Lovely video as veteran sock knitter I wanted to share a few tips if you find your rib to tight on your leg work the first 4 rows flat then join to knit in the round. This also saves you having to worry about twisting. You can leave this little bit open to make your socks comfortable. Also when you’re doing a flap and gusset heel always knit into back of your picked up stitches on the first row. Have a great break 💕
I'm a graduate of Earthtones Girl No Fear Sock knitting series, and i love the fit of handknit socks. I prefer magic loop. However, i may give dpn's a try this year. Opal is my go to work horse sock yarn. Many thanks!
I 3D printed my sock blockers. Thingiverse has a really good pattern if you have a 3D printer. I never thought my husband's 3D printer would come in handy until now.
I commented on this too, I prefer using 2 circulars to magic loop if I have the needles, and I think it's faster than magic loop too. I've done DPNs, 9" circular, and magic loop, but the 2 circulars is so much easier for me.
With 2 circulars - I find it easier to avoid excessive laddering that happens with magic loop. I really want to love 9” circulars!! Every now and then I try to knit with them
My biggest tip for knitting socks is that the measurement from your wrist to your elbow is the same measurement as your feet (for most people). So you can use that for measuring the socks rather than wrangling them on your feet with the needles still in.
@@robertastewart2083 ooh, thats interesting! Of course, bodys are all different and not everyone is the same. But generally its the same length. Im about to start studying healthcare science so ill take that on board! ❤
When I started knitting socks I watched the crazy sock lady RU-vid video on knitting socks on magic loop! She also has one for 9” circulars and double pointed ! If your a visual learner like I am these are great to watch !
thank you for this video. I have recently returned to knitted after 30 years and am really keen to try making socks. this video was very informative and helpful
In the UK Winwick Mum has a great book, online resources and yarn from West Yorkshire Spinners. Great self striping yarn for easy socks. This video is great
I loved using two colors for my first set of socks because it helped me see the differences between the toes and the heels and the cuffs. but honestly socks were my first knitting project all together which might be a little crazy 🤣 but I love them.
Hi Y’all! Just passing along my experience and a good pattern recommendation. I loathed sock knitting when trying to knit cuff down sock. No shade, just not my thing. Then I stumbled across the very popular DRK Everyday sock by Andrea Mowry, which is a toe up pattern and fell in LOVE with sock knitting. I keep a pair on my needles at all times now. I am 12 pairs in and still in love the pattern and fit. (Also - the “bear paw” sock pattern by Andrea Mowry is the DK version of the DRK everyday socks - both are lovely, straightforward knits!) P.s. For the new sock knitters - toe up socks can be a great way to play yarn chicken or use up scraps! Since the foot is done, you can knit to the length you want or until you run out of yarn! Happy Knitting! 🧶
Norman of Nimble Needles just released a video with lots of tips for finishing socks and eliminating gaps. I’ve used several tips from that video. Also have become a huge fan of the rounded toe via Anna Knitter. And I cannot mention her sock knitting table enough. It gives a blueprint for all shoe sizes, men, women, kids and all several weights of yarn. Love it!
I love the Crazy Sock Lady 'How to knit a vanilla sock" videos. There is a written pattern as well, that you can follow along with, but the videos are great for seeing how to do the heel etc the first time.
You mentioned that you are going to be doing an episode highlighting sock books. I just got Summer Lee’s Sock Project; it’s one that gives different cuff, heel, and toe options, teaches how to customize your socks, and gives lots of design tips and patterns. I really like that book.
Just had an awful instructor in a live group class so I'm dying for detailed pattern instructions from.someone kind and motivated to help. This us best video x
I would also like to suggest Kay of @CrazySockLady and her vanilla socks (on whichever type) is very good!! And she has tutorials here on RU-vid. She is pretty awesome too!!!
Highly recommend Earthtones Girl’s tutorial videos on socks. Very clear. And her video on Kitchener stitch takes all the mystery and fear out of that. I also use 2 16” circulars to knit a single sock at a time. That is how I learned. I’ve tried all the other techniques but none seemed to click for me. Also Kate Atherley’s “Custom Socks…knit to fit your feet” for the basics on sizing to fit your feet. Also like Payton’s Kroy Sock yarns. Indie dyed yarns are so expensive.
My first pair of socks came out extra large and they look OK. The toes were finished very differently. Lol. Now that I've learned how, now I can start my next pair with some experience. I did these socks by watching you tube videos.
I would love to see a video where you duplicate stitch the threadbare areas of your first pair of socks. IMHO darning sock holes makes a very uncomfortable patch, but doing duplicate stitch before the worn places become actual holes is so much nicer.
I love that you use the word "recipe" half the time in place of "pattern". My brain constantly struggles to remember the word pattern and settles on recipe more often. Thank you for helping to normalize "recipe". :) If you haven't already, I would love to see a video all about sock heels. Perhaps the pros and cons, easier vs harder, etc... It seems like there are hundreds of ways to make a heel and it gets overwhelming.
Oh, man. I know I need to just pull the trigger and start a pair of socks. My mom is the sock knitter in the family and she mostly makes worsted socks--great for sleeping or schlepping around the house, but not the best to wear with most shoes. I'm a grown-@$$ knitter and I need to just do it. This video has pushed me closer to the edge. I hear it's quite addictive, too! Thanks for sharing!
I am a 63 year old man who has knitted for almost 60 years. I want to knit my own socks. I prefer low cut socks. Where would I go for instructions on those? I did purchase the One Sock pattern just now. Thank you for your wonderful video. Very instructional. I have knitted lace for many a year. I am used to rounds and using smaller needles. The smallest I have used is 0000 with size 30 thread.
I knit toe up socks, and I just stop after the heel for my short summer socks. I then make a short rib for the top. If you do too down, I imagine the process would be similar, start with a short rib section, then go straight into the heel.
The other suggestion I would add for someone who is knitting their first few pairs is to figure out how to modify the heel to fit your foot! Roxanne Richards has a great sock heel series that I love. Heres my sock method: I do a toe up pattern that I developed for my foot. Then I use whatever stitch pattern I want, like Hermione's Everyday Socks, which I love! Instead of the heel for the pattern I used, I do a short row heel that I modify slightly to fit my foot. Back to the stitch pattern for the leg, ribbed cuff, and viola! I tend to use size 0 needles for my socks. I find that it gives me the best gauge for my preference. Though, Kroy sock yarn is a bit thicker, so I use a bigger needle for that yarn.
Hi. I am a passionate sock knitter who lives in Las Vegas and knits socks cuff to toe. I loved this video and ordered the sock knitting book from Amazon. My goal is to master the art of knitting socks that fit properly. So far my favorite sock yarn is Paton’s Wool.
21:37 Sock yarn can be in the 6ply and 8ply weights, too. Opal also carry yarn in these weights. Their patterned yarn is motivational for sock knitting 🙂
This was fun. I love knitting socks. FYI -I am allergic to wool but love wool socks. My solution was getting liner socks from REI or Cabellas. They are thin and wicking. We wear rain boots, snow boots, and waders a lot in Alaska so the wool socks are a must. Liners made it all possible to have my own knit wool socks.
When I was a child, my mother would decide which cotton sock size to buy for me by wrapping the sock around my fist. If the toe and heel met, it was the right size. I love Hermione’s Everyday Sock. It was the second pair I ever made. I made plenty of mistakes in the knit-purl pattern, but it didn’t matter, it was still cute and interesting.
Socks are not my favorite thing to knit. They’re most comfortable if knit fairly tight, and I don’t enjoy doing that. However, plain socks make perfect on-the-go projects, so I always have a pair in my ‘waiting room’ bag. I strongly prefer cuff down & magic loop. Cuff down because I don’t understand the point of toe up & the struggle to fit the foot from that direction. Magic loop because I can’t drop needles and lose them. But that is personal preference. My socks are invariably old Norwegian cast on, an inch or so of ribbing followed by usually about 75 rnds plain stockinette to the heel. I place a coil less safety pin every 20 rnds so that I can make the second sock match exactly. I will do this on the foot also, counting the round between the last instep decreases and the first round of toe shaping. I have a cheat sheet with the instructions for various heels and notes on preferences on toe shape that I keep in my sock project bag. Two at a time seems unnecessarily fiddly to me so counting the rows as I knit each sock is how I get them to match exactly. So the little folded up cheat sheet, a couple dozen coilless pins, and a tapestry needle for grafting the toe is about all I need besides the project itself.
I prefer toe up socks using the Turkish cast on. It's easy to try on as you knit especially if you use magic loop or 2 circular needles. Jana of Purl Together has a cool video for knitting toe up socks with a heel flap and gusset. Plus she takes time to explain basics on fit and where to start the heel. I can knit from either top down or toe up with any type needles. It's fun to try all the different methods.
I am a new subscriber and love your video. I appreciate how you provide links to items you trust. I ordered the sock blockers you recommended. Looking forward to your videos. ❤
Another outstanding vid! So much info in small amount of time. Luv the notes too. Great resource. Cant wait to create my own sock pattern. Thanks so much
I love knitting socks so much! I particularly love the second sock: it’s now an old friend, everything learned or experimented with on the first. Thanks for this one!
My sis-i-l’s mom suggested that I try 2 circs over magic loop when I mentioned I wanted to try socks at some point. She showed me on her set and months later when I was ready to give it a try, it was right when Denise at Earthtonesgirl was releasing her sock tutorial videos. And you’re totally right about the yarn needs to be your motivator…. The ones I worked on this weekend were a MadTosh I got at the shop at Missouri Star when setting up my kiddo at KU freshman year. The color way is whiskey barrel and it’s beautiful browns with some denims…. It flows through your fingers like butter!😊. Hope you have a great trip!!
At the risk of sounding insane, I have binged so many of your videos already and I just discovered you. This is the video I needed since socks is my ultimate knitting goal and why I am learning knitting. I have playlists saved on RU-vid and must say I have never put vlogs into a single playlist until coming across yours. I think I’ve already saved the mini skeins and bags into playlists. As a crocheter, I’m so happy you include those ideas as well. I’m learning how to navigate Ravelry better. Time to hop over to that how to use Ravelry video next. I’m ready to finish my current crochet WIP so I can practice more knitting. I think the cup cozy is the perfect second knitting project with that sock goal in mind. Enjoy spring break. Thank you for great content.
Thank you Taylor! You covered so many points that are revelent. I have knitted socks for more than 25 years and still continue to try new heels and the toes whenever I find a new technique for the challenge 😀I appreciate your upbeat videos .
I was thinking a 2nd watch thru myself as some of the lingo I'm not familiar with. I plan to use acrylic as all wool next to my skin will be torcher. Tayler you didn't mention linen or is that too difficult for a 1st timer? Ty
Just tuned in based on the recommendation of Denise at Earthtones Girl, and very glad that I did! I do so wish that you had talked about knitting socks on two circular needles!
I'm watching this vid because I bought sock yarn yesterday, mostly on a whim. I was super excited to see you reference the exact sock yarn in my bag though haha (Pattons Kroy!!)
The timing for this video can't be more perfect. This is my socks year, at the moment I'm taking part at Earth Tone Girl's Sooks and Books KAL , till I'm waiting for Socks Camp and Shark Week. I'm making Tunisian crochet socks but most of that apply to them too. But also I'm trying to get back to knitting socks after more than 3 years break. Thank you so much, for sharing your wisdom with us!
great video! I am a new knitter and I have my first pair of socks on my needles for my husband....magic loop 2 at a time...now at the heel and couldn't decide which to use. I tried a short row heel, but had to take it out 3 times. now I think I will do the square one that you showed. Thanks a bunch!
A 4th option for knitting socks that doesn’t get as much love from the online knitting community is to use two 9" circular needles at the same time for one sock - it is sort of like knitting on double points but could be less fiddly or painful for some people
Similar to this, I do toe up two at a time on 2 18"ish circular needles. I got a self published book many years ago that went through METICULOUS detail on how to knit socks. Still use that as a template.
Hi buddies , you can actually knit 2 socks-right and left on two 9’’ circular needles with 2 cakes of yarn simultaneously. For seasoned knitters , one cake of yarn is good enough. Use the inner yarn lead for right foot and outer yarn lead for the left foot. A bit tricky though but convenient to carry needles and yarn cake .
I learnt how to knit from a book my aunt gave me when I was a kid. Socks were always intimidating. Why? Because of the DPNs! I have them in plastic and I always loose my rows. Never finished a sock. Now, on RU-vid, I keep seeing people make socks in completely different and arguably easier-looking ways. If the metal tip wooden shaft ones don't save me, I'll give up and buy a magic loop instead.
Thanks for another informative video Tayler. I wanted to give you some food for thought. You left out some details related to those of us who prefer toe up socks or the way some explanations were given definitely presumed a person would be knitting cuff down. (EX: You need a needle to do the Kitchener stitch only applies to cuff down knitters)
Hi Tayler, Another great video full of helpful tips. I just want to add my favorite sock needles. I found the 9" circs to make my hand cramp up, however then discovered Addi Easy Knit Rocket 10" circs and they are a game changer. One tip is longer and slightly sharper so its much easier on my hand (english style knitter). I hold the longer needle in my right hand . Also have to give a shout out to good ole knit picks Felici striping yarn. Ive made some 8-9 years ago and still going strong, no holes yet.
TY.! I’ve already purchased the thread, needles and tools to my sock project…I need to choose the correct pattern for my first pair…and now to psyche myself up…take a deep breath and dive in!
Summer Lee has a new book, “The Sock Project,” that was released less than a month ago. Already selling out in many places. I think it will be a good resource for sock knitters, both new and experienced. Hope so…. I ordered it! 😂
I really like the Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Sox Therapist. Works for toe up or cuff down, one at a time, or two at a time, dpns or magic loop or 9in circular. I think it greatly simplifies the heel, as well as including a good method for sizing the socks from a template when knitting toe-up. isn't free, but is a very reasonable price. I do two at a time magic loop toe up and start with Judy's Magic Cast On. (or a variation of that seamless toe)
Socks are what got me back into the knitting groove 2 years ago! They're small so easy to bring anywhere, they dont take a lot of thinking throughout, while still being engaging because of the heel/gusset/toes. I also love getting single skeins of pretty yarn, as my budget doesnt allow for a lot of yarn purchases. Socks are perfect to enjoy some nice colourways in small amounts. Also, lotta fun to try new/different techniques every once in a while. And then also also, if you suffer of second sock syndrome - either go 2 at a time (can feel slower mentally tho) or just mismatch all your socks! Anyway once you know how to knit a sock you'll have no issue knitting a sweater, and vice-versa :)
I actually love knitting socks. I find them kind of magical. Every time I do my heel flap and gusset, and see the heel take shape, I get a little thrill lol. I always knit cuff down and use a 9" circular, and then switch to DPNs for the toe. :)
Great video! My recommendations would to also use a row counter to track rows so socks end up the same when knitting one at a time. I also couldn’t agree more that knitting a cup cozy to learn magic loop is a great way to learn! That’s exactly what I did and made knitting my first pair of socks so much easier. I also used video tutorials to help me visualize the written pattern. Kristin Lehrer has a great tutorial and pattern (Favorite Socks).
Thank you for this video, Taylor! I love the idea of learning my custom sock recipe early on; I look forward to giving it a try! For my first pair of socks, I used "Handmade by Florence's" Petal Drop Socks, which is a pay-what-you-wish pattern and has a *full tutorial* on RU-vid, by Florence. As a beginner knitter, I wanted someone to guide me through the process (hence the video!), but I also didn't love the option of self-striping yarn to make the project more interesting (just not my style, I'm a texture over color person). I love the lace repeat pattern & think it's a great option for an adventurous beginner with only a few previous projects under their belt. Also Florence just has a lovely channel and calming presence. Now I'm excited to explore more of the materials you presented here & think it's time for me to have my own vanilla sock recipe :)
My preference is 3 16 inch circulars, tried using the shorter trio sets but the needle size was to small for me. 2 16 inch works to but feels a little restricted. Tried all ways but i find myself enjoying the 3 16 inch circulars more than the rest.
There's yet another possibility as needles are concerned. Addi crazy trios. Way easier than dpn's and very convenient that your heel stitches are already on one needle.
Hi Tayler. Very interesting video. I have made 2 pairs of socks. They were both cuff down and knit 2 at a time on 2 separate needles using worsted yarn. The first pair I used Patons wool. I wanted warm wool for my husband during the harsh New England weathers. They both came out great. Then I decided to try a toe up sock using Patons Kroy sock yarn and it was a disaster. I could not get gauge no matter how hard I tried. I kept using smaller and smaller needle sizes and it was still too big. I eventually gave up. The toe was way too big. Maybe trying it this way could possibly help. I’m not attempting toe up again. I only chose that method because I’d already mastered the grafting so I thought I’d learn something new. Thanks for sharing all of your ideas on how to do this as well as the resources. Maybe, just maybe I’ll try again. Either way I’ll end up with some nice cup cozies! Enjoy your trip!❤
I highly recommend Tanis Fiber Art for the gorgeous yarn, but also, Tanis has a free vanilla sock pattern on Ravelry. They're my favorite yarn producer. Cruelty-free and often organic yarns! Also, Taylor, please tell us which colorway this yarn is. Thank you!
i actually also knit flat on cabled needles, kind of happened because I wanted to knit on the train or other public transportation and normal needles meant I needed to sit weirdly to not poke someone if someone sat beside me lol also less pull on my arms and stuff.
This! I started knitting everything on circular needles when I took public transport. Yes, not poking the neighbors, but also, someone bumps you and you drop a needle, you do not want to chase that needle down the length of the bus. 😫
