knitting socks

[michiganmom]

I want to try to knit socks and have an aunt teach me but my question it what is the best cheapest yarn to use?

[Anon001]

Red Heart is usually the cheapest, but not necessarily the best for socks. Many people refuse to use Red Heart.

There are as many brands of yarn as you could imagine with everything from acrylic to wool, cotton, and many others and also in combinations.

For socks, you generally want a lighter weight yarn. You also need a set of double pointed needles. They come 5 to a set. I find them much easier to use on circles this small rather than the circular needles. For socks, I always use size 0 or size 1. I have used size 2 a time or two but prefer the smaller sizes for a tighter knit sock.

I would also get a book that details the general construction of a sock such as "Folk Socks" by Nancy Bush, which I have and like.

I will also add that if you are new to knitting, socks aren't the best project to learn with. :) While most stitches in socks are basic, the construction is above the level of beginner.

Once you wear hand knitted socks in winter, you'll want them every winter. lol

Does this help?
Paul

[michiganmom]

Thanks Paul, yes this does help. I do need to learn the basics first. I will have to get that book.
Thanks again
michiganmom

[Anon001]

I forgot about another book. If someone is just learning to knit, the "Knitter's Handbook" is about as good reference book as you will find. It's over 300 pages and is very comprehensive. It is published by Reader's Digest, but I think most stores that deal with fiber arts will have it or can order it.

That book has everything you can imagine.

Paul

[organicfarmer]

I love the Folk Socks book. Socks were one of my first projects and as long as you follow instructions, you should be alright. I also purchased a sock video by Nancy Wiseman that is excellent and walks you through step by step. With the video, you can make this your first or second project. I would recommend purchasing wooden double pointed needles as the stitches don't slip off as easily. I know they are more expensive, but well worth it in the long run.

For sock yarn, I would search for a dk or worsted weight yarn with either 75% wool/25% nylon or mohairto make a pair of boot socks. The nylon or mohair will help the yarn wear much longer than if you use 100% wool.

Do not use Red Heart or any other acrylic type yarn for socks as your feet will not be warm this winter, and they will probably be prone to foot odour in that type of yarn. I am not being a yarn snob, but speaking from experience.

[Anon001]

I agree with the fact that Red Heart will cause foot odor, even on someone that never has that problem.

The only thing I would add is that I would not buy a more expensive yarn for a project to learn on. I would buy the cheap Red Heart to learn or to make that first pair and then go to the better yarns. If you have never knitted,the first pair will definitely not come out "perfect". lol I've knitted most of my life but the first time I knitted socks, it took some work and thought. For one thing, I wasn't used to having to manipulate 4 needles at once and "turning a heel" was something I had never heard of. But, once you do it, then it becomes simple.

My favorite brand of needles are Inox. But, like organicfarmer said, you may want wood needles until you get accustomed to knitting.

I will say that the only wood needles I have are my cable stitch needles (holders). I didn't like any that I had bought, so I made my own at the size and length I like best and sometimes it does make it easier to keep the cable stitches from sliding off, especially with something like a 3/1/3RC, etc.

Let us know how your project goes. When I need anything I usually order online from a place in Lawrence, Kansas that has been there for well over 35 years.. downtown. It's called The Yarn Barn.

Good Luck,

I look forward to hearing about it and seeing pictures.
Paul

[michiganmom]

Thanks for the help, i really would like to master this project. That might be some thing i could sell at the market in the future and what a wonderful christmas gift for the hunters or any one for that matter.

[Anon001]

I think that is a good idea, and I had considered doing that on one of my websites. But.... With the cost of a good sock yarn, and the time it takes, I didn't think anyone would pay $30 or $40 for a pair of socks.:) If they sold for $20 to $30, I would make nothing off of them... Maybe I need to find cheaper yarn? LOL

[sonshine]

Hand knitted socks are a labor of love. Too much labor and not cheap yarn to be practical. But the are lovely though.

Judy

[Anon001]

I was online (and on the phone) checking out yarn prices again. I can make a pair for about $12.00 in a fingerweight yarn which is a good type. This is part cotton, wool, and nylon. However, I can also use a fingerweight yarn at almost $25 per pair. No thanks. lol I think I will order some of their yarn tomorrow. I had thought that they would be much more expensive.

To buy a half-decent man's winter sock, that will be somewhat warm, will cost about the same as the yarn for a hand knitted pair. Not only that, but I enjoy making them.

Paul

[michiganmom]

Ya know, i got alot of different yarn given to me and i think their is some sock yarn in my yarn tub, i will have to check it out. I did not realize how much that type of yarn cost. But still it would be a great gift for loved ones. I know they usually can not wait to see what project i am up to next so i think i will sneak on this one till i get a good pair made. I figure the more useful things i can master the better off we will be and i love doing this stuff too.

[Anon001]

michiganmom,

For a yarn that has about 7 or 8 stitches to an inch with a size 0 or size 1 needle, a woman's pair will take about 350 yards and a man's pair will take between 400 and 450 yards.

If you want to go all acrylic, Red Heart does make a sock or fingerweight yarn. But, like it was said previously, the acrylic will not keep feet very warm and it will make your feet sweat even on someone that normally doesn't have that problem.

By the way, I'm looking for pics when you get your first pair made. lol

Paul

[michiganmom]

Ya and i am sure you will be laughing when you get that pic too LOL. It will be awhile because i am canning apple stuff right now then carrots then i have to finish the window quilts.I am not sure when but i will master this.
michiganmom

[pcrowder]

I found that when I taught myself to knit socks, it was easiest to start with a pattern calling for bigger needles and less stitches, so I could actually manipulate them better, see the stitches easier, and progress on them faster.

This is the pattern I used: http://www.woolworks.org/patterns/joanssocks.txt

And I did use woolease, although I've also used some Bernat denim and other "soft" yarns, like Softee Chunky Baby, plus I've used alot of Knitpicks yarns in wool-alpaca mixes and straight wool.

Sock knitting is an addiction for me!

Hope this helps!

[michiganmom]

Cool pcrowder, thank you for the site, i will check it out.
michiganmom

[Anon001]

Next time I do laundry, Maybe I can remember and post a couple pics of socks.

[LoiDreams]

"knitting circles around socks" by Antje Gillingham.
I learned to knit socks one at a time a couple of years ago. The problem was my socks were never quite the same size. I found the above book and it changed my sock knitting life. Suddenly all my socks were the same size and I always finish the second sock because I knit it at the same time.:D I too am a Sockaholic, I always have a pair in the works. They make such great take along projects.

On another note. I have found that at least in my area Joann Fabrics carries several brands of sock yarn at a reasonable price. Alot of them are a wool blend, my favorite.

[LoiDreams]

Here are a couple of great links that I look at frequently.

www.knittingpatterncentral.com (http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com)

www.garnstudio.com (http://www.garnstudio.com)

Both have hundreds of FREE knitting patterns to print or download.

The Garn Studio site has some pretty sophisticated designs that are quite lovely. The knitting pattern central site is a link site that takes you to many different patterns from many different sites.

[Anon001]

I always make both socks at the same time. I have two sets of double pointed needles for each size 0, 1, and 2. I knit both the first sock to the bottom of the rib, and then the second sock to the same point. Then I knit the first sock to the top of the heel flap and then the second to the top of the heel flap, turn each heel, knit each gusset, then knit from gussett to toe shapping, and then each toe shaping. That helps keep my socks both the same size. It helps a lot.

Thanks for those two links. I'm headed there now to look at them.

Paul

[mtwildflower]

Last year about this time, I determined that I was going to learn to knit socks. Haven't accomplished that goal, so it will be the one I work on for winter 2010. My best knitting time is after Christmas to about March/April or whenever it's time to get the garden ready to go. After that, it's not happening until the next winter.

I did buy a book last year called "Knitting Socks" by Ann Budd. I really really like it as it goes into detail about guage and different types of casting on and how to size socks to fit calves and all that.

As far as yarn, I have a really hard time finding any suitable sock yarn where I am from, so I expect I will be doing a lot of on-line shopping for it once I'm hooked. LOL. I am intrigued by the new varigated sock yarns that can be purchased that self-pattern. I am excited to try them!

And as far as books, I usually get my books used at half.com. In fact, most of the time, I end up with a brand new book for a good used price. Just a thought.

[Anon001]

I did buy a book last year called "Knitting Socks" by Ann Budd. I really really like it as it goes into detail about guage and different types of casting on and how to size socks to fit calves and all that.

Just a quick note on that... Most sock patterns don't compensate for a calf, especially ladies socks since they are normally smaller and shorter than men's socks. I have only come across a few patterns that are "fitted" at the calf. My socks tend to fit either way, but they do look nicer when fitted.

As far as yarn, I have a really hard time finding any suitable sock yarn where I am from, so I expect I will be doing a lot of on-line shopping for it once I'm hooked. LOL. I am intrigued by the new varigated sock yarns that can be purchased that self-pattern. I am excited to try them!

I use The Yarn Barn in Lawrence, Kansas (http://www.yarnbarn-ks.com/). It's about 60 miles from me and when I'm their, I always stop in. They have one sock yarn that you would like is called Sockotta. (http://www.yarnbarn-ks.com/Sockotta---cotton-_-wool-_-synthetic/products/394/) It is a "Fingering" weight yarn that is great for socks and is their most "economical" yarn. It is a cotton, wool, synthetic blend. When I need something and can't get there, I order online. They have been in business for at least 35 years.

Paul

[mtwildflower]

Thanks for the sources, Paul. For myself, socks that go over the calf bother me, so I wear socks that come just up over the ankle....no need to worry about the calf issue for me, but my girls like knee socks, so that was why getting them to fit over calves and having them stay up is of interest here.

Just have to get through Christmas.....;-)

[Anon001]

Since I always wear some type of boot, I like my socks up over the calf, but I don't shape the calf... usually.