Socks (Knitting)

[StripyPixieSocks]

I don't know if there are any n00b knitters on here like me but I found this totally de-mystifying tutorial on how to make a sock: http://www.downsizer.net/Projects/A_sus ... k_Pattern/

BRILLIANT!

I'm going to try this... I might be some time, it often takes be around 18 tries to get it right

[Helsbells]

Humph, I dont know how to knit....that all looks very complicated to me
I want to be able to knit!!

[StripyPixieSocks]

Humph, I dont know how to knit....that all looks very complicated to me
I want to be able to knit!!

Well... about 6 months ago neither did I but I wanted to make something for a friends baby and ended up teaching myself to know by just watching videos on simple knitting then following a pattern looking up and learning each new stitch as I went along.

It took a while, it took me 18 attempts to make a simple baby beanie hat and I have lost count on how many times I started a baby blanket I still haven't finished... last count was 28 times I unravelled the entire lot and started all over again... I really should finish it.

It's hard going at first, slow and your hands ache (and your shoulders if you get all tense like I do) but eventually you kind of get into the swing of it and before long you have lovely knitted stuff.

I think also it's better to have the knitting in your hands and follow a pattern along because just reading it usually leaves me thinking 'what the hell?' at all the slipping stitches over knitting end joinings and what-not

[Brij]

Um, this time last year I'd never knitted, now I can knit anything - literally.

Don't worry so much about patterns is my biggest tip, I'd just say make sure you have a clear idea of the dimensions of what you want to knit, then... well, knit them.

The best site I found is learn2knit.co.uk. Apart from that, if there's anything you're really stuck on, just google it. If you're anything like me, you'll find yourself picking up handy tid-bits even from the posts you find that aren't so relevant to your query.

[prison break fan]

Thanks StripyPixieSocks, I shall have a go at those Knitting is one thing I'm good at!! My grandaughter was thrilled with her hoodie! pbf

[Annpan]

BRIJ!!!! your back

I was in John Lewis yesterday and I was looking at sock wool - £4 a ball, and you need 2 balls for a pair of socks Can anyone tell me of a MUCH cheaper online stockists??

[hamster]

Humph, I dont know how to knit....that all looks very complicated to me
I want to be able to knit!!

I'll teach you to knit!

Hello Brij! Where've you been?

[agapanthus]

I don't know if there are any n00b knitters on here like me but I found this totally de-mystifying tutorial on how to make a sock: http://www.downsizer.net/Projects/A_sus ... k_Pattern/

BRILLIANT!

I'm going to try this... I might be some time, it often takes be around 18 tries to get it right

Thanks for the link pixie! Started knitting OH a pair of socks last December....never did get around to finishing them....but seeing this has inspired me!!!

[kathleen]

Not exactly knitting, but wool based...I really want to learn to crochet, got a book but I think I'm quite remedial and just can't do it! anyone know of a good website?? I've visited quite a few that didn't really help me so much...as I said I'm a very remedial crochet student! I'd love to make a blanket sometime in the next 6 months!!

[prison break fan]

The only way I could learn to crochet was to sit and watch someoneelse doing it! Has anyone tried Tunisian crochet? pbf

[Rosendula]

Fantastic timing, StripyPixieSocks! I only said to my son this morning that I fancy having a go at knitting my own socks. I'll have a look at the link.

[Green Aura]

Kathleen
Crocheting looks a little complicated but is really easy.

The basic rule you need to get your head round (at least initially) is that no matter how many loops you have on your hook, you never pull through more than 2 at a time. You're always reducing the number of loops by one, until you return to just one loop on your hook.

A chain is 1 loop on hook and draw yarn through it.
A double crochet has one loop on the hook, put hook through loop below in your piece of work and draw yarn through, then draw yarn through both loops that are left on hook.
A treble - 1 loop on hook, wind yarn round hook (making no.2 loop), hook through loop below in work, draw yarn through it (making no.3 loop - hence treble). Then draw yarn through the nearest two loops, leaving 2 on hook (the original loop + the one you've just made). Draw yarn through these to return to the blessed state of 1 loop.

Oh, and don't try to use American patterns because they have different (but similar) names for all the stitches so your work will never look like the picture and you'll think it's because you're not doing it right.

The easiest way is to just have a play with a bit of old yarn and a big hook - leave the delicate cotton mats until next week!

[kathleen]

Thanks!! That is a million times clearer than any of the crazy instructions I've tried I will learn to do it!!!

[StripyPixieSocks]

I still haven't managed to get a start on this pattern yet... been a bit busy sorting some home stuff out this week but definitely will learn to make socks as my OH needs them for Medieval Re-enactment as we're going completely authentic at some point :D

Might have to invest in some nice new wool though... don't think baby pink and blue would cut it on the battle field somehow

[Rosendula]

Um, this time last year I'd never knitted, now I can knit anything - literally.....

The best site I found is learn2knit.co.uk....

My 'mother' taught me the basic knit-stitch when I was little, but she would never teach me how to do anything else, including casting on. I've had a look at the site Brij recommended, and I think it makes sense (just bought some knitting needles off eBay, so I can't try it out until they arrive). The only thing I don't get is the slip knot at the beginning - after you've done that it tells you what to do next to make the first stitch. But what happens to the slipknot? Where does that go and what do you do with it?