Calling Knitters! Does anyone knit socks?

[Blownaway22]

If so, can you recommend easyish patterns for a sock novice please? I really want to knit and the only thing I can think that I would like to make are cashmere bedsocks ... to replace my White Company christmas presents which had holes in them after 3 months!

Thanks!

Google winwick mum - she has lots of easy patterns to follow. (Book on amazon?!)

Socks are small easy to do projects or can be really tricky - it’s up to you how complicated a pattern you want.
Ravelry is a fab site to lose hours of your time and has both paid and free patterns.

Try knitting with 4ply sock yarn first. Cashmere is expensive and fiddly to use if you aren’t used to it. Cashmere socks will wear out in next to no time.

As for needles - you can use a cabled needle, 5dpns, addi turbos or knit flat and seam. Have fun !

Not what you asked for but at least consider crochet too as they have some ridiculously simple patterns for socks 👌

I do! And I would reiterate @Bargebill19. Winwick mum has some really simple patterns. Start with a 4 ply or even a DK before moving to the expensive yarn.

I have some really short circular needles specifically for socks but they can make my hands hurt. If you know how to do a magic loop on long circulars, that's my favourite way to knit them.

Toe up, magic cast on, knit on addi sock needles.

Winwick mum. Blog and Facebook. YouTube is also good to see stitches being done. Always have a pair of socks on the go.

I knitted my first ever sock using Winwick mums pattern. If you are on Facebook the group is really helpful when you have questions, no matter how small you think the query is.

I like coop knits Dave pattern.

Start with a reasonably chunky sock yarn.

I'm not clear if you already knit and want to start socks or if you haven't knitted much (or anything) before.

Magic Loop is my favourite way to do socks - I personally prefer the chiagoo red lace tip sock needles as I think the cables on addi are too stiff.

If you are new to knitting I would suggest a step-wise progression - you don't need to do much before you move onto socks but I think flying straight into them might be a bit much.

1. sort out your knit stitches while knitting a flat piece
2. learn how to knit in the round - maybe a hat in chunky yarn as it will knit up quick
3. move onto socks.

If you are happy to spend a small amount of money then the Yarn Harlot (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee) has set up a Patreon for $6 a month. She is doing a sock class at the moment, talking you through in massive detail. I've knit loads of socks and I've still learnt plenty from her videos. She's a total expert, so in my opinion it's well worth the money.

Thanks all ... have looked at Winwick Mum and will have a look at other suggestions. Am itching to start but good idea to have a non-Cashmere practice run or two first!!

opiniatedfreak, I’m an okay knitter though it’s been a few years. Have done several jumpers, gloves and the like so will enjoy the challenge of something new!

@blownaway22 in that case jump in!

Buy some suitable needles if you don't already have them and yarn and get started.

I've not seen any of Stephanie McPhee's online teaching stuff but be reputation I would imagine it is good so that might be a good shout.

When buying yarn just be aware that for longevity in socks you want something with a bit of nylon in it. I love Old Maiden Aunt hand dye and she has a very lux base which is Merino/ Cashmere/ Nylon and would make some nice cosy slouching around socks.

I knitted my first ever pair of socks during lockdown. I used the Winwick Mum Candy Cane pattern from Ravelry using Drops Delight (I had a fair bit left from 2x50g balls but needed more than one ball) and the magic loop technique. I found YouTube videos to show me how to do magic loop. The second sock was better than the first but both are very wearable. I'm waiting on a Woolwarehouse delivery to do my next couple of pairs.

The yarn suggested by the pattern for the Candy Cane socks is self striping and they are knitted in stocking stitch apart from a ribbed heel so I found them perfect as a beginner. Drops Delight isn't striping - more variegated but it gave a bit of interest to the socks.

Be aware they are very addictive! Use 4 ply with some nylon. There are specific sock yarns in fabulous colours. I like to use 2 circular needles but I'm just trying 2 at a time toe up on 1 circular needle. It's a big rabbit hole to fall down and you may never get out!

Thank you all! I’ve spent the evening reading ... and drooling over yarns! Am going to start with Winwick Mum’s Sockalong - instructions look good and loads of photos. Not sure whether to use the short circular needle or the magic loop method. Maybe I need to watch it on You Tube to see exactly how it works. Feel an on-line order being done in the next day or two. Am looking forward to it forcing me to out my iPad down!!