern that works well with your stitch gauge or opt to use a basic sock pattern generator (see Resources). Expect a worsted weight man's sock to need a cast on of around 56 to 64 stitches, depending upon the desired size of the finished sock.
- Knit socks are worked in the round. You can opt for double-point knitting needles, a long circular needle used for magic looping, or two shorter circular needles if you prefer. Expect to work worsted weight men's socks on a size 5 or 6 needle. This should produce a tight and dense fabric that will hold up well to hard wear.
- There are several components to a knit boot sock. Worked from the top down, your sock will begin with a ribbed cuff. Work a rib or stockinette leg to the desired length before knitting a heel flap. Turn the heel, then knit gussets. Knit in stockinette stitch until you reach approximately 1 1/2 inches shorter than the desired length. Decrease for the toe, continuing to work in the round. When you reach your desired length, break the yarn, leaving a long tail. Use the tail to work in kitchener stitch to finish your sock toe.
Choosing Yarn
Picking a Pattern
Knitting Boot Socks
The Components
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