Help! I'm addicted to socks!

[zech13_9_goforgold]

I never thought that this would happen to me, because I thought that socks were too complicated for me to try. But, now I have tried them- and I'm addicted. I whipped out a pair of socks in two days (size 11 needles, chunky wool yarn) and I have another one almost finished on the needles (size 4 needles, sport weight yarn).

I made the mistake yesterday of letting my husband try on the sock I was knitting (for input) and now he's addicted to hand-knit socks too! This is a tragedy. I'm loving knitting them and now I have to do it! You should have seen his face when I told him (and my brother's face when I had him test out a sock) that I really wasn't planning on knitting him any socks (told my brother the same thing). The socks in question (on both instances) were for my dad. But, now I have to knit another couple pairs of socks for those boys. What am I going to do?

Knit away! Who doesn't want a reason to buy more yarn and knit more stuff? I just hope that my mom will forgive me if I don't get her afghan done in time for Christmas. "Sorry, mom, I was knitting socks instead."

[iowaorganic]

my DH did not see the allure of handknit socks until I finally sucked it up and knit him a pair. He is hopelessly addicted- but loves them out of worsted weight wool- awesome other than the fact that he destroys them in absolutley no time at all- so all that work for not very long.... Just watch your yarn... I am going to try double stranding knitpicks stroll sport.

[Krisis]

So, I am so scared to knit socks. I'm... yeah, just terrified. What should I know and is there a good beginner's pattern I should try first?

[caiesmommy]

I'm so with you! I did a couple pairs of tube style socks and just finished my first heeled pair and I LOVE IT! Seriously, all I can think about is going and buying more sock yarn. My F-I-L loves knit socks and the heeled pair I just finished are for him for xmas using a similar pattern to the one his mom use to use to make him socks every xmas...So excited for him to open them xmas!!

[zech13_9_goforgold]

I had a woman in my church that knits a lot of socks walk me through my first pattern. She photocopied a pattern for me and then answered my questions when I got stuck. She even came over during the scary heel turning part. That's the way that I learn best- side by side.

If you're a visual learner, then I would suggest the book, "Teach yourself visually to knit socks." I got it from my library.

I would also type in "simple/basic socks" into Ravelry and see what you get.

For me, the hardest part about a sock was not knowing how one went together. I could look at a picture and follow directions, but because I didn't know what part of my knitting corisponded (sp?) to which part on the picture. Here's a source from the internet to teach you.

I would say (as others have said to me) that if you know how to cast on and cast off and know how to knit in the round than you can knit socks. Other's would often tell me that a sock is easy except the heel and the toe (which wasn't very comforting). But, now that I know how to do those two things, it's a lot easier.

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

Originally Posted by Krisis

So, I am so scared to knit socks. I'm... yeah, just terrified. What should I know and is there a good beginner's pattern I should try first?

This article taught me to knit socks.

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/FEATsocks101.html

[punkysquirrel]

Originally Posted by Krisis

So, I am so scared to knit socks. I'm... yeah, just terrified. What should I know and is there a good beginner's pattern I should try first?

I am a total wuss about knitting socks. I'm too afraid to do it because it looks hard.

[broodymama]

Yep, me too. I want to, but just a bit intimidated. I have some lovely sock yarn I bought off Etsy and it's sitting on the table by the door, taunting me and making me feel guilty for ignoring it for 5 months.

[zech13_9_goforgold]

I totally understand how you feel- but it's not really that bad.

Do it in baby steps. Baby step- cast on the correct number of stitches. Baby step- join in the round. Baby step- knit the first round. Then, knit the next round. And, the next one- for like five inches. Then, baby step through the next part. And, the next one. Before you know it, you'll have a sock!

[Sativarain1]

sounds fun. but I'm still learning how to knit;so I'm not ready for socks quite yet

[DeerMother]

PP, I'm making dh a pair for Christmas. I've been warned by some seasoned knitters that I will have to make many more for him after he tries a knitted pair. I've made two pair for myself (anklets are so quick!) and I doubt I'll touch my storebought socks this winter.

Originally Posted by Krisis

So, I am so scared to knit socks. I'm... yeah, just terrified. What should I know and is there a good beginner's pattern I should try first?

A) use an online sock generator and make a pair of basic toddler/children's size socks. It takes you through all the steps w/o having a bunch of knitting in between. Plus, if for some reason you have to frog you're only frogging an hour or two of work instead of 8.
B)Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd. It has basic socks in different gauges so you just find the yarn and needles you like, make a gauge swatch and then bam! you're making a sock.
C) Lots of people on Rav have suggested Silver's Sock Class. I looked at it a long time ago, there were a lot of step by step instructions/w photos. It is free.
D)It is a lot easier than it looks. Don't be intimidated. just jump in there w/ both (soon to not be) bare feet!

[Laggie]

So... what is a good type of yarn that will last? All the yarn I have knitted socks with is worsted. Although I think DP wore through his because he wore them constantly!

[josybear]

a sock tutorial: http://584blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/...struction.html

laggie: try adding thick-ish polyester sewing thread when you're knitting the heel, as well as possibly the body & toe of the sock. just hold the thread doubled with the yarn as you knit, it adds a lot of strength. also try different yarns, since everything wears differently. the noro sock yarn i've used showed wear almost right away while the lorna's laces has help up really well. read reviews on ravelry.

yay sock knitting!