My dear husband, Frank, doesn’t like to wear knits. It’s not knits in general, but the warmth of knits, that puts him off. Of course, one of the first sweaters I made him was wool in English rib. I think he could wear it in a blizzard. Eventually, I’ve gone to vests, but that’s a different story.

When we get dressed, he has a tendency to pull the first thing he sees out of the closet and put it on. It doesn’t matter if colors match, if the shirt is stained, or if the tie is totally inappropriate. From talking to others, I think this may be one of those "male things," and isn’t meant to be understood by females.

But socks? That’s a totally different story. This guy, who will buy the first white shirt he sees without looking at other white shirts, is very picky about his socks. And once he finds the socks he wants, he’ll buy that brand forever. He has drawers full of socks...all the same style and color. Occasionally, he might break out and really go on a binge and get socks in another color, but that’s rare.

So, with all this expensive knitting equipment around me, I started off on a quest: The Quest for the Perfect Sock. Little did I know what trials and challenges I would be forced to face while on this mission.

Sock #1: I actually knitted a swatch, washed it, blocked it, and measured it. Then, after 3 days of asking, I finally got the foot measurements. I knit that sock right to the measurement. Of course, it didn’t fit. He doesn’t like loose socks. They must be snug against his foot but not too tight around the calf.
 Lesson: Measurements mean very little in men’s socks and there is such a thing as Less Than Zero Ease.

Sock #2: After looking at the Favorite Sock, I decided to try a different method. I started out in 1x1 rib and then went to full needle rib. "This would be ok in sub-zero weather," he said.  Back to the drawing board. Lesson: KISS

Sock #3: One thing I have noticed about Frank’s socks. He never goes around sockfooted, but the first place to wear thin is the heel. I think manufacturers put a thinner yarn in the heel. Could that be why they’re so snug? So I had to find some wooly nylon for heels and toes. Unfortunately, I forgot to put it in the toe part. Didn’t matter, attempts to make sock snug also made top too short by 3/4 inch. 
Lesson: Pay attention to what you think you’re doing!

Sock #4: (sidenote: start with a Big cone of yarn) Lengthened top, shortened foot. Foot is now too short. (Do they make foot-stretchers for men?) 
Lesson: Quietly sighing will get someone else to cook dinner.

Sock #5: Top fit. Foot fit. Toe had "wiggly" room. But this one passed! I actually got a "this feels pretty good!" So, Frank may not wear the sweaters and vests I’ve made him, but, by golly, he’ll wear the socks! Not bad for only 5 tries!

And now the sock....

THE Sock Pattern

Yarn Used: I had some 2/24 in an acrylic/wool blend, but I believe any sock yarn would work. Just substitute gauges. I also put a strand of wooly nylon in the heel and toe. A strand of lycra knitted in with the ribbing is also a good idea.

Gauge: 7.5 rpi, 10.75 spi. at Ten 5 on standard Brother machine

Size: Man’s Average

With ribber set up for 1x1 rib, cast on 84 stitches Tension 0/0. Knit circular rows and finish cast-on. (I really prefer an e-wrap cast on because it makes a nicer edge.)

Tension 1/1 Knit 22 rows in 1x1 rib. Add lycra in with rib if desired.  Transfer ribber stitches to main bed.

Knit 74 rows at Tension 5.

Shape heel: Put all needles left of 0 in hold, carriage in hold. Add wooly nylon. Pull out a needle on carriage side for 22 rows. Then wrap hold needle on carriage side and put hold needle opposite carriage side back in work. Continue until all heel stitches are back in work. RC 44. Break wooly nylon Take carriage off hold.

RC 000 Knit 70 R at Ten 5.

Shape Toe: (same as heel). Frank doesn’t like the toe seam to be under his foot or at the end of the toe. The seam must be on top of the toes for this to be an Acceptable Sock. To put seam on top of toe, shape toe on same needles as heel. If you shape toe on opposite side of bed, the seam will be under the toes. Don’t forget to thread the wooly nylon back in with the main yarn.

Change to waste yarn, knit several rows, and take off.

Turn sock over, right side facing you. (Yes, I did try this step with a garter bar. It does flip the sock over nicely, but the next step is impossible unless you have a teeny garter bar.)

Rehang all stitches left of 0. Then, turning remainder of sock so wrong side faces you, hang the remainder of the sock on the same needles. You now have two stitches on every needle, and only the seam side is open. Put the first set of stitches behind the latches and the second set in the latches. Pull the second set through and bind off behind the gatepost. This makes a tiny but sturdy seam across the top of the toe.

Repeat, reversing shapings.

Sew up the side seam by picking up loops. A  tiny seam is required here.

I think this is an excellent gift for any guy. I just never knew they were so picky about socks!