craftyhunnypie Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Inspired by crochet with Raymond, I think it's time I conquered something I can't do....Knit socks! So I'm looking into an easy peasy pattern that uses sticks (DPN's) & I'd also like some wool that forms stripes evenly. Nice wide stripes,instead of a bit of this here & there. I don't want any fiddly lace work of basket weave socks, I just want socks. Oh & ones that aren't too long ..more sort of normal ladies socks rather than trekking socks or ones that come up to your kness. So, anyone recommended where to buy my wool from or a kit & an easy peasy pattern? Have looked at ebay, but the kits have rather drab wool. Thanks. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teacake Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 this yarn makes really lovely patterns like a cheating version of fairisle - Rico Superba Mexico Sock Yarn I got mine from my local shop and they gave me a free pattern sheet with it. cost abot £5 -£6 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 I've ordered this kit in shade 415 yarnhttp://www.sockyarnshop.com/trekking/socks.html Do you think it will be ok? I've no idea how to knit socks - this could be some cursing fun! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 that looks good snowy is a bit of a sock diva im sure she would point you in the right direction if you got stuck cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 Snowy the sock diva. I'm sure to get stuck just casting on & knitting round on DPN's. Never mind the heels! Hubby has put an order in for some wellie socks for Xmas. He reckons they will take me that long to make - cheeky! I've just told him " let me get this pair made first love or else yours will be full of ladders". I hope the pattern is easy to follow. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teacake Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 youtube - there are a couple of video series that are essential viewing for starting off, and turning the heels x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 3, 2011 Author Share Posted April 3, 2011 Well that's how I learnt to crochet & that was in American terms. So it can't be any more difficult? Plus I can pause & rewind you tube. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 I followed these clips on Youtube - Doret has 4 short films for each stage of the knitting, I found them very easy to follow, and it really helped knowing what it was meant to look like as you knit! Good luck Emma - once you get the hang of it you will be hooked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 5, 2011 Author Share Posted April 5, 2011 Thanks Snowy. The kit arrived this morning & I am dying to give it a whirl. I will sit down later with a cuppa & watch you tube that you recommended. I just hope I can do these socks. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 6, 2011 Author Share Posted April 6, 2011 Oh my goodness - how tricky are these? I sat last night & watched over & over how to cast on with DPN's then join. I think I did the cast on right. I sort of made a loop by crossing the tail & yarn, then took the tail over the needle to the right & the yarn over the needle to the left. I then kind of did a manouvre to make a stitch / loop on my needle. I don't know if it's right, but looked ok. Then I distributed the stitches evenly, 20 on each needle. I then started my 2x2 rib. Heck, the first round was tricky & I don't think the join is too clever - think I may have formed a glorious ladder! I'm on round 3. I got very far didn't I ? Anyway, is there a book anywhere with diagrams I could follow for the cast on & joining? It needs to be very simple, as you tube I just couldn't follow. I got the hang of letting 2 DPN's dangle & quite liked using them - but how I want to knit these socks! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furball Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 OOOO i knit socks . I hate sewing up, i found a link from the ravelry site that was a godsend. Really easy to follow with pics and for any needles. Hope this works and hope it helps http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/SockClass_Start.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furball Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Apologies i can't get the link to work, if you copy and paste it it should work or just type in silvers sock class in google and it will work. I use 5 DPN' s as i found it didn't create ladders. The best tip i found was always put the point of the next working needle UNDER the needle just used as this also helps stop ladders/holes. Not very good at explaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamV Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 There is never enough socks I remember, when I was young, my grandmother was making socks and I loved them. So good luck in making your own ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickweed Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Emma, I always cast on and rib two or three rows on two ordinary knitting needles, then share out the stitches between 3 dpn. It just means that there is a small joining up to when the sock is finished. I am Knitting socks for my grandson at the moment, so if you like I could show you. Just pm me. I have knitted several pairs but I still do loads of unpicking when I get to the turning of the heels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 6, 2011 Share Posted April 6, 2011 Emma if you managed the casting on and first two rows AT ALL you did really well! That really is the hardest part! Keep going with what you have done, it will all start to look OK and they will get better the further you knit. Just don't expect your first pair to be perfect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 6, 2011 Author Share Posted April 6, 2011 They might have a bit of a laddered fishnet look to them, but I will keep going! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 I still struggle to get an unladdered look at the part where two needles meet! I can tighten it up by making sure the cross over stitches are done as tight as possible, but I wonder if there is an easier way? If you manage to get the unladdered look, do let me know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 I think crocheted socks might be easier. These are doing my head in! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Well I have to admit to being a sock addict and also a bit unconventional because I always knit toe up socks using a single circular needle and the "magic loop" method. This technique means you can try the sock on as you knit and so it is "made to measure" and since there is just the one needle there is no risk of the stitches all falling off when you put the work down. In fact, if you have a long enough circular needle you can knit two socks at once so that they are not only identical but it relieves YSA (yarn shortage anxiety). As you are doing the leg part last, if short of wool you just stop when you run out and don't run the risk of having to have one sock with a different coloured toe!!! Also, no sewing up to be done either. I use a short row heel which makes the socks look like "proper" socks rather than the gusset heel which I don't like the look of. I can look out my instructions for them if anyone is interested. I found a really nice stripey yarn with solid stripes on the "Drops" website which has some lovely free patterns for socks, gloves, hats, scarves and jumpers too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 7, 2011 Author Share Posted April 7, 2011 I would absolutely love your instructions please! I'd also love to know what yarn, what size needles & cable length, oh & how you cast on & join with your circulars! Surely this has got to be easier? Plus if I learnt this, I could also knit shrugs with no sewing up! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Oooh, yes please! I would love to try the toe up method! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furball Posted April 7, 2011 Share Posted April 7, 2011 The "silvers sock class" link i tried to post earlier does top down, toe up, and magic loop tutorial with step by step pictures, i haven't been brave enough to try them though, i stick to dpn's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
