Second Sock Syndrome – Solved

Do you struggle with second sock syndrome? You have no problem knitting the first sock but then just can’t find the energy to knit the second? Grace over at Gnome Depot Fiber has a solution for you – Sock Pals!

No More Second Sock Syndrome

I generally have no trouble knitting a complete pair of socks. Knitting the second sock in a timely manner may be a different issue. But I’ve heard from many people over the years that they struggle with second sock syndrome. The idea of knitting a second version of the same thing you just knit does not appeal to them. So their single sock languishes without a match for some amount of time.

I learned about Sock Pals through the Laura Allyson Party, and happened to win a spot in the latest Spooky Sock Pals. When I first heard of it, I thought the idea was really fun but knew I had some ambitious knitting plans already. I didn’t think I could add sock knitting to that. There was a contest to take up a final slot and I threw all caution to the wind and entered. And I’m really glad I did.

How does Sock Pals work?

After signing up for Sock Pals, you fill out a questionnaire about your sock knitting preferences. This has to include your foot length, but can include information such as how many stitches you typically cast on, how long you like a cuff to be, anything like that. Then you’re matched up with another participant, but you don’t know who that is until the sock reveal party at the end of the session.

Grace then sends you half-skeins of two of her colorways that previously have been exclusive to the Sock Pals club. There was talk about Grace opening up this round of exclusive colors to the general public, so check Grace’s site for that. You are also emailed two different patterns and the notes from your sock pal’s form.

But I’m still knitting two socks

Yes but you’re knitting two different socks. You knit one sock, from one pattern, in one of the colorways, which will be sent to your Sock Pal. Then, in theory, you knit another sock, from the other pattern, in the other colorway, for yourself. “In theory” because at the most recent exchange, only two people had managed to knit both socks ahead of time. (I was very close to finishing mine before the reveal.)

So while participants are in fact knitting two socks, they are not knitting the same sock twice. Plus, you have the added bonus of getting to send off a package and receive one in return.

The sock I kept for myself was the Wildflower & Honeycomb Socks by This Handmade Life. I don’t know that I would have thought to pair a stripy sock yarn with this pattern but I really love how it turned out. The other pattern we used was the Snickerdoodle Socks by Melinda Measor. I really enjoyed knitting that pattern as well and am tempted to knit a pair for myself.

The patterns are included in the cost of the sock club. Grace made a special note that she purchased 12 copies of each pattern from the designers, which I appreciated reading. And Grace was readily available anytime a knitter had a question about either pattern.

All in all I had a great experience with Sock Pals! Rumor has it there will be another sign up session early in 2023, and I’m strongly considering joining. I will be moving house around that time (more on that later), so not signing up for things would be smart. But I don’t always do the smart things.