You may have seen me referring to sock-witchery in some of my posts and wondered why I call it that.
The simple reason is that even though I've already been knitting socks for about three years I still find the whole process a bit like magic. Honestly the wonderment of seeing a heel emerge out of a knitted tube still tickles me each time the heel-stage of the process is completed!
Also, the juggling of four or five double pointed needles and a circular needle looks like you might be weaving a spell to those observing...... (even though to the beginner sock-knitter it initially feels like a feat in itself getting to grips with it all).
If you're about the embark on the adventure of learning to knit socks I can tell you the finger-gymnastics and head scratching is well worth it.
Things I learned from learning to knit socks.
1. You can do this....you really can.
2. It becomes an obsession.
3. You have more socks than your feet will ever need.
4. Take your time and read the pattern carefully and make notes. The notes you make as you progress are so helpful.
5. There are a few different methods of constructing a sock. Pick one method and become comfortable with it's process and then try other methods to discover which one is your preferred method. My favourite is the 'heel flap and gusset' method.
6. Start with DPN's (double pointed needles). I found that using DPN's allowed me to observe and understand the construction of the sock more clearly; which was important for me in the early days. Nowadays I cast on my socks and knit the first round using DPN's then move onto a circular needle for the leg tube. I go back onto DPN's for the heel construction and then back onto the circular needle for the foot tube and toe. You will find what works best for you.
8. Purchase a sock ruler to help with getting foot lengths correct if knitting for others. If you're just knitting for yourself you don't really need one but I still find it useful. Mine is a wooden one which is great because it is easy to make a mark on it for each person's foot length.
9. Cast on your sock using needles that are a size up from the needle size you will use to knit the rest of the sock. This helps with the stretchiness of the cuff, especially if you tend to cast on quite tightly.
10. Prepare to collect lots of luscious yarn, and even better is that there are sock yarns available for every budget.
11. Have fun.
I'd love to hear about your sock knitting experiences and preferred method of knitting socks.
Karen x
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