A few of you have been talking of knitting socks lately. Although I must admit it’s not something I have attempted yet, I have always found the heel gusset ideas very cool and I am fascinated by the multitude of ways in which one can knit socks.

Knitting Daily has recently asked its readers for their best sock knitting tips. Here is a link to their free sock knitting pattern e-book. I thought re blogging these tips would give all of you sock knitters some ideas to pursue. So here is what Knitting Daily has to say about their best tips for sock knitting:

Mary of mdflowers says: When I am knitting socks, I usually do two at a time on two circular needles. Once I get going, I pin a small sandwich baggie around each sock so that the completed knitting doesn’t get “roughed up” as I continue working. I move the baggies up each time I complete about and inch or two of work. When the socks get too long to fit inside the baggies easily, I roll the socks up and pin the edges so they won’t unroll, and they continue to fit just fine. When I’m done, the knitted work is all fresh and pill-less, ready to be blocked.

awalker55 wrote: When knitting two at a time socks, divide your skein of sock yarn into two equal parts by using a kitchen scale. Weigh the unused skein of yarn using grams (i.e. 100 grams). Then wind your second ball of yarn from the skein until the skein weighs half the original weight (i.e. 50 grams). There you have it: two balls of yarn exactly the same amount!

Advice for the Cuff-Down Sock

begarcia suggests: When knitting socks I cast on the appropriate number of stitches, then I purl one row, then join in the round and proceed with the pattern or ribbing. It makes a really nice edge and helps hold up the sock on the calf.

tribblesnz wrote: My method for casting on and distributing the stitches for cuff-down socks on DPNs: I long-tail cast on half the number of stitches on two DPNs held together, then the other half on the other two DPNS. Slip half the stitches out of the first needle and leave the second half on the second, slip half out of the third, voilà: all stitches evenly on 4 needles and cast on evenly and loosely. Double-check they’re not twisted, and knit the first three stitches with both the running yarn and the long tail. Then drop the long tail. No ugly “step” or stretched stitch at the beginning.

Linda Nelson credits Ann Budd with this tip: When working Kitchener stitch on toes, treat the first two stitches and last two stitches as one stitch, to avoid those funny ears. 🙂

mmk7237 wrote: For sock knitters using dpns, do the following. After completing the cuff, heel, turn, and pick-up stitches, you will have your stitches on three needles. Place small safety pins or split ring markers on your work just below each needle. Use one pin on needle #1, two pins on needle #2, and three pins on needle #3. You will always know exactly where you are.

In addition to these handy tips some clever video tutorials on you-tube will also help you get started. Here is a great silent video.
You can also watch the very clear instructions by the ever popular Very Pink Knits. But you will have to purchase a pattern from her website in order to follow the tutorial.

So good luck to all you sock knitting virgins. And don’t forget to post your lovely handiwork on our Facebook page or tweet us with a photo of your ongoing work or finished product.
Good luck and have fun.