8 Tips for Knitting Socks
Nov 14, 2020 07:12 AM
Knitting your first pair of socks can be quite challenging, I know. Not only does knitting socks take a bit of practice, you also need to keep your motivation up so that you don’t feel tossing your yarn in the trash every time you’re lost or confused. The difference between a pair of hand-knit socks and the ones from the store is sort of like the difference between cotton and cashmere. (No offense to cotton! Cashmere is just extra.) If you’ve ever put on a pair, you know that hand-knit equals exceptional warm and cozy foot happiness. So even if you’re a beginner knitter, they’re totally worth the effort. Try these 8 practical tips to help you master the sock-knitting techniques.
Choose a Heavier Weight Yarn.
If you’re not yet confident using sock-weight yarn, get started with heavier yarn and then graduate to sock yarn for your next project. When you don’t have to worry about the yarn, you can focus more on the techniques. Just remember that if you knit socks with worsted weight yarn or a heavier weight, you might end up with something closer to a bootie or slipper than a traditional under-your-shoes sock. That’s OK — think of your new cozy footwear as an excuse to stay in with your cocoa and more knitting.
Switch the needles.
For a nice, dense sock that will last longer, knit the foot portion of the sock on a needle one size smaller than the pattern calls for.
Tighten up the stitches.
To tighten the join between the heel flap and gusset, pick up stitches through the back look of the chain edge stitches along the heel flap. This will twist the stitches and tighten them up.
Did you know that too-tight socks fall down more than looser socks?
If you’re knitting top-down socks, make sure to cast on loosely—try casting on over two needles if you tend to cast on tightly. If you’re knitting toe-up socks, bind off extra loosely! Many bind-offs are innately inelastic, so choose wisely. The sewn-bind-off is a good one to use on toe-up socks.
Vary your toe and heel designs.
Try so-called “Lazy Toe” method. Simply knit until there are eight to twelve toe stitches left and use a tapestry needle to draw the yarn through the stitches. I go through the stitches one time and pull them together, then a second time and pull them as tight as I can without breaking the yarn.
Save the heels and toes of your socks.
If you tend to wear out the heels and toes of your socks, try working a strand of thread with the yarn while working the heel flap, the heel turn, and the toe shaping. You can use regular sewing thread or buy special sock-reinforcement yarn at your local yarn shop.
Consider your fiber choice, too.
Choose a yarn that has a good amount of elasticity so that your socks don’t end up all droopy in some places. Wool yarns with a bit of nylon in them are always a solid choice for elasticity. If you don’t want to hand-wash your socks — and who does? — make sure you look for a superwash wool.
Avoid hot water when you wash your socks.
Even socks knit from superwash yarn might felt or shrink a little in hot water. To make your socks last longer, always dry them flat. Over time, the dryer will break down fibers.
Thank you very helpful good information I will enjoy making such very good tips have a beautiful day
Thank you very helpful good information I will enjoy making such very good tips have a beautiful day
Thank you so much, Rosemarie! I am glad that my tips are useful! Enjoy! And have a wonderful day! ❤️