Sandy,

With the sock yarn I am going to win from you (dreams & Hopes here baby!) I am going to attempt these little babies for my first sockies.

http://www.valleycafe.com/knitting/babysocks.pdf

OK, so really, I'm going to attempt them in magic stripes if I don't win, but again . . . dreams & hopes!

April

Well! If you ain't just GQ (Gusset Queen)! I say keep the Single Sock as a reminder of how far you've come. And you have, sweetpea!

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! xxoo

I agree with the Yankee Knitters pamphlet. I think it is a good basic pattern. I think my first sock was about 10 years ago. They were newborn socks. I only ever made the one pair. The two years ago, I rediscovered socks and have been addicited since. I am working on the leaf Lace socks from Fiber Trends. It is a great patttern , and fun see work up.

I like this poor lonely sock, it looks like it should be adopted - My closest sock knit is fuzzy feet so I can't be far off real socks can I

When we start people on socks at the shop, we always sell them the Ann Norling basic sock pattern. I like the way it gives you several different options for gauge and let's you fill in the blanks for style (rib type, cuff length etc). For under $6, you can't go wrong. If they fall in love with sock knitting, then I send them onto Socks Soar, just because I love using 2 circs.

Alissa, the sock-a-holic

Susan, it's a great idea to make a felted christmas stocking! I prefer DPN's, but that is only ME. To make a huge sock, I don't know what would be better. Any thoughts anyone? Have you made one?
Know-it-all-Amanda :) I think it is wonderful that you have a great grasp of knitting that you can wing it. You will never be at a loss of what to do that way!
Lauren, I have tried the 2 circ method and I liked it, although I love my DPN's. I think it's great that we can choose our favorites!
Nancy, I have heard wonderful things about that book and will have to treat myself to it someday!
Kendra, that is the way to do it. If you could do the stinking vine socks, you can do anything! :) Now, go put them on for a while!
MB! I think I have that booklet but have never referenced it for some mysterious reason. I"m digging it out now!
Cindy, the photo-less one, I"m glad you ordered the pattern. I love it! I hope you do too....now, take a picture of yourself. Be brave! ;)
Monica, another book I have not heard of. So many books, so little time!
GINNY! YOu are blogging again! I missed you, girl!! Now, everyone go visit the ginn fizz!
Sock on!

So what is the preferred method? dpns or two circulars? I was considering starting with a huge sock - a felted Christmas stocking. Is this a ridiculous idea?

In typical Amanda, I-Know-Everything Even-Though-I've-Never-Knit-This-Before Fashion, I just kinda combined patterns and made it up as I went along. I have no idea how I ended up with a pair of socks. At any rate, they are no more. When I made my second pair of socks, I made them a bit smaller and they fit much better, so I frogged the first pair, and never looked back. I've 5 pairs so far, and I'm almost done with my 6th. And I don't bother with a pattern any more either. I like the look of pretty, lacy socks, but I find they don't stay up for me. So I've got a generic ribbed sock pattern that I more or less made up, and it works perfectly for me!

My first several pairs of socks were out of Wool Ease, knit a few years ago also. They didn't last very long. My favorite basic sock is from Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles. Now I always use the "magic loop" technique that I picked up online. It's SO much faster than dpns (at least for me)

"Knitters Handy Book of Patterns" by Ann Budd is wonderful. Amongst hats, mitts, gloves, and sweaters, it has a pattern for basic socks. The genius of this book is that you can take whatever yarn and needles you want and make socks that fit. All the math is charted out and the patterns are really easy to follow. I started out with socks made of worsted weight wool blend yarn and slowly graduated to fingering/sock weight. Now I have a long list of recipients each Christmas who are begging for socks! The self patterning yarn is great for beginners because you don't have to do anything fancy, just knit, and they still look really great and professional! Working with double points is tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it its really easy.

After one simple pair of socks (based on the basic socks pattern in the book that has basic everything patterns charted out for all the different gauges), I lept into Vine Lace Socks from Socks, Socks, Socks. I swan, that pattern was NOT hard, but after turning the heel, trying to keep the lace pattern straight on the top of the foot just seemed impossible. For reasons related mostly to masochism, I made two pairs of those stinkers. My friend loves her pair and I never wear mine. Sigh.

I have that same booklet! And I agree, it's a great place to start. I also like Yankee Knitters Socks for the whole family because it covers every gauge and every size sock. To all those just starting - you can do it! Socks really don't require much more than beginner skills and they are so much fun to knit because there's lots going on.

I also first did the Weekend knitting sock. I really need to get more fancy with my socks. Cables...patterns etc. If you keep posting lovely socks you will be my inspiration.: ) I did order that sock pattern from yesterday so there is hope for me.

I started my sock knitting off with the comfy cozy socks from Weekend Knitting. It was an easy pattern to follow and used big needles (size 6) so very quick to finish.

Lovin' the sock! And I took your advice and opened up my blog again. Thank you for the little push!