Socks!

[MrsMellowDrummer]

Help! I have to choose something today to ask for as a Christmas gift, in our family secret santa thing. I've done some simple knitting and crocheting projects before, which have (mainly) turned out ok - things like blanket squares and scarves, but am thinking perhaps this is the year to throw caution to the wind and try something adventurous... like socks????

So, I'm wondering about asking for this book, and then needles/wool/ whatever else I might need to get going.

I'm a bit confused though. Am I better going for the 5 double ended needle technique, or using circular needles? How many do I need, and what kind of wool do you think would be ok for me? I want some nice bright colours. Is there anything else I should ask for too? I can spend up to the value of £75, so have lots of scope!

Looking for some good hints/tips to get me started? Are there any better books that I should look at instead? Need something basic really to get me going... And do you know any good internet shops for lovely wool etc?

I think magic loop (with one long circular) is possibly easier to get your head round, but 5 dpns isn't that hard either, once you get to grips with it. You'll also find more books/tutorials online geared up for dpns.

Modernknitting.co.uk has lots of sock yarns, including self striping etc.

Thanks Hopefully! Yes, I'm quite tempted by the 5 dpns thing - all the patterns I've glanced at so far seem to suggest using them.

I've just had a quick look at modern knitting - wow! I'm at home today with a stinking cold, and poorly child as well, so will probably spend the next few hours browsing!

You lucky, lucky person! Am green with envy.

Great book to start with. You will need several sets of DPNs or Circs, I am DPN girl. Get yourself some of the self striping yarn to start with... then take a look on Folksy or Etsy and buy something lush to make bed socks, hand spun and hand painted in a cashmere or alpaca mix would be lovely. Also look on Ravelry to see the many beautiful free sock patterns you can use. Am currently finishing the flutter-by socks from there in a pink, lavender and dusty rose in an alpaca mix for a snuggly pair of bed socks :)

Finally bookmark this It is the best demo of Kitchener stitch, which is the stitch you use to close up your toes... I play it each time I sew up my toes, slow and easy to follow along.

I second the Knitpro symphony dpns...they are lovely to work with. Opal or Regia yarns are great to start with and available in so many colourways it can be difficult to decide what to choose.
I use the free pattern that Get Knitted include in their 'sock kit' as my 'go to' for basic socks. Knitty and Ravelry are excellent sources of free patterns, too.
Enjoy!

Brilliant! Thank you everybody, you've helped me make up my mind. Lattelady, I've just looked at the youtube clip, and I will indeed keep it bookmarked. I've also been watching some other sock tutorials, and I think I'm definitely going to go for double ended needles. The knitpro symfonies look absolutely beautiful - I hadn't seen them before, so thank you! I just have one more question...

Should I go for 15cm ones or 20cms do you think? I have quite small hands, and think will probably be more comfortable with the smaller ones... But, will definitely be making socks for adults - will they be big enough?

MrsMag and GetOnYourDS, I'm going to take your advice too, and go for some Regia wool I think to get started. Then, once I've cracked it, I'll take a trip to our local wool shop to browse for something very lush.

I'm getting really excited about Christmas now!

I just had to post and say that I have finished my first pair of socks and have already started my second! What I really want to share is that I invested in a set of dpns which are only 10cm long and they are so easy to use! I had a normal set for the first pair and just couldn't hold them; I was all fingers and thumbs.

So, I'd recommend the short ones for anyone looking to get dpns

Does anyone have any wool recommendations? Opal versus Regia or other for wash and wear properties?