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Topic: Knitting socks?

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JennyMaine
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Posted: June 26 2007 at 1:05pm \| IP Logged

I'd like to try my hand at knitting socks for this fall and winter. I'm a beginner to knitting, though, and I'm intimidated! I only learned to knit last fall, creating some scarves, prayer shawls - really basic stuff!

I looked at this book at Borders this weekend, and might pick up a copy. . .Favorite Socks. The socks in here are simply beautiful and not "chunky" homemade socks.

Any advice on learning to knit socks? Any favorite resources for this? I've discovered since initially starting knitting that now I'm lost without something in my hands to work on!

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J.Anne
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Posted: June 26 2007 at 2:47pm \| IP Logged

Jenny, I am working on this too. I first picked up how to rib and then learned knitting in the round. Next up is figuring out the heel. Mary, help?

And yes, a pattern would be a nice place to start.

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stefoodie
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Posted: June 26 2007 at 2:58pm \| IP Logged

The very first sock pattern I used was "Joan's socks". It was easy enough for a beginner -- my mom is still wearing the pair I knitted for her 9 years ago. I should knit her a new pair this year. They are chunky though.

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Mary G
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Posted: June 26 2007 at 3:52pm \| IP Logged

Jenny,

That's a great book -- lots of fun socks and great yarns used. However, if you've never made socks before you might want to try Simple Socks by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts ... she does a GREAT job explaining different techniques and you'll find great easy patterns in there.

Also, chunky socks (that is, those knit on any needle larger than a size 6 needle) can be great for newbies as the knitting goes quickly and has fewer stitches....if made in wool, you can felt them and make slippers.

Another idea is to get a simple baby sock pattern and make those -- fewer stitches, smaller size, and then you can see if you like sock knitting.

I've knit crew socks from the top down, toe up, 2 socks on 2 circulars; I've done patterns and plain ... it can get quite addictive, especially with the self-striping yarns that make plain socks look fancy!

If you truly would like a simple pattern, I'll search thru my stuff and pm you, ok?

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Karen T
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Posted: June 26 2007 at 11:23pm \| IP Logged

Mary G wrote:

Also, chunky socks (that is, those knit on any needle larger than a size 6 needle) can be great for newbies as the knitting goes quickly and has fewer stitches....if made in wool, you can felt them and make slippers.

I think of anything that is not from sock yarn (or fingering weight) as chunky! Not necessarily chunky to look at, but chunky to wear! I have wide feet and high insteps, so I can only tolerate very thin socks. I use sock yarn and size 0 needles, occ. going up to 1's. Can't imagine anything as large as 6's for socks!

Here are some sites I used when learning to knit socks
Beginner's sock class great pictures

Socks 101

and an easy pattern to begin with (a practice sock)
Knitty.com class sock

Good luck and don't be afraid to try socks. I taught myself to knit just b/c I wanted to learn to do socks, so after a couple swatches, a terribly sized hat and some awful slippers, I jumped into socks. My favorite book now for socks is Sensational Knitted Socks and it also has a practice sock in the front of it. It has directions for 4 dpns, 5 dpns or 2 circulars for just about every pattern and variation in there, so you can try different methods. I haven't seen the book you mentioned up close but all of Ann Budd's books have been great.

Karen T

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