When you get up in the dark on a January morning, and it is 5* with a wind chill of -12* and you look at what socks to put on, how do you choose?

I have a slew of hand knit socks. Some are from handspun yarn. Some are made with Kroy, Tuffy, Durasport, Peace Fleece, Peace Fleece Sport, Bearfoot, Step, Berroco Sox, Inca Alpaca, Mini Mochi, Naturespun, Lamb’s Pride. Lush,  and Cascade 220. Some are knit with 2 strands, some with one, one pair felted.

Do you know what? The warmest AND most versatile pair of socks I own are knit with Peace Fleece Sport and Durasport. The above TALL TREE SOCKS were featured at the Sock retreat last year and the pattern may be downloaded by clicking on the BUY NOW button. After 30 years of making socks, I think I have found the perfect fiber combination for wear and super warmth.

I am working on a new pattern with these yarns this month in anticipation of the Rip Van Winkle Sock Knitting Retreat next month. SWEDISH SOCKS will feature a heel I had never done. Necessity is the mother of invention, and it was created to fit the needs of the color stitch pattern.

But, aside from wearing good socks made from warm natural fibers in this weather, I highly recommend legwarmers knit with Lamb's Pride, Peace Fleece or Lanaloft Worsted. Legwarmers can go on over tights, over jeans and get you through any blast of frigid air. If you do yoga in chilly rooms, these will save your muscles. I manage a 3 mile walk daily in any weather in comfort with these on. The mentioned yarns are simply fabulous and hold up while holding warmth in. Lamb’s Pride is my go-to yarn for January and February socks, mittens, hats, sweaters and legwarmers. Peace Fleece is a little more rustic, and Lanaloft much softer, filling the needs for all knitters.

Want a simple pattern that I make and wear?

Weigh a skein of yarn with a kitchen scale, and mentally divide that # by 2. Write that weight on the label. Grab a 16” circular needle size 5, or 6, or 7. Cast on as loosely as you can: 40 stitches. Join to work in the round. Work in K1, P1* ribbing until you have knit through almost half the weight of the yarn. Bind off VERY LOOSELY.  Make the 2^nd legwarmer to match the first.

 Enjoy the winter by getting outside in it and BREATHE.

Happy knitting and spinning!
Claudia