The Beginnner's Guide to Knitting Socks

My first successful pair of socks.

I am a knit nerd, and especially a sock knit nerd.

I love spending time alone in a yarn shop feeling the fibres and browsing the patterns. I am willing to spend a ridiculous amount of money on beautiful needles.

After several failed starts and knitting yoga socks (no heels, no toes), I decided that this was the year I was going to learn how to knit socks.

For some reason turning the heel and picking up stitches for the gusset intimidated me.

When I found the book How To Knit Socks: Three Methods Made Easy, by Edie Eckman, I finally found my key to successfully tackling my own socks. It gives very clearly explained step-by-step procedures for socks, along with photos to show what each stage should look like.

Youtube has been a wonderful self-teaching tool for crafters, and I have used video tutorials to see the process for a few stages of knitting socks.

Yoga socks

I discovered that turning the heel (knitting short rows) was not difficult for me, but picking up the gusset stitches after knitting the heel just didn't feel or look right the way I was doing it. This youtube video is excellent and I love the nice braided edge it gives my socks.

Ankle socks

Then once I had knit a few pairs I purchased the basic sock pattern from Churchmouse Yarns, which expanded my repertoire and gave me another way to knit a sturdy heel that I now use for all my socks.

I love ribbing all the way down
for a snug fit.

I started learning socks using four or five double pointed needles (the yoga socks were made with two small circular needles), but several knitters I follow on Instagram raved about the magic loop method using one 32" circular needle so I knew I would have to give it a go. The Edie Eckman book teaches this method so I was set, and I can now say that I, too, prefer magic loop for socks.

I have tried several different patterns for my socks and I love seeing the different textures as they develop.




There are several things I love about knitting socks:

Grain stitch socks. 

• they are easy to transport and I often have my project bag in my purse, ready to work on if I have a few spare moments

• it is easy to adapt patterns and customize them once you understand the basic anatomy of a sock

• they are relatively quick to knit; I can knit a pair in approximately 6 days with dedicated knitting time

• they make great presents that everyone is happy to receive

• homemade socks feel so cozy and warm and it is satisfying wearing something homemade

My next challenge is to learn a different heel method, the fish lips kiss heel.

Harris tweed rib stitch

But currently I am knitting socks like crazy for Christmas presents for all the men in my life.

Here are some tutorial videos that have helped me on my sock knitting journey:

• how to turn the heel (short rows)
• picking up gusset stitches
• grafting the toe stitches: kitchener
• knitting socks using magic loop (there are several tutorials in the series)

* I used my own money to purchase How To Knit Socks: Three Methods Made Easy and I have linked to it because I think it is an excellent beginner's sock knitting book.

Yoga Socks

I have become a little bit obsessed with knitting. As the woman at the local knitting shop said to me, "If I'm sitting, I'm knitting."

After posting about my intention to improve my knitting skills this year a friend, and very talented knitter, offered to mentor me. We had our first meeting last week and the project I picked was yoga socks for my daughter. I wanted to tackle knitting in the round using double-sided needles. I have completed a dozen infinity scarves, some using circular needles, but I really want to tackle socks. But I get so frustrated with double-sided needles, which is why I have a half-completed sock from ten years ago sitting in a yarn tub.

My friend showed me how to knit socks using two circular needles rather than double-sided needles and I am completely thrilled! Instead of spreading the stitches evenly over three needles, the stitches are divided between the two sets of circular needles. Knit one side with one circular needle, then the other half of the stitches with the other circular needle. Pure genius.

I started with these yoga socks (free pattern at my local shop), which are missing the heel and toes. I like how I have quick satisfaction making these before I build up to trying to turn the heel, of which I am terrified! My Banana Girl, who is in kindergarten, loves doing yoga every week at school, and she is happy to have these to wear. She's my little free spirit!

I hope to make full socks very soon, using this wonderful circular needle method.

Thanks Margaret!