Knitting Socks For The Absolute Beginner

Maybe you could 'point' me in the right direction to buy one like yours, as it looks perfect. Love the colour yarn by the way - and you could do classes in sock knitting! Oh my goodness, what lovely comments, thank you! I find that slipping the stitch on the heel flap makes picking up the stitches much easier, so if you don't do that already then give it a go.

My DPNs are 20cm Addi ones, I've put a link in higher up the page just after the second picture from the top where I talk about needles so that you can see them on Amazon although you might also find them elsewhere as well. I look forward to seeing pictures of your next pair very soon! Thank you so much, my grams has been knitting my socks on 4 needles forever but now she can no longer see to do it, I have had to make my one, I have been using two needles hangs head in shame but I brought a hiyahiya circular and your instructions for using a circular needle are perfect - thank you so much for sharing xoxox.

Wow, you've made my day with your comments, thank you! I'm so pleased you found the sock pattern helpful, and I'm sure your grams will be delighted that you're able to continue the tradition of "proper" socks! I have just come across your delightful blog. I would love to learn to knit a pair. After I have knitted a hat I will have a go. A great project for Hello Sarah, it's lovely to see you! Do let me know how you get on with your socks - although be warned, they can be very addictive! Popped over via Attic I like to knit my socks 2 at a time magic loop to avoid 'second sock syndrome'.

I've only ever knitted them 'toe up' though! Hi Sarah, it's lovely to see you! I suggest that you have a look at the "tension squares" post as there's some information on there about working out the number of stitches for your socks based on your knitting gauge. You can still try your sock on whilst you're working on it as you would for a toe up, so I'd recommend that you do that when you can as well to make sure you're happy with the size xx http: Already frustrated as when I was counting my stitches I forgot there was no knob at one to keep the stitches on the needle and off they came.

I did this three times. I'm determined to make a pair of socks though. Yes, it's absolutely fine to use four needles. I'll be talking about that in the first post on Sunday so don't worry, your socks will turn out perfectly! Already underway here with 12 rows ribbing k2p2 and 12 rows knit on 4 square needles US 3! Your blog and project came up while searching Ravelry for instruction on the heel.

This is my very first sock. It's lovely to see you, and to hear that the sock is progressing so well! Thank you so much for sharing this sock pattern Hello there--just a quick question for you. I usually knit my socks toe up so I can get the most out of my yarn, but I find I get a more satisfying sock working cuff down. How is the best way to determine your yarn usage?

I don't want a ton left over, but I'd really like to not run out. Any suggestions to that point? That's a really good question, Bethany! I've never worried too much about it as the largest socks I knit are about a UK size 8 and I know that I'll get those out of a g ball of yarn, and I use up my leftovers for blanket squares. I'd like to know the answer myself now, though, so I've had a look around on the internet and found this calculator which might solve your problem: Oo, that does, thank you!!! Although I never considered blanket squares and am thinking that would be a wicked fun project, so now I don't know if I mind my leftovers: Some people also choose to knit their leftovers into new socks, mixing the yarns to get unique colourways.

How to knit socks – a beginners guide

There's always something you can do with it, it's never wasted! HI got here via Lucy's Attic Living in rural Spain halfway up a mountain, it gets cold here in the winter http: Hello Tanya, it's lovely to see you! You might prefer the circular needles to the DPNs - which actually aren't that evil once you get to grips with them: It's better to use sock yarn with a percentage of nylon in it and wool or another fibre if you're making everyday socks to wear as they will be more hard-wearing and won't make your feet sweaty as acrylic yarn might do, but if you just want slouch or bed socks it would be OK, and certainly for practicing it would be fine xx.

I never knitted socks for myself before I have knitted baby socks with a heel in the past because I was sort of dreading it but now I have read through all the posts and i think I have built up enough courage to get started!

Hello Dees, it's lovely to hear from you! I'm so pleased that you feel you can tackle socks now - you'll be surprised how easy they are! Do let me know how you get on, and of course shout if you get stuck! Absolutely love your blog! Oh yes, hi from Ky. Will read this regular. Thank you so much!!! Love and hugs, Pat B. Can you tell me why I am having such a problem sourcing 2. The lady in the wool shop I visited today looked at me agog when I asked her if she had any, and all my usual online sources don't seem to sell them or they are sold out.

I struggle with the magic loop and I'm itching to get going! Thank you for any helpful advice. I think we've depleted the world's resources of 30cm needles, Kate! You could try using a 25cm KnitPro circular needle which will feel very similar in your hands as it has the same 7cm tips. Hi and thanks for the great instructions.

I am a knitter and love sock yarn but have never understood the mumbo jumbo of the heels etc. Your instructions and photos are awesome and I have ordered a short circular - as I have signature needle arts ones and they don't come that small. I cannot wait to get started and have clicked to follow on facebook etc. Hello, and thanks for visiting! You're going to love knitting socks, and the heels really aren't that difficult. Well done on managing to order a short circular - they seem to be in short supply at the moment!

I've been so fearful of doing socks and the term "turn the heel" invokes anxiety just looking at the words, but we are entering a new year so new adventures are in order. I will at least try! Thank you so much for sharing your story and pattern I feel a bit braver than I did before reading your blog: Socks aren't scary once you get into knitting them, it's all about trusting that the pattern will turn out as it should do - and it will: I received your book for Christmas.

On page 20 paragraph 2 it says to multiply the width of your foot in inches by the number of stitches per inch. Next paragraph says in your case it would be 8inches foot measurement x 8 equals Is your foot really 8 inches wide. It must surely be the length of your foot. Could you confirm this for me please. Hi Kate, thanks for getting in touch. You need to measure around the ball of your foot which is the widest part and that will give you the measurement that you need for the calculation. Thank you for this pattern. I decided just before Christmas to make socks for my mother who doesn't like a seam under her toes.

Now back to the jersey and blanket I was doing. I've made a small donation to the Peru fund and wish your daughter well on this expedition. Thank you so much, that's very kind of you and we're very grateful for every donation! I hope your Mum loves her socks my Dad thought it was hilarious the year he got one sock and an IOU and maybe it's a pair for you after your jersey and blanket?

Thanks for the pattern and tutorials. My socks are improving but so slowly! I'm also having a go at the mittens. I've made a small donation for Peru. My daughter did this one nearly 17 years ago! She was the only Spanish speaker in the group and boy did she learn some new words! Hope your daughter enjoys it! Thank you so much for your donation, we really appreciate it! I'm so glad that you're finding the patterns and tutorials helpful, both warm socks and mittens are useful for the weather right now, wherever you are in the world! Learning Spanish is still on the to-do list, but as the date gets closer the incentive to get on with it grows.

I think it's so important to have least have a grasp on the basics when you go to somewhere like this - and I'll look out for the new words when she comes home!

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Hello Christine, I found your Facebook group and joined a few weeks ago. I finally sorted out all my knitting needles and yarn. I remembered I had started some cabled socks a while ago, one is finished and the other is to start so I'll get on with that one. I also found some beautiful wool that I had forgotten I'd bought! They will make a lovely pair. I'm so inspired to get sock knitting again, I can't wait. I'm going to have a look at your free pattern and I seem to think you have a book as well? I must get hold of it. We went to Peru a few years ago and I loved looking at all the wool over there, your daughter will love it.

absolute beginner - questions about knitting wool socks : knitting

I hope she will visit Machu Picchu, it is incredible especially if you go up at dawn. Hello Sheila, it's lovely to see you! I think you'll really enjoy getting back into sock knitting, there are so many wonderful yarns and patterns that you could quite conceivably never knit anything else! Yes, Machu Picchu is on the itinerary with an intention to see it at dawn - I'm very envious and hope she takes plenty of photos! I've dropped hints about the yarn as well, or perhaps just leaving her clothes behind and bringing home a baby alpaca in her rucksack. Hello Christine, I just found your facebook page today and love it.

Thank you so much for these wonderfully clear instructions. I'm new to knitting and looking forward to doing socks. Following your tutorial, I may not be quite so intimidated. Thanks again, Mary G. Found this on Ravelry, as I was searching for a basic sock tutorial. I've been knitting for about 6 months, and thought it time to try my first socks, so here I am. I've made it through the heel flap and turning the heel, but I'm a bit lost on the next step of picking up the stitches. In my case, I cast on 72 sts, so I left 36 sts on my needle I'm doing magic loop and transferred the other 36 to a stitch holder.

Can you please tell me what I'm probably misunderstanding or not getting quite right? I really appreciate this great tutorial. Just got stuck in this one teeny spot! Hello, it's lovely to see you! Don't worry, the heel and gusset work out just right with the numbers - if you cast on 72 then you'll have 36 for the heel flap and 36 for the top of the foot so you're just right. You work your heel flap on the first 36 stitches of your round always keep going in the direction you've been knitting and then you pick up one stitch for every two rows of heel flap - this is easy to work out as you just pick up the big slipped stitch at the end of each heel flap row.

It doesn't matter if you have a few more or a few less picked up stitches as the number of heel flap rows you did may be different to me, but you will have considerably more stitches on your needle as that's what's creating the gusset down the side of your foot. As you complete the gusset, you decrease down to the number of stitches you started with in your case 72 and carry on down your foot.

Thanks for the timely reply! This does clear up a few things, so I'll try it again tomorrow and see how it goes from here. Overall, your directions have been very easy to follow, so I think I just needed a breather. I've got a couple other spots that I could improve on, so thankfully I decided to make a "prototype" first.

That's great to hear! Yes, sometimes you need to look with fresh eyes and it all becomes clear. If you're on Facebook and haven't joined our Sockalong group, it might be something you'd like to do as there's always someone around to help and it's easy to post pictures of where you're up to if you're stuck.

You'll be amazed at how easy your second sock is! Yes, I'm really looking forward to the second sock. When using a long tail-type cast on, should I count 2 rows worked flat at the beginning in addition to the CO, or including the CO row?

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Incidentally, I'm using the Channel Island cast on, but what do you usually use for these? Thanks once again for the help! Any stretchy cast on will work fine for socks - as long as you can get the cuff over your foot then the choice is yours!

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I don't know if it really matters where you start counting either as long as you do the same for both socks; an extra round here and there really isn't going to make much difference! Thank you ever so much for this pattern. I'm usually seen crocheting blankets but you have inspired me to take up the pins. One silly question though, when shaping the gusset, do you repeat rounds 2 and 3 until you have decreased to the required amount, or is it rounds 1 and 2?

Also, if decreasing using rounds 2 and 3, when at round 2 it says at the end knit to marker, does it mean knit to marker and then do round 3, or does it mean at the end knit to marker however 3 sts before that marker do the decrease ie the end of round 2 incorporates the start of round 3 sorry confused! Also sorry at what stage do you take the marker out which denotes the start of the round - inserted at round 3 of the ribbing?

I'm glad you've been tempted to try out the pointy sticks! No question is a silly question, so don't worry about asking. For the gusset, you repeat rounds 2 and 3 until you are back to your original number of stitches. Rounds 2 and 3 merge into each other so perhaps it's easier to consider it as Round 2: On your decrease round which is every other round, you are decrease before and after the top of the foot markers to create your gusset. You'll need to take out your original marker from the ribbing when you come to do the heel flap - it will fall off your needle then anyway so there's no need to try to keep it on.

Thank you very much for your help! I am Pleased to say I have made it ready to shape the toe! However I have a problem. At this stage I have two markers in my socks. FYI I originally cast on 52 sts. My first marker marks the start, however, my second marker, working anti clockwise, is only a few sts away from the first. Each marker representing where the shaping of the gussets happened. If I follow your instructions and k1 ssk, k24 sts etc, and place a marker, this will result in my toe shaping being top to bottom rather than either side of the toes.

What have I done wrong? I started off shaping the toes and when I realised the seams were going to be vertical rather than horizontal, I have removed the second marker and frogged back to the first marker. Was I supposed to remove the second marker when I started doing the foot length?

Even so, had I have removed the second marker, my toe shaping would still be vertical rather than horizontal. Not sure where I have gone wrong. However I am now sat at the first marker, in the top of the foot, wondering what to do now. Feeling a bit silly now, I must have gone wrong somewhere because your instructions are wonderful. Don't worry, Emma, we'll sort it! If your markers are so close together then it sounds like something might have gone wrong with your gusset decreases. Did you keep the number of the top of the foot stitches the same in your case it would have been 26 and decrease on either side of them or do you think you might have decreased across the top of the foot instead?

That would explain the markers in the wrong place. If that's the case, you've got two choices now: To get your toe shaping from where you are, then work from the first marker if you are sure that is in the right place. Just count 26 stitches from that marker and that's where your next marker will go, so in between you'll have K1, SSK, K20, K2tog, K1 on both sides of your foot you have a decrease either side of each marker.

Thank you for your reply. I'm not sure what went wrong either! As I had a marker at the start of the round just about to toe shape , I worked out where the toe shape decreases should be well equal spots both sides and placed a marker, and duplicated the same on the other side so the decreases would be equal in both sides. It ended up ok! I'm afraid I'm not a frogger - all those stitches to drop and pick up Thats the reason I crochet and not knit lol!

It's not put me off though - on to sock two!! If your sock has worked out OK then it's a success! And you'll find that number two will be much easier. Well done on working it out! You should already have one marker in place showing where your round starts, and you place the second marker after your decreases and knitting across the toes. If you've cast on 60 sts, the second marker should be between the 30th and 31st st - ie, exactly half way round your round. Don't forget that there are lots of pictures in the Sockalong tutorials although it sounds like you're pretty much there with your first sock!

This is a fantastic tutorial and pattern, so easy to follow. Thank you for making it freely available - now on the sixth pair of socks and totally addicted! That's brilliant to hear, I'm so glad you've got a drawer full of "proper" socks now! Hello Christine, Today I mentioned to my mum I'd love to get into sock knitting we mainly crochet and I also quilt , she mentioned she'd heard of you over at the attic24 instagram, so I popped over here to take a look.

Just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to write up all of your wisdom and patterns, and for you generosity in making them freely available! I've found this post inspiring and reassuring and now I'm even more excited to get some needles and pretty wool and start my first pair! Hello Beth, it's lovely to see you! There are so many fabulous sock yarns you're going to be spoilt for choice and the self-striping ones are one of the reasons that sock knitting is so addictive!

Good luck with your socks, and do shout if you get stuck! I'm on my 2nd sock with dpns, and apart from grappling a bit with the Kitchener stitch, loving it. Must try a circular needle. I've tried a long circular before for sweaters etc, but found the knitting got too heavy, but socks are a different thing. Already planning my next pair. Thank you for posting this easy to follow pattern. Socks are much easier on a long circular as they're not as heavy so you find that you can go much faster. It sounds like the sock bug has got you already! Hi from New Zealand!

I'm about to knit a pair of socks in men's sizing by casting on 68 stitches. When picking up the gusset stitches, instead of the 19, would I have to pick up 21? Thanks for a great pattern: The number of stitches that you pick up for the gusset is dependent on the number of rows you have in your heel flap.

Your heel flap should be about 2" long you can measure it against the foot to check if it needs to be longer and you pick up one stitch for every two rows. Where you will have to change the numbers is on the heel turn - your set up row will be p1, p18, p2tog, p1. Hi, thanks for your lovely pattern, I have been determined to master sock knitting for a while but I am completely stuck: I just don't understand the turn heel part.

Do I just repeat rows until all the stitches are used or am I being completely dense? Hi Jane, what you're doing is creating a V-shaped heel and row 1 is your set up row to get you to the middle of your heel flap. Rows 2 onwards are your decrease rows which decrease one stitch on every alternate row, pulling the sides of the flap around to make the V shape. After row 4, row 5 will be Sl1, P8, P2tog, P1 and then K9, then P10, then K11 etc so that you're increasing the size of the heel flap and decreasing the number of stitches at the ends of your needle with each row.

Does that make sense? Dear Mum, just wanted to tell you that I did as you said and I was able to turn the heel successfully. Doing 2 socks at one time and it will help greatly when I tackle the second one.

See a Problem?

Thank you again so much. Hi There Thanks for sharing the pattern. This is my first attempt at knitting socks so here goes my first question; after I have knitted the 16 rounds of rib, you say on to leg part now 'knit each round' isn't the leg part knitted in stocking stitch therefore 1 row knit and 1 row purl?? Hi Maree, because you're knitting in the round you're always going in the same direction so you only need to knit to produce the stocking stitch. Trust me, it works! Have you found the Sockalong tutorials to help you along as well? Hi there, i'm a crocheter and spied attic 24's blog posts about learning to knit socks, i'd love to learn but i find it difficult to learn new things with written patterns and pictures alone and wondered if there was a video tutorial for your pattern at all?

Hi Gwinni, it's lovely to see you! I don't have any video tutorials at the moment, although I think that's something I should definitely consider to go along with the Sockalong tutorials.

See a Problem?

If you're on Facebook you could join our Winwick Mum Sockalong group so that you'd get real-time help if you get stuck xx. Hi, Christine, Just wanted to say thank you so much for your blow-by-blow instructions here. I followed them to the letter for the first pair of socks I've ever made and the first time I've used circular needles and DPNs! The worst part was the grafting at the end!

Plan now to make several more pairs. Another one from NZ - this time the South Island. Fantastic pattern, have made a first sample so I know it works. Will pull it apart and complete a proper version. Suggestions - turn heel - specify to repeat rows 3 and 4, state how many stitches there should be at a couple more stages. The pattern is intuitively correct, easy to follow. Nice shape to the sock. My go to pattern for socks now and I tried quite a few before yours.

The part I got lost in was after the pick up stitches for the gusset but this was because it was just a sample, will use a pencil and paper I'm sure it will be fine. I also tried it on DPNs, which weren't long enough for the number of stitches. Do you find that the circular needles come apart at the join? Oh well they're still the best bet. Thanks for the pattern. Hello, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

I'm glad your socks have turned out OK, don't forget that there is more information and more photos in the Sockalong tutorials if there are places where you get stuck: I love your sock tutorial. I am a "show me how" person. Your pictures are worth a thousand words. I am working on my first pair of socks.

Thank you, thank you. That's great to hear, I'm so glad they're helping, Jacque! I am enjoying you blog so much. I feel fortunate I found it. Especially love the socks tutorial. You say to knit 2 rows of rib before transferring to circular needles. Is that to say that you will join the round on the third "row"? I'm imagining 2 rows of rib not connected and then joined in the round only when you start with the circular needles.

How do you get it connected all the way to the top of the sock? Yes, that's quite right, Trish, you join at the end of the third row after you have transferred your stitches to your circular needle. Yes, there is a gap, but you've got a tail end to sew in so you can just sew up the small gap with your tail end and no one will ever know. You can join into the round straight from the cast on if you like, but I have found with beginners that it's easier to rib two rows first so that your stitches are less likely to twist xx.

Hi, I learned of you and your sock tutorial on Attic24 with Lucy. She has given me the confidence to try! I ordered my sock yarn and was just about to get my needles out when I came to find that here in the U. What do you suggest I use? I so wanted to start these over the Christmas holiday but I don't know what to use. Can you help me please?

Hi Lori, it's lovely to see you! I suggest you try either a US1 which is equivalent to our 2. When you cast on, just choose a size bigger to make sure that your edge isn't too tight to get your foot through. Hope that helps - and have a lovely Christmas! Hi, I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to reply to you.

Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it. I wasn't able to cast on as planned, I had to order the needles. Hopefully it will be a New Years cast on. My New Year's resolution for was to learn to knit. I can now cast on, knit and purl stitch, It looks messy but I'm staying with it.

My goal is to make tons of beautiful socks and hats and maybe, just maybe a sweater or too. I'm an intermediate crocheter and I must say it's apples and oranges right now, lol. Stick with it, Peggy, and it will all get better - you were a beginner crocheter once too! Once you can knit socks you can knit anything, so that sweater isn't out of your grasp at all: I've just completed my first pair of socks and I've only had two very small sections that had to be unpicked.

This was such an easy pattern to follow. My children now want their own pairs. Will it be possible to use a 30mm short circular. They have small feet so I'm sure I won't need too many stitches. I've not worked out how many to cast on yet. I have a feeling the 30mm circular will be too long.

Hello Susan, it's lovely to see you! We have included a LARGE number of photos and clearly written directions to make it as easy as possibly! This is perfect for the first timer, or if you just can NOT understand other sock patterns. Once you understand and can do the socks provided here, other patterns will be much more doable. Kindle Edition , 48 pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Jean rated it it was amazing Mar 21, Cheryl Bontrager rated it liked it Dec 29, Karen Pavia rated it it was amazing May 08, Tricia rated it liked it Jun 21, Erin marked it as to-read Jan 17, Alid added it Aug 31, Cheryl marked it as to-read Jun 05,