Socks or Sweater?

[Twinklefae]

I'm an intermediate knitter, and looking at my next project. I'd like to knit myself either a sweater (I was thinking of this )
Or a pair of socks knit out of worsted wool to wear to bed in winter.

I've never made either socks or a sweater. Which one would you start with?

[mamasthree]

Well, I really like making socks....but I think there is nothing more gratifying than making a sweater. I have yet to make myself one, but I really enjoy making them for my kids.

Of course, socks don't take nearly as long.

[alaska]

I think either would make for a great project. If I were in your shoes, the one I'd choose would depend on which skills I wanted to develope.

[monkaha]

Which would you use the most? Which would be better to knit right now? For me, here in the hot and humid, I can't imagine holding enough yarn to make a sweater; socks would be perfect. Of course, that puts me at having a sweater ready to wear in March, after toting it around all winter, but hey. That's just me. YMMV.

[captivatedlife]

I a late beginner knitter (or early intermediate!) and my current project is a pair of socks. One down and one to go! Have fun choosing!

[josybear]

i knit socks, not sweaters, because i have a short attention span and a sweater would simply never get finished.

[lilyka]

Socks. that sweater pattern looks complicated.

[Mallori]

My MIL knits socks out of wool. She felts them then and they are really, really warm.

Same thing with mittens. Make them huge, felt them down. Even when they get wet in the snow, your hands stay toasty warm. Awesome for my kids.

[tristanaknit]

I would do both. LOL. Socks are a very portable project to take with me on trips and waiting for appointments. The sweater is something that I would work on in front of the TV.

[xanandali]

I agree about starting both so you can have a smaller and larger project both going. As far as the level of difficulty that cardigan is going to be a bit easier than say a basic sock from silver's sock class, but will probably take longer to finish. I personally like the instant gratification of a pair of socks, but a sweater just makes you feel really good when its finally done. That sweater will be very forgiving in sizing because of the ribbing so as long as you're pretty close for the size it'll likely fit too... so I lean towards the cardi.

[PattyCakes_726]

Make the socks first. They won't take long at all. Then work on the sweater.

[flapjack]

Both

[Twinklefae]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I will cast on both soon, but have been informed by DF that I'm not to buy anymore yarn until I finish a few of the projects I have lying around. Luckily they are almost all done.

On a side note, can anyone recommend a sock pattern for bedsocks? I'll post a pic later of what I want (I have a pair but have worn holes in the bottom) but they are knit out of thicker wool and are big and bulky. No good for wearing under shoes at all. Will it work to just knit a regular sock pattern in bigger wool?

[momoen1]

Originally Posted by Twinklefae

Thanks for all the advice guys! I will cast on both soon, but have been informed by DF that I'm not to buy anymore yarn until I finish a few of the projects I have lying around. Luckily they are almost all done.

On a side note, can anyone recommend a sock pattern for bedsocks? I'll post a pic later of what I want (I have a pair but have worn holes in the bottom) but they are knit out of thicker wool and are big and bulky. No good for wearing under shoes at all. Will it work to just knit a regular sock pattern in bigger wool?

You couldn't follow the pattern exactly if it was written for say fingering weight yarn, or you would end up with ginormous socks. There's this pattern where you plug in your gauge and your foot measurements for custom socks.

[cinnamonamon]

Or go with the silvers sock class -- there is an option there for worsted weight & 5 or 7's. I was just looking at the sweater pattern the other day; it looks like a nice basic every day sweater!