Have just bought a sock knitting kit - please tell me Im not mad!

[Fubsyinapeartree]

I got the new Lets Knit mag, and really liked all the stripy sock yarns in it. So Ive bought a kit to give it a go.

Ive knitted on circular kneedles before, but never DPNs.

Ive got a scarf on the go in case I boil over!

Nooo, not socks! Only joking, DPNs are much, much easier than they look I think knittinghelp.com has a video on how to use them. I tried them for the first time in November and knitted 4 pairs of socks for Christmas!

I just read your thread title and thought, 'well, I'd love to help, but ...'

Ooh I used to love knitting socks - much more interesting than scarves!

Good link Daisymoo, thanks! (Impressed at 4 pairs of socks....)

You will become obsessed. I did a class to learn this time last year and loved it. They make very portable knitting and you can while away lots of time eyeing up luxury sock yarn.

You also attract a lot of impressed stares when knitting with FOUR needles at once (or perhaps they were just wondering wtf I was doing )

The 4 pairs did include 3 pairs of children's socks and as I have 4 children that didn't go down very well.....

lol daisymoo!

I got a sock knitting kit for Christmas from one of my MN Secret Santas - I am currently two thirds of the way through my first sock. My heel turn leaves something to be desired (!) but it's not that bad and, being space-dyed yarn, it won't show too much! I am really enjoying making them, and dh thinks they are rather impressive too! Took me a while to get the hang of DPNs, but I've found a way that works for me. And kikidee is right - they are so portable - the go anywhere kit! Have fun with them.

Chickened out last night, and knitted a shopping bag instead! Will definitely cast on tonight.

You knitting a whole bag in an evening? I'm impressed!

Well half of it - Im going to finish it tonight. Its a cotton string bag knitted on 20mm kneedles, so doesnt take long, just care to keep the stitches on the kneedles!

It's not hard at all - you are only knitting on two needles at any one time after all.

go on, have a go! Remember to cast on loosely and not to twist the first row

Erm - started off fine, cast on, then realised Id knitted a row of k1p1 rib when I should have done k2p2.

BUT - all the stitches end up on one needle! Do you have to keep moving them off on to the third one?

Knitting on dpns is easier if you knit continental-style (yarn in left hand) I find

Not sure Im dextrous enough for that!

Well progress is being made - Ive looked at some online videos and tread an article in a knitting mag.

I have knitted the cuff and a few rows of stocking stitch.

Theres a slightly odd bit where I wasnt wearing the right glasses and dropped a stitch, but Ive sorted that pout now.

Its getting easier as it gets longer.

Not looking forward to the heel though!