So I mentioned a while back that I wanted to learn to knit socks. Now that we’re moved into the new place, I went ahead and ordered myself a kit and needles from Knit Picks and plan to teach myself to knit socks asap. The kit I ordered contains 7 patterns for ankle socks and enough yarn to make them all. There are many other very simple sock patterns available for free and I may end up needing to start there instead but I thought ankle socks would be relatively quick and nice for summer. I ordered both 40″ circular needles and dpns so that I can try both methods. I love the idea of doing 2 socks at a time on one set of circulars because then the pair are more likely to match.
The kit and needles arrived yesterday and I promptly got started. I was pretty confused at first because I’ve never read a knitting pattern or chart. I also don’t know how to do the recommended cast on and instead of taking 2 minutes to look it up, I instead went ahead and did some weird crochet chain cast on. I used a size C hook to chain 10, pulled up a loop in each stitch across as if to start Tunisian crochet, then pulled the hook all the way through and slipped the stitches off the non-hook end of the hook and onto a dpn. Then I used the hook to pull up loops across the other side of the chain and moved the loops onto a second dpn. It looks a little messy but we’ll see how it turns out. Next time I’ll try to cast on properly.
Once I had both socks cast on, on 2 separate pairs of dpns, I knitted them both onto the same set of 40″ circular needles and am now working 2 at a time! This was a bit fiddly at first but the more stitches I have made, the easier it gets. I have no idea what right leaning and left leaning increases are so I increased the same way on both sides. I didn’t really seem “right” but it looks ok. I almost frogged and restarted a few times but managed to figure out what was going on and moved forward. I finished the toes and 9 rows of the foot last night. It looks pretty good but I’m afraid they might end up being too big. I just can’t tell with knitting…
Hi!
I’m doing these socks now…I’m having issues as well casting on but just using dpns instead of the ML method…I really don’t want to frog them…any advice? Should I just bite the bullet and buy two sets of size 1 circs?
Help?!? Thanks…saw your blog from Ravelry, I’m Giazz on there feel free to friend me.
as far as casting on, I’m a total knitting noob so I won’t be any help. I cast these on with a crochet hook (haha)… I’m doing them on one set of circs but it seems like it would be pretty simple to do them on dpns. I think no matter what you use, it’s going to be awkward at the beginning :\
Good luck with your socks! I’ve knit tons of socks but have yet to try two at a time.