Know How To Knit Socks
By Katherine Foster
Know How To Knit Socks
By Katherine Foster
If you are new to knitting and have decided to start your first project of knitting socks, then you may feel a little overwhelmed with the choice of confusing patterns available. The good news is that knitting socks doesn't have to be a daunting experience and once you've completed your first sock, you will wonder what all the fuss is about.
As you grow in confidence, you can make these as fun gifts for family and friends, you can add your own patterns and range of colours to make something different and unique.
The first step to any good pair of socks is to choose your sock yarn wisely. Think of the person you are knitting for and their favourite colours and then choose your sock yarn accordingly.
Once you have your sock yarn, you are going to want to purchase five double point needles that meet your sock yarn thickness. Remember when it comes to socks you don't want the stitches to be too loose, your socks should be tighter in stitch, keeping the feet warm on a colder day.
To start your new set of socks you will want to take two of the needles and wrap your sock yarn around them in a figure of eight. This is just an easier way of casting on, which can reduce time and frustration. The top row will then become your stitches. Don't worry that they appear loose now, you will be able to tighten these at a later stage.
Take your third needle and knit along the top row of casting on loops to make your very first row on your new socks. Remember to choose the stitch of your choice or based on what you feel is the best match for the socks you are making. Take the first needle and knit another row of stitches. You can use the third needle to knit one, make one on the area.
Now take another needle and knit a row between the stitched areas, therefore making a triangle of needles. This may sound confusing at this point, but once you get the hang of it, it will become much easier to use and understand moving forward.
Now with a fourth needle you will want to do the same on the other side until you have create a square of needles. Therefore you have four active needles and one floating needle. Keep knitting with your sock yarn on all four sides, moving one needle to the next until you can slip your foot into the sock. Stop knitting once you reach about four centimetres from your heel. This means you will have to keep trying on your new sock to check how far along you are.
From here you want to concentrate on your heel area only, using your heel side needle and your floating needle to knit up the heel area with your sock yarn until you reach just above your heel. At this point you can concentrate on the other needles until the sock is of an even height.
Continue on all four needles until you reach your desired height and then cast off. The benefit of using five double pointed needles is that you won't have any sewing to do once your socks are completed. You knit the entire piece as one, which can save you time and energy in the long run.
Remember to use the right sock yarn to ensure your socks aren't too thick, they should be warm and comfortable, easy to wear with shoes. Using yarn that is too thick may result in slippers more than socks.
Little Hounsdales Knits was established in 2010 with a passion for yarn and knitting. This specialist company focuses on yarns and patterns, catering to all their customers' requirements. They offer only the highest quality products from leading suppliers at affordable prices. Little Hounsdales Knits have also introduced their own yarn that customers can take advantage of. The company is based on a farm in East Yorkshire and also offer their extensive range on their easy to use and secure website with a choice of patterns, valuable information and a host of yarns in a variety of weights and colours. To find out more, visit http://www.littlehoundalesknits.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katherine_Foster
If you are new to knitting and have decided to start your first project of knitting socks, then you may feel a little overwhelmed with the choice of confusing patterns available. The good news is that knitting socks doesn't have to be a daunting experience and once you've completed your first sock, you will wonder what all the fuss is about.
As you grow in confidence, you can make these as fun gifts for family and friends, you can add your own patterns and range of colours to make something different and unique.
The first step to any good pair of socks is to choose your sock yarn wisely. Think of the person you are knitting for and their favourite colours and then choose your sock yarn accordingly.
Once you have your sock yarn, you are going to want to purchase five double point needles that meet your sock yarn thickness. Remember when it comes to socks you don't want the stitches to be too loose, your socks should be tighter in stitch, keeping the feet warm on a colder day.
To start your new set of socks you will want to take two of the needles and wrap your sock yarn around them in a figure of eight. This is just an easier way of casting on, which can reduce time and frustration. The top row will then become your stitches. Don't worry that they appear loose now, you will be able to tighten these at a later stage.
Take your third needle and knit along the top row of casting on loops to make your very first row on your new socks. Remember to choose the stitch of your choice or based on what you feel is the best match for the socks you are making. Take the first needle and knit another row of stitches. You can use the third needle to knit one, make one on the area.
Now take another needle and knit a row between the stitched areas, therefore making a triangle of needles. This may sound confusing at this point, but once you get the hang of it, it will become much easier to use and understand moving forward.
Now with a fourth needle you will want to do the same on the other side until you have create a square of needles. Therefore you have four active needles and one floating needle. Keep knitting with your sock yarn on all four sides, moving one needle to the next until you can slip your foot into the sock. Stop knitting once you reach about four centimetres from your heel. This means you will have to keep trying on your new sock to check how far along you are.
From here you want to concentrate on your heel area only, using your heel side needle and your floating needle to knit up the heel area with your sock yarn until you reach just above your heel. At this point you can concentrate on the other needles until the sock is of an even height.
Continue on all four needles until you reach your desired height and then cast off. The benefit of using five double pointed needles is that you won't have any sewing to do once your socks are completed. You knit the entire piece as one, which can save you time and energy in the long run.
Remember to use the right sock yarn to ensure your socks aren't too thick, they should be warm and comfortable, easy to wear with shoes. Using yarn that is too thick may result in slippers more than socks.
Little Hounsdales Knits was established in 2010 with a passion for yarn and knitting. This specialist company focuses on yarns and patterns, catering to all their customers' requirements. They offer only the highest quality products from leading suppliers at affordable prices. Little Hounsdales Knits have also introduced their own yarn that customers can take advantage of. The company is based on a farm in East Yorkshire and also offer their extensive range on their easy to use and secure website with a choice of patterns, valuable information and a host of yarns in a variety of weights and colours. To find out more, visit http://www.littlehoundalesknits.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katherine_Foster
