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norfolk
New Pal
USA
3 Posts |
 Posted - 12/19/2005 : 9:38:09 PM
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Hello,
I am new to knitting socks. Does anyone know of an easy sock pattern for a beginner? Also, should I start with dk weight yarn? I thought it might be easier than traditional sock yarn. |
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knits_for_preemies
Permanent Resident
USA
1957 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2005 : 05:36:53 AM
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I am assuming you've never knitted a sock before. If that's the case I'm just ahead of you--I've completed a beginner pair and a real pair for myself, almost.
(1) First thing I was repeatedly told here at KR forum was to use a bigger yarn (sport or worsted) so I could see the stitches better and the work would go faster on bigger needles. I would also recommend choosing a lighter color--I chose a dark color and it's a little harder to see, especially at night.
For my practice sock I used a basic sock pattern like this:
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/socksbasic2.htm with Woolease yarn.
I wouldn't worry about changing colors, just use the same yarn throughout. I made the socks without intending to wear them at all. I figured if they turned out okay, I could wear them around the house or, just give them to a local charity.
At any rate, Woolease is easy to get & cheap, so you're not out the $$ or nervous about messing up.
(2) RELAXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, this is a practice sock!!!!!!!
(3) Any cast on is fine, but I use the Old Norwegian Cast On--demonstrated on this site:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/
It took a little doing, but once you learn it, it is EASY. I like it because it is a good, stretchy cast on -- I use a slightly bigger needle to cast on, because you can tend to get the cast-on a little tight with this one. Once I work a row or two of ribbing, I put the right needles back in as I knit around the next row.
Most people seem to like 6" double point needles, I do, and wooden or bamboo seem to be friendlier to work with since stiches don't slip off as easily.
Once I get my needles set in the circular arrangement, I place a red stitch marker on my needle #1 and a green marker on my last needle. That way I know which needles are which down the line when I am working on the heel and gusset sections. I'm consistent with the colors for all my projects so I don't get mixed up.
(3) The videos on the site I just gave the link for are SUPER helpful. They have a video on using double pointed needles:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/advanced_techniques/
and when you get there, "how to do the heel" (just scroll down a little on that same page of the site).
(4) When you get to the finishing of the toes, called "grafting" or the "Kitchener Stitch" the video on that is under Basic Techniques "more":
http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/misc.php
Just scroll down to "Finishing" and "Seaming", and you will see "Kitchener Stitch"
I watched these videos repeatedly when I was trying to learn how to do a particular skill. They were a Godsend! Of course it helps to have a real human being sitting with you too, but that's not always possible or convenient. The videos also helped me be a better student when I did manage to have that help from a friend or local yarn shop.
(5) The folks here at Knitters Review are GREAT!!! They will patiently help with your questions as you go. They've certainly been wonderful to me.
(6) If you need a motivator along the way, just go to some of the online shop sites that sell sock yarn such as:
http://littleknits.com/index.php
http://www.simplysockyarn.com/StoreFront.bok
and look at all the pretty yarns you will be able to work with once you learn what you are doing. Drool....just can't get enough once you start!
I love working on socks. Hope you will, too.
 Barbara
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RoseByAny
Permanent Resident
USA
12598 Posts |
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adalton124
Seriously Hooked
659 Posts |
Posted - 12/21/2005 : 05:29:53 AM
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I like the cool socks, warm feet book. It's got a range of sizes to work from and a bunch of styles and really explains things well. And you don't have to use the self-patterning yarns, but it's nice to know they've been tested on them.
Angela |
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jenniferquinn
Warming Up
56 Posts |
Posted - 12/21/2005 : 06:18:24 AM
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I agree with Rose! I just knit my first pair of socks and got through it with the "How to Knit Socks" tutorial here at Knitter's Review. There is so much out there about sock construction, yarn, etc. and she just gives you what you need to know to get through your first pair.
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peskymac
Chatty Knitter
106 Posts |
Posted - 12/21/2005 : 09:21:51 AM
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One of the easiest and best sock patterns, IMO, is the one in Knitting for Dummies. It's the first pattern I ever used and I still use it to this day. It's a good, basic, cuff-down, heel flap sock that lends itself to countless variations when you're comfortable with sock making.
Plus, I really consider Knitting for Dummies my favorite reference book.
mac
pesky'apostrophe
http://www.peskyapostrophe.com |
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