Knitting Socks

There are probably dozens and dozens of blog posts about sock making. In the right sidebar, there’s a search space and you can type in “knitting socks” or something like that and you may end up with way too many posts to read but here’s a brief history and a bit of advice.

I had knitted for several years back in my college days but then stopped and had not touched a knitting needle in probably 20 years. In 2006, a blog reader, after reading over and over that I wanted to learn to knit socks, sent me a pattern, yarn and needles.

The pattern she sent is Socks for the Family and I’ve recommended this pattern for 12 years! It’s one of the best basic patterns. It includes multiple sizes and multiple yarn weights. It’s just a great plain vanilla sock. When I first got it, it was only available on paper. I kept a copy in my computer bag, in the glove box of my car, next to my chair . . I was so afraid of losing my original pattern. As soon as it was available on Ravelry, I purchased the .pdf and can access it through Ravelry anywhere, any time, though I have to admit, I have it all memorized.

My first attempt at knitting socks did not go smoothly but I did not give up. I had no idea how to fix a dropped stitch and would have to start over every time I saw a dropped stitch. I was using double point needles and was quite clumsy in the beginning and there were lots of dropped stitches. Turning the heel was horrible and I had to start over more than once after screwing that up. Now, it seems so intuitive and I cannot fathom why I struggled so much with it.

I get set in my ways and resist trying new things and almost without fail, when I first try something, I don’t like it.

When I first learned to knit socks, I started with double points and loved that method. It’s what I used exclusively for years. Everyone kept telling me to try the magic loop method. I tried it and didn’t like it. Later, after trying to knit socks in the car and dropping a double point needle and having to get Vince to pull over so I could get out and look under the seat for it . . that made me a believer in the magic loop method but I was still doing it one sock at a time. Over the past 8 or so years, I’ve tried knitting two at a time using two different circular needles and kept a constant mess with the two balls of yarn and two sets of needles. One day, it popped into my head that I could make two socks at a time with one long needle using magic loop and since then, that’s the only method I’ve used.

Also, I resisted all patterns that were toe up and now I actually prefer toe up. It isn’t a big deal to “reverse” patterns and make a toe up sock out of any cuff down pattern but most of the time, I  follow the pattern and do what it says because I’m a rule follower!  🙂

I like toe up because when I’m getting near the end of a sock, I’m ready to be done and get so tempted to stop before I’ve reached the target length. It’s not a big deal if I’ve already done the foot and end up making the leg a little shorter. Likewise, if I’m knitting while waiting at a doctor’s appointment or in the car and I’m knitting cuff down, when I get to the target length of the foot, that’s it. If I’m knitting toe up, I can keep knitting and make the legs a little longer . . keep knitting til I run close on yarn or til I get to a stopping point and can grab a different project.

I can’t imagine that I’ll ever knit socks any way except two at a time using one long circular set. Most instructions will recommend 32″ or longer. My favorite length is 47″ and my favorite needles are Chiaogoo size 2.25 mm. I use 2.5 mm some, but not often.

I will do another blog post with photos and I will do a third post with some helpful links.