Didn’t get enough knitty bits from the book? The Joy of Sox designers talk candidly about a few hot sox topics.

Kate Buchanan on… sox toys
I’m a gadget freak in the kitchen, but when it comes to sock knitting, I stick with quality bamboo needles and luxury yarns to give me a high. Although I do have some gorgeous stitch markers that are like jewelry charms.

Star Athena on… the sox lifestyle
I talk about sock knitting to anyone and everyone… regardless of their interest or lack of. I can probably guess the yarn brand, color name, and pattern in a finished pair of socks before I read the details. And I have more sock yarn in my stash than all other yarns combined… and then some.

Amy Polcyn on… sox in public places
I keep an emergency sock in my purse at all times so I’m never without my knitting. Socks are perfect projects on-the-go. I knit socks at the playground, long lines at the bank or grocery store, at the movies… anywhere!

Alyson Johnson on… giving it away
My first pair was, of course, given to my then-boyfriend (now-husband). As for the first time with most anything, the socks were awkward and full of silly mistakes. And, as with other first times, the male recipient was just grateful for the gift, no matter the quality.

Lindsay Obermeyer on… secrets for hot sox
Honey, nothing beats cashmere for some amazing toe tickling.

Kate Atherley on… her first time
It’s always felt pretty natural to me, sock knitting. There’s a story in my family that my grandmother used to earn money by charging her neighbors a penny to turn the heel of socks they were knitting.

Kirsten Kapur on… post-sox bliss
My first impulse is to put the socks on my feet and admire them. Usually I have to fight with my daughters over sock rights.

Janine Le Cras on… learning about sox
I learned to knit by osmosis, sitting at my grandmother’s knee. She used to make traditional Guernsey and sea boot socks on dpns for my father who was a professional fisherman.

Lynn DT Hershberger on… sox in public places
There is always a pair of socks in my bag. One time I went to the grocery store, parked, and walked half a block or so to the main entrance… the doors closed behind me and I started to shop when I felt a tug as if I had caught a fish. I turned around and my sock yarn trailed behind me down the aisle, through the entryway, across the sidewalk, and seven or eight cars to my car. I had dropped the ball of yarn in the car before shutting the door!

Kate Blackburn on… marathon sox
I’ve knitted an adult sock in one day—a whole pair over a weekend!—when I was making a last-minute Christmas gift. But it wasn’t very enjoyable. I prefer to take my time and get more pleasure from doing it slowly.

Laura Andersson on… favorite positions
I’ve found that I can knit while I’m dozing off… and keep knitting in my sleep. Sometimes it means that I have to check the count the next day, but it’s usually okay for ribbing.

Alyson Johnson on… secrets for hot sox
Pick a hot partner, er… yarn. Making socks with a yarn you’re not attracted to really isn’t even worth doing, no matter how badly you might want some socks. Bad socks is NOT better than no socks.

Lindsay Obermeyer on… sox soundtracks
To get my rhythm, it’s the blues, baby: Muddy Waters, BB King, and Buddy Guy, with a dash of funk from Mr. James Brown.

Kate Atherley on… sox toys
I love my shiny new nickel-plated 6-inch sock needles. Smooth, slippery, and sparkly—really, what more does a girl need?

Star Athena on… best sox ever
I like to think I haven’t hit that achievement yet. There is always a new technique to explore. However, knitting the thigh-highs in this book on size 0 needles tested my will in a very deep way.

Kirsten Kapur on… sox in odd places
Where don’t I knit socks would be a better question! I’ve knit socks on the New York City subway, in restaurants and bars (including legendary punk rock club, CBGB’s), on the treadmill, and in the hospital while waiting for the doctor to bandage my badly cut fingertip.

Lynn DT Hershberger on… sox in high places
My favorite memory of Africa was when my friend and I were in a tiny propeller airplane over Ethiopia. I was seated next to a woman who was clearly afraid to fly. She said many prayers as we took off, but once we were in the air, she took an interest in my sock (which I had made with the colors of the Ethiopian flag). The woman picked up my sock, turned it inside out, and inspected it carefully with a smile. She put it back on my tray table and patted it fondly. I had made a friend, without a word. I will never forget that moment.

Mary McCall on… post-sox bliss
Oh, I gloat! I tell everyone who will listen how great my hand-knit socks are and then I refuse to knit them a pair.

Sabine Riefler on… her first time
I had been a knitter for quite some time, but I had never knit socks before I tried to make a pair for my mother-in-law. She measured her leg and foot, and I tried to make the socks according to her specifications. Whether it was her measurements or my total lack of sock knitting knowledge, my first-ever finished sock could only be used as a stocking—or maybe by a troll.

Janine Le Cras on… favorite positions
My favorite spot is in a deck chair on my favorite beach (often in a wet suit) between windsurfing sessions.

Kate Buchanan on… getting in the mood
Everything inspires me to design and knit. From my flat, I can see straight into a lively pub across the road. The colorful characters that come and go are always inspiring.

Alyson Johnson on… sox addiction
You’re either into socks, or you’re not. Sock people don’t really “get” non-socks-people, and vice versa—but we do our best to try to convert everyone we can!

Sivia Harding on… post-sox bliss
What do I feel like doing when I finish a pair? Dancing around my living room with nothing on but my new socks!

Kate Blackburn on… sox addiction
Commercial socks just don’t do it for me now that I’ve experienced the joy of wearing hand-knit socks. Fortunately, I have lovely knitting friends who make socks for me; I’m so busy making them for other people that I never get around to knitting pairs for myself!

Laura Andersson on… sox addiction
I love, love, love to knit socks. Sometimes I will do a hat or two—for the thrill of being able to knit JUST ONE of something—but, with sox, you can buy lots of yarn and try lots of colors. Do lace today, cables tomorrow, Fair Isle yesterday, and all three next week! Plus, they make practical and heartfelt gifts…. What’s not to love?

Kate Buchanan on… her first time
I was a sock virgin until just a few years ago. My first turned heel was saggier than my Granny’s old bra! I think the best advice is to grit your teeth and stick to the pattern. I know it looks weird when you read it, but have faith and you just might end up with a heel to die for.