A lot of knitters have the problem of knitting one sock and then never quite getting around to finishing the second sock. Once the mystery has been taken out of the pattern, it's just not that amusing to go through again.
This malady is commonly known as second sock syndrome. There's no known cure, other that the knowledge that knitting only one sock means you'll only have one warm foot, which has always been enough for me.
Do you have this problem? Have you found a miracle cure? Let us know by answering the poll below and then adding your comments on this dreaded problem.
Poll: Do you suffer from second sock syndrome?
This malady is commonly known as second sock syndrome. There's no known cure, other that the knowledge that knitting only one sock means you'll only have one warm foot, which has always been enough for me.
Do you have this problem? Have you found a miracle cure? Let us know by answering the poll below and then adding your comments on this dreaded problem.
Poll: Do you suffer from second sock syndrome?
- No, because I've never knit a sock.
- No.
- Yes, some of the time.
- Yes, frequently.
- Yes, all the time!
- I've never heard of second sock syndrome.
Comments
Yes, I am suffering “second sock syndrome” right now. I finished the first very quickly but the second is just waiting on my needles, half-done. I “messed up” when picking up stitches and had to undo quite a bit, so now I’m so discouraged I don’t want to finish. Eventualy I will…
I ake on the second sock as a challenge. I compete with myself to see if I can do it in the same amount of time or less and if the socks come out the same (which can sometimes be a chore if you loose count). Have fun and make it a game and you will have two warm feet!!!!!
I don’t deal with sss because I knit both socks at the same time using the magic loop method. That way, both socks have exactly the same num,ber of stitches and rows, and when I finish, I am DONE! It’s not for everyone, but i LOVE ML
I’m with Mysticat; Magic loop and always two at the same time.
))
When I’m done I can put them on immediately
I used to suffer horribly from SSS, but now I do two socks at a time on two double points- I also do sleeves, mittens, you name it- the same way
I knit both sock at the same time, going back and forth from one to the other so the rows are even. I use 2 sets of double points and/or 2 circulars.
I once tried to knit both sock at the same time (two socks on two circs), but I didn’t like it. I wasn’t good at dealing with two balls at one time, so yarns got tangled up. Badly tangled up and was irritating.
I am now settled down with Magic loop method, one sock at a time. SSS has never been a serious problem for me. I don’t know why, maybe because I knit a pair that I (or my daughter) want to actually wear. Yeah, only one warm foot is not a happy thing. Or, maybe because my sock knitting is a mindless kind, I seldom choose complicated pattern so I don’t “burn out”.
And, I think I am kinda same league with Shari. Knitting the second can be a challenging game. I pretty much enjoy the process.
It’s true, I get bored with making the second sock so I think next time around I am going to try the Magic loop method (which I have heard about but have no idea how to do) and try knitting two at a time. My family loves my knitted socks and I can’t knit them fast enough.
I would suffer from SSS, but I have two sets of needles and do cuff on one, then cuff on the other, etc. I have tried the two circs, but took more time to figure out “where I was”, so haven’t pursued that method.
I hate SSS so I knit each sock on its own needle. I do Magic Loop and measure each sock against each other as I go along. I have also done 2 socks at a time with two sets of DPNs. I love Magic Loop best and I have enough needles for two socks in several sizes. I usually do an afterthought heel and the knitting really zips along!
Gosh – I guess I’ll have to learn the magic loop method. I thought I was so clever by knitting two socks at a time on DPN’s. Glad to see that I’m not the only one who figured out this method. I decided to use two DPN’s after my first pair of socks was finished with one about an inch longer than the other!
I have this every once in a while and found that joining a sock exchange helped (after all someone was expecting a pair) but found after the first one that it was getting boring – so I made one cuff-down and the other toe-up and it helped tons because the second sock -even though it looked the same- felt like a different sock!
the best method I’ve found is an old rusian method using double pointed needes. you knit two socks on one set. its great. the other good way I have found to avoid the one sock is to just run two sets of dpns and switch frequently between them. I haven’t tried the magic loop method, I think I’m jsut afraid
I have two different SS hiding in my closet.
I have suffered with SSS for as long as I have been knitting. I haven’t tried the ML method, but should. I always do items that can be flat knit as the same time (sleeves, sweater fronts, mittens, etc) but still do socks one at a time. I am like O-chica – I have a pattern I have made over and over and can do it in my sleep. I count rows – not inches – and that helps with having matching socks.
I always use magic loop, two socks on one needle. I used to get sss very badly, and this has saved me so much boredom! It’s also really helpful as there’s no way you can forget exactly what you did on each row, as you’re doing it the same all the time!
I never have that dreaded “second sock” syndrome–if I’m too bored to knit the second sock, I rename the first sock as a “Golf Club Cover” and that solves the problem.
Interestingly. I have never suffered from second sock syndrome because I have ALWAYS suffered from second sleeve syndrome. Go figger!
Yes second sock syndrome is a real hassle, have dealt with it by haveing two sets of needles and knitting up to various points on both – slows finishing one sock down but finishes them both at the same time – has the advantage making all sizings shapings and pattern changes the same
I found the perfect solution. I knit socks on a circular sock machine. My was made in the late 1800′s, but you can buy a nzak machine new. I can do at leat 2 socks in a evening or several pairs if I spend several hours at the machine. I love it. Each pair can be made in a different style by changing the ribbing, yarn or hem style
I have several single socks. Sooo…I taught myself to knit both socks and one time on 2 circular needles. It’s not that hard, and when you’ve finished one sock, you’ve finished both. Yeah!!
How do you knit two socks at once on double points? I am doing two at a time on a long circular, but I really miss my 5 needle double point method for single socks.
If I’m really “dreading”
the inevitable Second Sock, I will do a little side project–like a quick dishcloth–to cleanse my knitter’s “palate”, like eating a cracker between sips of wine at a wine tasting. I return to the Second Sock with renewed passion!
Knit your socks two at a time on two circular needles, for example if you’re using a US 3 needle use one 16″ and one 24″ circular and knit both socks together, you never have to worry about SSS again!