Knit socks without grief?

[bonniethomas06]

Please help! I am about to loose my mind. Have cast on and attempted to knit 60 stitches three times this evening, and each time I cock it up - stitches slip off the needle, the whole thing gets twisted, I loose count - it's miserable.

Can somebody tell me - do the needles joined with the flexible cable (so that you can 'knit in the round') work for socks - the leg bit anyway -perhaps I could switch to the needles when I get to the heel.

Would be really grateful for any advice, I am going to literally cry in a minute Booooo

[Susie]

Don't cry!!!!!!

Yes, you can use circulars. I only ever use double pointed needles for knitting socks so I don't know the mechanics but google Magic Loop - this might be easier (loads of people use this method),

or, people also use two circulars for socks (I don't know how to do this either) - google Knitting Socks On Two Circular Needles and there are videos on youtube - also there is a book which is supposed to be good by Cat Bordhi called Socks Soar On Two Circular Needles.

or, there are even very, very tiny circular needles which you can use to knit socks with - I think there are some called Hiya Hiya (but they are very, very tiny so might be fiddly, also I'm not sure if you can get them in the UK).

Double pointed needles - are you using bamboo? Only I have never, ever, ever succeeded with metal ones - I have all the problems you describe, and bamboo/ wood sorts them out straight away because it grabs on to the stitches and they don't fall out as much. The first couple of rounds are always a bit dodgy though - once you get to round 3 you're home and dry!

Don't give up!!! Sending vibes!!!

Susie

[bonniethomas06]

That was fortuitous Susie, I was secretly hoping you would be lurking this morning.

Thanks, I will try the circular needles first I think, it seems logical to me. Have googled Magic Loop and it looks possible. Although there were references to knitting two socks at the same time using two loops. Why on earth would you ever want to do that!?!?!

Not using bamboo, but seriously considering it - had just spent a wodge of cash on wool and double pointed needles (using my mums until they arrived - had a sudden despreate urge to knit socks!)but the bamboo ones are really cheap, will get some.

Thanks again - and haven't forgotten about the picture of the quilt - machine quilted it like you suggested and it was fine - just waiting to find the right binding material and will put a picture up.

P.s have you considered being a knitting teacher? I can't find any in Wiltshire - but there must be a market for paying someone by the hour to teach it, or to point out where it went wrong etc. You would be fabulous.

[snapdragon]

So what sorta sox are we knitting ? I have four pairs on small circulars at the moment, all toes up as thats what I like.
am at SP11 so where are you?

[snapdragon]

/-Yes, you can use circulars.
..-/-.
or, there are even very, very tiny circular needles which you can use to knit socks with - I think there are some called Hiya Hiya (but they are very, very tiny so might be fiddly, also I'm not sure if you can get them in the UK).
-/-

Small Knitpro circulars available at various places (as well as €bay) - nearest to me is Andover, coincidentally I just went and picked up a set today though mostly I've bought online

look for knit and natter, stitch and bitch type groups you could find a whole heap of help
Love Yarn (where I was today) the 'shop' is on a trading estate and has tea, coffee, cakes, seats, and best of all -> guidance

[bonniethomas06]

Hi SD,

The pattern I am using is just a 'socks for numpties' one from Ravelry (which I have only just discovered. OMG! It's amazing!)

I am using chunky wool (which I had lying around) and a 5mm cicular needle. After so many failed attempts and tantrums, I have gotten past the ribbed bit at the top and am now working in 'stockinette stich' which I gather is knit and purl alternate rows. I am doing a 'top down' pattern as I am scared of doing the heels - so will work up to it!

I like the sound of 'Love Yarn' - we do not live too far apart - which trading estate>? Might have to check this out!

[bonniethomas06]

Sorry, just saw that you said Andover-bit of a trek, but a workmate has just told me there is a wool shop in Chippenham-will try it.

[Zech]

Try knooking instead, it's so much easier! I have blogged about this a bit...

Intro: http://growingthingsandmakingthings.blo ... oking.html
Making hooks: http://growingthingsandmakingthings.blo ... -hook.html
and: http://growingthingsandmakingthings.blo ... ments.html
Stitch tutorial: http://growingthingsandmakingthings.blo ... oking.html
First sock: http://growingthingsandmakingthings.blo ... g-sox.html

btw, 'stockinette stitch', which I believe is the same as 'stocking stitch' this side of the pond, is alternating knit and purl rows if you're knitting backwards and forwards, one needle to the other and back again, as you do normally for flat pieces of fabric. If you're knitting in the round, no backwards and forwards, then you don't have to change stitch (because you don't change direction), you just keep going with knit stitch round and round (or with purl stitch if you prefer - it makes no difference, except that you might have to turn the sock inside out when you finish).

If you like the look of knooking, I could send you a hook if you want to have a go.

[snapdragon]

I find toe upwards so much easier - but then I'm never quite sure when I'll get bored with it so I'm making sure at least the foot is done, length of leg will depend on patience and amount of wool.
Sounds like you're using it like two needles ?
ravelry I've managed to avoid lol loads of free patterns out there without joining something else online

the knooking thingy looks like a tunisian crochet hook with a flexible cable - seen some like that on ebay, made of bamboo with a thin tubing attached

[Susie]

Bonnie, thanks for the kind words and I'm glad your quilt went ok as well! I'm impressed with you making socks, it took me years to not be scared of them but once you've found the way that works for you you'll never look back. (Although I'm slightly concerned about the 60 stitches with chunky wool - they're not enormous are they? ).

Wanted to link you to Silver's Sock Class as well - http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/ - I haven't used any of these myself but they always get excellent feedback, and if I ever branch out from one-at-a-time top down I will be using them.

And now you're on Ravelry you're doomed - you'll be producing complicated fairisle and entrelac and giant shawls made from cobweb yarn before you know it. Somehow they suck you in and make you do it through osmosis, I don't know how it happens!

[wildbee]

Try knooking instead, it's so much easier! I have blogged about this a bit...

Intro: http://growingthingsandmakingthings.blo ... oking.html
Making hooks: http://growingthingsandmakingthings.blo ... -hook.html
and: http://growingthingsandmakingthings.blo ... ments.html
Stitch tutorial: http://growingthingsandmakingthings.blo ... oking.html
First sock: http://growingthingsandmakingthings.blo ... g-sox.html

Hmm, faster than two needle knitting? I might look into this, it took me 2/4 months to knit one sock on dpns! And it was only a tester in acrylic that I'll never wear.

[julie_lanteri]

And now you're on Ravelry you're doomed - you'll be producing complicated fairisle and entrelac and giant shawls made from cobweb yarn before you know it. Somehow they suck you in and make you do it through osmosis, I don't know how it happens!

that's very true! can we see it as continuous development?

[Luath]

This might be of interest/use; also, there's a topic there on 4 ply socks as well. good luck with them

http://creativeliving.10.forumer.com/vi ... .php?t=488

[Luath]

We're doing this one on River Cottage atm too, two needle socks. I've done my first one, is quite a good pattern, but willr eserve judgement until sewn up. I'm a four needle woman myself lol

http://www.rivercottage.net/forum/ask/p ... ted-socks/

[wildbee]

I've just found these on ebay; a set of 7 carbonised bamboo hooks for under £5 including postage :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7SZ-MULTIFUNCTI ... 140wt_1151

I'm pretty new to knitting, and crochet, how do you knook in the round? I'm getting it all in a big mess.