Does anyone here knit socks? I'd love to learn how to do this. I know how to knit and purl, but this knitting in the round thing confuses me.
Does anyone know of a good beginner pattern? Also what needles do you use? I picked some circular needles at W/M, and they'll be going back. Not happy with them as they're to stiff. Course it could be just me too.. Maybe I'm just meant to knit/purl on the straight :(

I use an old patter that my mother gave me. The pattern uses size6 4 double point needles. The kind you make mittens or gloves with.

I saw a few videos with the 4 double pointed needles. They look confusing. Are they? Since I know you only use 2 when knitting/purling, do the other 2 get in the way alot?

Carol, I want to knit some socks this winter, too! I've never done them, so I can't yet recommend a good pattern, but I am also looking. Maybe just for some "house socks"--not too fine a yarn that I'll never finish! I found knitting with dpn's (double point needles) for hats and toys to be just a little bit tricky at first, but it starts to feel more natural as you work. There are lots of great tutorials online that you may want to check out! If I come across a promising pattern, I will share it!

I'm a member of ravelry.com where there are TONS of free patterns to search, with reviews and photos and you can also narrow the search down to level of difficulty, weight of yarn, etc...It's a great site for knitters/crocheters!

They do feel like they are a little in the way. But just remember, you are only ever knitting with two needles at a time, like any other project. You can learn to ignore them!

Ignore the extra needles, I mean!

Thank you!! I need all the help I can get with this. This knitting in a circle just isn't registering in my head for some reason.

I too am a member of raverly.com. My eldest DD turned me on to the site. They've got some cool things there. Some are just way over my head.

When I return this circular needle thing, I'm going to exchange it for the DPN and maybe I can do it then. Thank you!.

Hi, I too have been trying to teach myself to knit socks. I had the book from the library, I think it was called "2 at a time", it was helpful, but I just could not get it. I ordered a round needle from somewhere on line it cost 14 dollars and I still couldn't figure it out. So I am so happy to hear about the ravelry website. Maybe there is still hope for me. Let me know how you do. I will bookmark this site. Thanks, Jackie

I use 2 circular needles and knit both socks at the same time. There's a great book out called "Knitting Circles Around Socks" by Antje Gillingham that shows you step by step how to cast on and set up to knit both socks. Her second book "Knitting More Circles Around Socks" shows both cuff down and toe up methods. Once I made a couple of pairs of socks, I learned the toe up method and love it as you keep knitting until you run out of yarn. No left over balls!

When knitting socks you need 4 double pointed needles. I use size 1, yes they are very small but make the nicest socks. I have also used a little heeavier yarn and size 5 needles which my kids wear under their boots/ There are many patterns out there but the ones i have are from a book I purchased 50 years ago. Cost 29 cents LOL

There are some patterns for 2 needle socks at www.bevscountrycottage.com. She has hundreds of patterns for kids, home, adults, etc.

Support your local fiber store. They will have classes and groups who just love to sit & knit aka "stitch n.."

You can also look across youtube. I have found several left-hander demos for knitting.

I made a pair using this pattern. It uses a thicker yarn so the socks are good for wearing around the house, not so good for wearing in shoes. After making these I had a better understanding of knitting socks and using double pointed needles. I started a pair using thin sock yarn but I'm just too clumsy and never finished them.

http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts...zing_feets.php

And here's a video about using double pointed needles.

http://www.stitchdiva.com/custom.aspx?id=104

i learned the magic loop method of making sox last year [just before i turned 70] using silver's tutorial:
http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/2circsocks_start.htm for toe up sox [good pictures, easy to follow] and http://www.knitaddicted.com/files/MagicLoop.pdf for
knitting top down. [google magic loop for sox for more tutorials
knitpix.com has very good circular needles for $5-6 with really good pliable cables. either wood or nickel-plated. they also have lots of free, pretty sock patterns.
i'v made sox for everybody; now i'm making sox for myself using bamboo, silk, bison, qiviut, cotton, soy, alpaca, cashmere, chitin, corn, possum, mohair, yak, and all kinds of wool in all colors, but mostly green!

I have a hard time keeping my tension the same. Have started using bamboo needles instead of metal and the yarn doesn't slide around so much.

The Hobby Lobby that I go to sells some of them. I've also purchased some online to get the size I want.

A couple of years back i bought a book,yarn and needles.I made one sock to see if i good do it.The heel part is tricky

I'm so glad to know of this tutorial! I have heard of Magic Loop but haven't tried it. I am going to check it out!

I will say, that in general for double pointed needles I like the wood/bamboo ones for cotton or more slick yarns and I like metal or plastic coated for wool. There's enough "grab" in the wool to keep the loops on the needles. Wool on bamboo frustrates me just a little bit because it slows me down. Of course, I think I knit a little too tightly. It's hard for me to relax and loosen up!

I have always wanted to learn too, but can never get the hang of the 4 needles. Cant even figure out how to cast on with all of them. Did crochet a pair that were cute!

Thank you all so much for your help and tutorials!! I found some videos at Knitpick.com (I think it's a sister company of Connecting Threads), just looks so much like CT. Anyways, they have tons of videos and I watched the one on making socks with the magic loop. Here's where they start http://www.knitpicks.com/tutorials/K...rt_1__D98.html
The 4 needles confuse me even with the videos I've watched. I still might try it too, but really anxious to do it with the magic loop.

If all else fails, I'll make hats! :lol: