I've gotten into sock knitting. (ok, I've knitted a total of 4 socks at this point)

They're quick (well, quicker than sweaters), use up my ever growing stash, and everyone can use another pair fo socks.

Anyway, I'm looking for sock knitting resources, projects, tips, etc. So do you have a favourite sock knitting book? (or books?) Good web sites? Great sock yarn? Online sock resources?

-gg

Hi Amy! The only sock book I've got is Kat Borda's "Socks Soar on Two Circulars". It's smaller than I expected but it's got some good general information on using the technique along with a dozen or so patterns. I haven't progressed from that first pair that I did (I'm obsessed with sweaters right now) so you can borrow it if you want. Are you going to be at the Cricketer's Monday?

aw bummer, I have class on monday night I wish I could go. and I almost bought that book. I've seen some of the instructions on how to do that method on the web. Like this one: http://www.afghansbydesign.com/p_circular_socks__lesson_1.htm
I have a copy of that Sweater Workshop book you showed me on the way, so I'll probably be joining you in the sweater obsession soon.
-gg

There's a socknitters yahoo group that I joined when I first started knitting socks and they have a couple of basic cuff down and toe up sock patterns. Knitting on the Road is the first sock book I purchased. There are tons of sock patterns available for free on the internet and you can get many of the patterns of the socknitters.com website.

It's very addictive, this sock making thing. I know I go through periods when all I think are socks.

I would recommend choosing a wool yarn with 10-15% nylon which will keep the socks from wearing through as fast as pure wool. Cotton is fine as long as they fit exactly but since cotton doesn't stretch there is no forgiveness room. And, there is a fuzzy foot pattern on knitty.com which shows you how to make oversize "socks" and felt them to get great cold-weather slipper like things. I made them last winter and they're my favorite. I'm actually looking forward to winter so I can wear them again. How sick is that?

I like Ann Budd's Pattern Book for socks, cause it does the math for different gauges of yarn. I like using worsted weight for winter socks, because it gets plenty cold where I live, and thick socks are a nifty thing. I also like the lion Brand sock yarn -- you get a lot of yardage,and it's self-patterning.

folk socks is probably the best sock knitting reference book around. it gives you how tos on all different kinds of heels, and toes, as well as a brief history.

as for yarns, I like regia or opal as a standard, and koigu premuium merino as a luxury, although for a heavier weight sock, noro keuryon knit on 2s (it's a worsted weight yarn so that is very very very tight, since it's a very soft worsted and I want the damn things to wear well) makes beautiful socks.

I really want to knit socks.
I can increase and decrease but I am afraid of socks.
I can knit on dp needles but I really don't like it. I much prefer circular needles.

The idea of 'turning a heel' gives me the willies.

Maybe I could knit tube socks...

EmmaK

There are really good directions on the red cross knitting site (you can see it through the afghans for afghans site here:
>http://www.redcross.org/museum/pdfs/knitting_socks.pdf

with "turn", meaning pretend like you finished the row and switch needles. Turning the heel is just making decreases, starting at the center of the row and working outward. After you've done it one time, you'll be all set.

It's probably easier to use worsted yarn for your first pair, as it can be kind of a hassle w/all those little stitches when you're first starting out.

EmmaK, you sound like me! I hate DPNs and I'm terrified of "turning a heel". Nevertheless, I have managed to knit one pair of socks! You use two circulars to knit both at once and it uses short rows for the toes and heels instead of the normal turning. You can see a picture and get links to the pattern here: http://www.web-goddess.org/archive.php/postID/2743

repeat after me:
turning the heel is not scary. neither are DPNs.

seriously folks, try it. like learning anything new, it's easier than you think, though it might require some practice. Have faith in yourself.

Besides, it's not brain surgery, where if you screw up someone might not walk, or could die. If you don't like the results, take the needles out and rip the darn thing out.

(short rows are fun, but I don't like the way the heels and toes fit me. I have to keep playing around with them to make them more my foot shaped and less pointy.)

Good attitude Jen, I wish I had the guts to start a pair, but my problem is that I have a really hard time visualizing stuff and working from patterns unless someone shows me. I was watching this show called knit one purl two on the DIY network and created a lovely baby blanket complete with yarn overs and knit togethers and yet I would have never attempted it w/out being 'shown'. Maybe I should just get over it, b/c I'd like something small and inconspicuous that I can knit on my lunch hour.

jt

There is a book by Melanie Falick for kids that has a tube sock pattern in it. It's called "Kid's Knitting: Knitting Projects for kids of all ages".

re turning heel: it is not NEARLY as mysterious as is sounds. truly!

SO let's say the directions state 'Knit 13sts, sl1, K1, PSSO, turn' what you do is knit 13 stitches, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass the slipped stitch over knit stitch and then TURN the work around. LITERALLY turn it back to front and then continue on to the next row. it is that easy. promise! It is really weird the first time you do it because you don't come to the end of a row and then go to the next one, but you'll get the hang of it.
And remember, when you are working on the heel you have it on two of the four needles and it makes sense when you have it in your hands.

here is a great link with photos:>http://www.royea.net/sockdemo1.html
it helped me to get over my fear of the DPNs. (there is a photo on page 2 of the tutorial if you can't figure out how to hold the DPNs. that was my biggest problem)

-gg

for sock knitting and lace especially, the key is really just to do what the instructions tell you to the first time around, and not even think about it.

Trust that it will work out. Sound like Yoda, I do.

And socks are great because they are so portable.


Jen

can anyone recommend a good size circular needle, I was thinking of trying the two at once technique. Also their favorite yarn? I'm thinking of starting as soon as this baby blanket is done.

jt

I like regia and fortissima colori for sock yarns -- there are a couple of websites that have really good prices, and the yarn feels great. It's a superwash wool/nylon blend. I heard Opal is good too, I've never used it but the colors are nice.

Sockotta is also good -- but I like yarns that make stripes, and theirs is a more zig-zaggy pattern. Lion brand has some that are pretty funky-cool. The last two I mentioned have enough yarn in one ball to make a pair of socks. The first ones I mentioned will require 2 balls of yarn, so it's more expensive.

I also like using worsted weight yarn, and Naturespun has a washable-wool kind (but I've never used that brand.)

I use size 2 (US) needles, but I use bamboo dpns -- very light, but flexible and the stitches don't fall off.

I think Addi Turbos are great circulars, but I've never used them for socks. The join is really flexible, so you don't feel like you're fighting against the cable. The ones with the metal tips will make you knit faster, I think.

Thanks for the tips. Size 2 eh? I'm using 11's and was thinking about how the 7's that I'm knitting a scarf on will take forever. But then again socks are much smaller than a scarf :)

When I get my next paycheck I'll have to go out and get some yarn, hooray, I love buying yarn :)

jt

Use worsted for your first sock -- sock weight yarn will try your sanity. I like to use US 5's or 6's for worsted, and a skein of brown sheep or Plymouth Galway should be plenty of yarn. I think 7's should be fine too. After you've made a pair, then try the sock yarn -- you don't want to have to do a bazillion stitches while you're learning what you're doing. Check online for the sock weight -- sometimes the prices are way better.

one of the things to remember when knitting socks, is that you want to use smaller needles than you would normally use. I start people on worsted weight yarn to make socks, but go down a couple needle sizes if you want them to wear at all and not develop holes immediately.

Bonnell --
Not to hijack, but have you ever used reinforcing thread in the heels and toes? If so, was it useful?

Also -- gotyarn.com has good sock yarn on clearance.

YARN SALE!?!?!?
I'm off!
-gg

I don't bother with reinforcing yarn. For the most part I use Regia or another form of sock yarn that's got a touch of nylon in it--that's for socks that go under shoes.

For the koigu or any non-typical sock yarn that doesn't have any nylon in it, I just knit those suckers super tight, sometimes continuing the slip stitch pattern on the heel down the foot and on the toes. Generally after one or two wearings they'll felt at points of wear and make it somewhat stronger, though I have on occasion darned the toes to reinforce them.

Thanks! I wasn't sure before if I should spend time trying to do it or not, but I won't bother.