Sock Wars

A Little Sock Wars History

Sock Wars was started in 2006 by Julie Gardner of Belfast, Ireland.
Helen Waittes in Titusville, Florida, took over as organizer in June of 2008.

Sock Wars I
The first pattern was called the “International Sock of Doom”.
Competition started Sept. 22, 2006.

The original rules of Sock Wars were:
1. The first rule of Sock Wars is, you must talk about Sock Wars.
2. The second rule of Sock Wars is, you MUST talk about Sock Wars. (no really,
for this to be a success we need as many combatants as possible).
3. Two socks to a fight.
4. One fight at a time.
5. No shirts, no shoes, just socks.
6. Fights will go on as long as they have to.
7. If this is your first time in Sock Wars, you have to fight.

Sock Wars II
Sock Wars II started on October 13, 2007.
It was won by Leann Nassartook of California.
The pattern was called “Scar”.

Sock Wars III
Sock Wars III started on May 9, 2008 with 1,152 knitters.
It was won by Heidi Delp of Norway.
Lynne Evans won Knitter with the Most Kills by killing 13 fellow competitors.
The pattern was called “Detonator”.

Sock Wars IV
Sock Wars IV started on May 15, 2009 with 282 knitters.
It was won by Jenny Radigan of Arizona.
Carol Sokel won Knitter with the Most Kills by killing 7 fellow competitors.
Knitters competing in Sock Wars IV selected 1 pattern from these 3 patterns to kill their target.
The patterns were Insidious by h.e. wintermute of Limedragon.com,
Air Raid Socks by Emily B. Miller of Skyline Chilly,
and Barcelona by Helen Waittes.

News Articles

New Fiber Types Add Comfort, Style to Socks by Michelle Devera, San Francisco Chronicle, May 16, 2009.

Sock Wars: Do You Have What It Takes by Mary Mooney, The Oregonian, April 8, 2009.

Sock Knitters Get Deadly Serious Until the Last One is Left Standing by, Wall Street Journal, December 19, 2007.

It’s Needles at Dawn as Julie Starts US Sock War by Linda McKee, Belfast Telegraph, December 20, 2007.

HMB Knitter is Deadly with Yarn and Needles by Stacy Trevenon, Half Moon Bay Review, January 2, 2008.

The Bloodthirsty World of Sock Wars by Peggy McMullen, The Oregonian, January 8, 2008.

Let the Sock Wars Begin by Claire Sibonney, Toronto Star, May 8, 2008.

Armed with Yarn, Socking It to ‘Em by Carol McGraw, The Colorado Springs Gazette, July 29, 2008.

Videos and Podcasts

Sock Wars III by CAT Susch of Let's Knit2gether, May 24, 2008 and June 21, 2008.