February goal: knit socks
Since learning how to knit almost two years ago I have been slowly building up a stash of yarn to use for socks. Problem is, I don't know how to knit socks and now I have a bunch of yarn. In comes Craftsy to save the day!
For the month of February my goal is to knit my first pair and I'm learning how by taking the My First Socks Craftsy class. To be honest, I'm kind of waffling between liking the class and not liking it so far. Once I finish the lessons I'll let you know what I think.
The yarn for the first pattern is worsted weight and typically thicker than yarn used for most socks. It has been nice to use because I'm figuring out how everything comes together and it's really easy to see the stitches. I'm almost at the toe of the first sock and am excited to start the second. I know that's not a common feeling, but there are SO many mistakes on the first one that I can't wait to try and improve my skills on the second.
Do any of you have sock knitting tips for me?
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Once you get the hang of them socks are great - very portable for knitting on the go and make great gifts. The worsted weight ones are perfect for chilly mornings. Ravelry has about a zillion sock patterns for when you're ready to explore stitch patterns.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, my Ravelry list is already getting out of control haha!
ReplyDeleteOnce you've done a few pairs singly, I really recommend using one of the two at time sock knitting methods so you can avoid the curse of second sock syndrome. You may be immune, but I always find myself putting off the second sock because I want to try a new pattern. Plus it's really satisfying to finish both socks at once.
ReplyDeleteThat is a technique that I would really like to learn! I tried once, but I feel like I was making it more confusing than it needed to be.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great goal! I'm really enjoying this series so far. :) From what I remember when I used to knit socks, I found the "heel flap" method easier to execute cleanly than the "short row heel," which always left me with holes. I learned to graft (Kitchener stitch) on sock toes, which was quite an adventure with thin yarn, but totally do-able! If you already know how to graft, you'll be in good shape. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMagic loop socks two at a time are a million times easier than double points. I think it was Knit Picks that did a great basic free pattern that walks you through step by step setting up magic loop otherwise YouTube has videos. The only hard part of Magic Loop is the first few rows of set up, but once you are past that its cake!
ReplyDeleteIt can totally be confusing, I did my first pair that way entirely in stockinette because I kept losing my place in the pattern. But like most things knitting, once you get into the swing of it it can become second nature. Not that you have to knit that way of course, it's just the way I enjoy doing things.
ReplyDeleteHey I have that same liberty wool color on the bottom! Do you need more? Lol I can send it to you. I'm scared to knit socks but I really want to learn how because I saw a video on how to do the Kitchener (sp?) stitch and it looks magical!! Keep up with these monthly challenges! You're rocking it so far :)
ReplyDeleteI'm scared to try socks! Good luck with your second sock! :)
ReplyDeleteSusan B. Anderson has a great sock pattern called "How I Make My Socks". It's the first sock pattern I ever used when I was a brand new knitter. Some of the instructions didn't make sense to a newbie but I just trusted in the pattern and it worked out.
ReplyDeleteAfter you learn this way you need to try two-at-a-time toe up socks. The best way to knit socks. I love it, no second sock syndrome. Have fun with your socks and you may find sock knitting very addictive.
ReplyDeleteThere are about a million types of sock construction out there. If you don't like the cuff-down method (the traditional method with a heel flap and gusset), don't give up! Poke around on Ravelry and try toe-up socks, afterthought heel socks, and all that other crazy business. Sometimes it just takes the right marriage of yarn and pattern for things to click!
ReplyDeleteTaking the craftsy class was a good idea. To be honest, once you 'get' the construction idea - tube, turn tube, it's not that hard. The heel is the issue, word of advice, the easiest heel is the short row heel, if you are working in pattern, make sure that you have 1" of plain stockinette on the back of the sock above said heel. Really what you want is simple instructions, nothing fancy - the fancy comes when you are able to add interesting patterns, not in the construction itself.
ReplyDeleteI haven't knit many pairs of socks, but my advice is to just trust the instructions/pattern. My bad spatial reasoning skills have sewing figured out, but knitting still kind of mystifies me (I never see *how* something will work out, until it actually does). I think socks are especially mind-bending in that respect.
ReplyDeleteYay!! The only thing I seem to be able to knit are socks. I don't ever do anything fancy just a bit of ribbing at the top then straight knitting, but there's something very theraputic about it, and wearing hand knit socks is the bomb. You'll get the hang of it in no time!
ReplyDeleteThe two I always recommend for beginner socks are:
ReplyDeleteKnit Freedom's (the YouTube videos that accompany the pattern demystified toe-up cast ons and knitting two at a time for me) http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beginner-worsted-weight-socks-for-magic-loop-toe-up-or-top-down
and the Fish Lips Kiss heel/pattern:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fish-lips-kiss-heel
My feet are absurdly wide, so most generic sock patterns fit quite poorly. Learning how to custom fit made a huge difference!
You have such great and intimidating goals! I'm totally afraid of socks, even though I once knit a little stocking christmas ornament that used the exact method you would use for real socks and it turned out just fine. I'm looking forward to seeing them!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a great knitter so when I do knit, I am always asking my Mom for some help. Her usual advice which I will give to you is..." just do what the pattern says". LOL Thanks mom.... She is right though...I used to try to understand how the entire project was going to come together and I would be stopped in my tracks when I couldn't understand it. Now I just follow the pattern closely and see where it takes me and I am always surprised when it works! Good luck! I am sure they will turn out great.
ReplyDeleteI like knitting them toe-up but that's just a personal preference. But what I totally recommend is knitting two socks at a time. I do the same with sleeves, and saves me much pain when knitting the second.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I'm almost done my first sock (it's taking FOREVER but I'm loving it).
ReplyDeleteClaire
Awesome goal! Looking forward to read your review on that Craftsy class. I've wanted to knit myself a pair of socks for aaages, but being the procrastinator that I am I just knew that I would catch the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome. But, then I found the magic loop method of knitting 2 socks at a time. I ordered Melissa Morgan-Oakes two 2-at-a-Time sock knitting books. So far I've knit the 'sample socks' from the beginning of both books and I'm now slowly working on some basic socks for myself of my own design.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try toe up two at a time! I'll let you know how it goes :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I am so bad about over thinking things!!! I need to take your mom's advice!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Heather! I am excited to learn more and have a nice drawer of socks :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leah!!! I want to make the Water for Elephants pattern that you made someday :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erin! I'm going to try toe up socks eventually. I just got a book on them and I am curious :)
ReplyDeleteI justtttttt got a book on two at a time and two at a time toe up socks. I want to learn!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Cindy!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to look that up, I want to see this magic!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanne! I'm going to have to learn, everyone keeps recommending it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carolyn! I'm glad you are enjoying it, I was afraid that I was going to bore everyone haha
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tips!!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!! :) How is it going so far? My biggest struggle was the toe haha
ReplyDeleteYou should give them a shot! I feel like people have always told me they were "hard" and that put a negative thought in my head, but they weren't bad at all!
ReplyDeleteVanessa, I've been so bad about replying to comments, but I wanted to tell you how awesome your recommendations have been! I ordered the books you suggested and they are great!! Thank you so much for telling me about them :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! xo
ReplyDeleteI am the worst when it comes to that! I'm always over thinking things and that just makes everything more difficult than it needs to be! I need to chill out haha
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about the commenting thing. I'm just glad you found the books to be good. I haven't gotten around to knitting the patterns in the books, but I found the first sections to be a great introduction to knitting socks two at a time as well as knitting socks in general.
ReplyDeleteSock 1 is done and I'm halfway through sock 2. I knitted ALL DAY Saturday and my hands got so tired I could hardly pick anything up on Sunday. Lol. My issue was avoiding a holey gusset after I did the heel. The toe, like everything else on sock 1, was knit and then ripped out a couple times until I got it right. What pattern are you using?
ReplyDeleteI'm almost done my first pair of socks, and my goal for the second pair is to knit them at the same time. Any good books you'd recommend?
ReplyDelete