So you are new to sock knitting and want to know where to start. Well, the first thing we need to look at is our tools for knitting socks.
The first thing you will need is a sock pattern and a new sock knitter is going to want a basic sock pattern. You can look in your local yarn store or of course go online. A great community to join where you can source patterns and some of them are free is Ravelry, it's also free to sign up to. You may also want to look at books as there are plenty of sock books out there.
The next thing you will need is sock yarn, it's usually 4 ply fingering and what I personally use is Superwash Merino with nylon. It's usually 75% Superwash Merino to 25% Nylon, you want the nylon in the yarn to give it some strength. You will find that over time you will find what you enjoy knitting with. And even though I use Superwash I still like to handwash my socks as I think handwashing looks after them better and keeps them in better shape.
Hope this is helpful. Need help? Contact me.
Happy Knitting
Sharyn
The first thing you will need is a sock pattern and a new sock knitter is going to want a basic sock pattern. You can look in your local yarn store or of course go online. A great community to join where you can source patterns and some of them are free is Ravelry, it's also free to sign up to. You may also want to look at books as there are plenty of sock books out there.
The next thing you will need is sock yarn, it's usually 4 ply fingering and what I personally use is Superwash Merino with nylon. It's usually 75% Superwash Merino to 25% Nylon, you want the nylon in the yarn to give it some strength. You will find that over time you will find what you enjoy knitting with. And even though I use Superwash I still like to handwash my socks as I think handwashing looks after them better and keeps them in better shape.
Also with yarn it will come in either 50 or 100 gm. balls and it also comes in hanks. The yellow yarn above is a hank. With these you need to wind it into a ball, this can be done with another person helping you or by using a knitting swift and ball winder. The photo below is from one of the balls that I wound using this method.
Next, of course, you are going to want knitting needles and when knitting socks you use double
pointed knitting needles (dpn). Double pointed needles can come in packets of 4 or 5 needles and I think when starting out it's probably best to start with 4. It's easier this way and I will explain once we start getting into the knitting of socks.Now down the track that may change as you can also knit socks on circular needles but that is for a later date.
Lastly, some accessories which you may or may not want, you will need a tape measure, a pair of scissors and a darning needle to sew in any ends and graft the toe end. Later you may want to get some nice stitch markers.
So these are the basic tools you will need to get started on knitting socks but later you may find that you will be collecting other things. So here's hoping you get your stuff together for my next post.
Hope this is helpful. Need help? Contact me.
Happy Knitting
Sharyn
