How do you knit your socks?

[MaineDem]

Cuff down?
Toe up?
Four double points?
Two circular?
One circular?

Now that I have found the secret to socks I can't stop making them. I just love sock yarn and it doesn't take up much space in my "stash" mess.

I've been trying to figure out the toe up pattern but I can't get a handle on the Middle Eastern Cast On but I'll keep trying.

I started out on #4 dp needles and a fairly heavy wool. Now I'm doing them with one long circular (size 1 and a cotton/wool blend for the last pair.)

I just love knitting socks!

[photogirl12]

1. I have only started to knit socks.

The only thing that I have done so far is 4dpn's and cuff down. I have been using size 2 needles.

[MaineDem]

4. I mostly use #2 needles

I'm really liking the single circular needle, too.

Good luck with your projects.

[knitter4democracy]

2. Toe up sometimes, cuff down sometimes.

Always on five dpns. I've tried other ways, and they're not as comfy to me.

Right now, I'm working on some toe-up socks. I prefer the garter stitch short row toe and heel for those from the best book on socks, Cool Socks, Warm Feet from Lucy Neatby. Worth the money. It uses a provisional cast on for half the stitches to start the toe, and the wraps on the turns hide in the garter ridges. I like how the extra cushioning feels, too.

[MaineDem]

5. I've seen that book.

I'll have to get it.

I finally fund a web site that explains the cast on for the toe-up socks that I've been having trouble with. Looks like I can understand it so I'll try that with my next pair.

I tried a pair on 5 dpns but it felt awkward to me. As someone once said, there are no sock police. There are so many different ways to make socks that it only means we have different techniques to try.

Thanks for your answer!

:)

[knitter4democracy]

7. No knitting police here.

:)

Don't worry--just use whatever works for you and feels comfortable. That will make you more successful than trying to force something.

Are you trying to do the Turkish/Armenian toe where you "S" the yarn in-between the two needles and then knit into them? Cool technique but a bit on the tricky side. Makes for nice toes, though.

[MaineDem]

8. Yes, I'm trying to do that cast on

When I have some extra time (Ha!) I'm going to sit down and conquer that technique.

I just got two sweater patterns from Vermont Fiber Designs that I'm anxious to start. Plus the purse I'm finishing, and the socks I'm working on, and ... well, I'm sure you understand. :)

[knitter4democracy]

9. Ha! Yes, yes, I do understand.

I have a recent list on my blog of all my summer projects. Um . . . yeah. It's a tad embarrassing. :blush:

[shanti]

14. k4d

can you link your blog? i'd like to see some of your projects.

[knitter4democracy]

16. Sure!

Here's my main one:
http://riverwalkyarns.blogspot.com

Here's my sock charity blog:
http://saveoursocks.blogspot.com

I can't figure out how to put links to past posts on the side, but there are some recent projects on there from this month.

[Morgana LaFey]

12. I thought this set of instructions from KnitPicks looked helpful

enough that I'm going to order a couple of sets of Size 2 and/or 3 circs:

Two At Once, Toe-Up Sock
http://knitpicks.com/Two+At+Once%2c+Toe-Up+Sock+Pattern_PD50417220.html

One of the things I like about it is the "afterthought heel." Take a look and you'll see what I mean if you're not familiar with the technique.

[murphymom]

3. Only been seriously knitting a couple of years

I've gotten the sock bug big time too. What I love about socks is they're not a big investment in yarn, they're a small enough project to carry around, I have a fighting chance to finish a pair in my lifetime (unlike a sweater), and if my gauge is off and it looks like I'm knitting socks for Sasquatch it's not as big a deal to rip out what I've done and start over. I've finished 3 pairs so far, two for me, one pair as a gift and one pair on the needles.

So far, I've only tried cuff down socks using 5 double points. What I'm trying with the pair I'm working on now is using 2 sets of needles so I can cast on both socks at the same time and alternate between them so that when one sock's done the other is just a few rounds behind.

[MaineDem]

6. I feel that way , too.

I completely ripped out my first pair! I started over on smaller needles and learned that the swatch is indispensable! I always knit to check the gauge before I begin. I know it's a pain but it helps me.

A woman at my local shop was showing me how she knits both socks at the same time on one circular needle. I'm not sure I'm ready to try that yet. I do make it a habit to start the second sock as soon as I finish the first one, though.

Good luck with your knitting!

[WolverineDG]

10. Socks

I'm still aspiring to learn how to knit socks.

dg

[MaineDem]

11. Oh, keep trying!

They are not as intimidating as they first seem. Trust me.

My inspiration was the book "Knitting Rules!" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. It's funny and terribly informative. Also, the very knowledgeable clerk at the yarn store suggested the pattern "CLASSIC SOCKS for the family" by Yankee Knitter Designs (Pattern #29.) It's been very easy to follow. It has sizes from baby to men. I know there are other great resources including many online socks forums.

My first two attempts were pretty much failures but I took them apart and started over. I find knitting a gauge swatch is a must!

So if I can knit socks I know anyone can. On my next pair I'm even going to try cables!

Good luck and have fun!

[knitter4democracy]

17. I could send you my general socks pattern, if you'd like.

It might help make more sense of them.

[WolverineDG]

19. That would be great!!

Thanks!!

dg

[knitter4democracy]

22. PM me.

I'll need your e-mail addy. It's in Word--is that a problem?

[Morgana LaFey]

13. I've knit 2 pair and gave them away

The first pair was actually intended for my DIL. The second, I just didn't like them -- self-patterning yarn. Well, both were self-patterning yarn.

I finally realize I'm REALLY difficult to please. I despise self-patterning yarn, and I despise variegated (even most handpainted!) yarn. I want to put the color where I want to put it -- and of course, it's not like that's impossible for socks, it's just that the trend is in the opposite direction. It can even be difficult to even FIND sock yarn that isn't variegated or self-patterning. However, I do have some.

I've been "persuaded" by the yarn snobs that wool or one of those superwash blends is the ONLY way to go for socks. Eh, I'm not so sure. I live in the South and I don't buy wool for much any more, for a good reason. I love wool, but it's too warm for 90% or more of the year here, so it's not a good investment for clothing or knitting, tho there are notable exceptions (outerwear, for one, and a good winter scarf and maybe hat or several and yes, one or more pair of socks if that's what you want). But I finally got to thinking: Somehow I wear NON-wool socks every day, including winter, and for the most part am very pleased with my acrylic or cotton and sometimes rayon store-bought socks. Why on earth would I have to have wool ALL the time in a handknit sock?

Of course, there are now some cotton sock yarns and I bought some -- Sockotta -- in a burst of enthusiasm. Alas, they're variegated and I even started a pair of socks before I had to face facts (again): I loathe variegated yarn. I loathe it less in the skein or hank than knitted up, but I totally loathe it knitted up.

So, I pulled out a couple of skeins of my plain ole sock yarn and was all set to go, all I needed to do was pick a pattern. Now that's where I'm stuck. I'd like to DO something other than stockinette in this plain but gorgeous golden yellow, but which "something" shall I choose? Hahhah. Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy.

As for dpn's -- I'm not as much a fan. I got very uncomfortable the last time I used them with all those points sticking out at me ALL the time. That's one reason I'm interested in trying the 2 circs method. I ought to investigate the one circ method too.

[China_cat]

15. I use Knitpicks palatte for socks.

Comes in 47 different solid colors, 2 balls will make a nice pair of socks with some left over and it won't break the bank. Yes, it's wool, but a lightweight wool and actually keeps your feet cooler in the summer. I live in SC, so I know what I'm talking about.


http://knitpicks.com/Palette+_YD5420132.html

[knitter4democracy]

18. Try some of the nicer cotton yarns.

Cascade Fixation comes in nice solid colors and is a sock fave of many over at the Knitty.com messageboards. Elann.com has a similar yarn, too. Most of those come in solids, too.

There's another one I want to try, and that's K1C2's Wick. I hear it's great, and my mom's a racewalker, so I was thinking it might be good for socks for her.

[eridani]

20. Does anybody do any kind of heel or toe reinforcement? n/t

[MaineDem]

21. I haven't yet but

I know people that do. I haven't been knitting socks long enough for them to wear out yet. Maybe then I'll have to.

At my LYS the other day I saw some tiny skeins of reinforcing yarn in the same colors as the sock yarn. I think it was for trekking yarn or something like that. It was German in any case.

I'm interested in the answers you get.

[knitter4democracy]

23. Nope.

For sock yarn with nylon already in it, it's completely unnecessary. The nylon in there is really strong. I have a pair of socks I knitted up five years ago, and it's gotten lots and lots of wear, and it's only now starting to get thin in the toe and bottom of the heel. I still have the original yarn, and I plan on fixing it when it thins out a bit more.

There's the theory out there amongst us spinners that those reinforcement threads cut the natural fibers. If you look at fuzzy nylon or sewing thread or dental floss (the three I've heard of the most), they look sharp on one or more sides. I think they cut the wool.

[Grey]

24. Magic cast-on for toe up socks

From Knitty, you will love this.....

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html