I need opinions on socks. I have never been able to understand why people knit socks. You wear them to death, they get holes in, and they smell. You can also buy them sooo cheap too. However, I found an earlier thread on here about socks, and after seeing other pictures of them, I want to make some.

Are they easy(ish)? What's the deal with double pointed needles? They look scary, as far as I can tell you need ten of the blighters to knit a sock, and I don't want to use them. I've gathered you can't really use straights...can I use circulars? How does the self patterning sock yarn stuff work? Do they take long to knit? Does anyone have a nice easy basic pattern for a beginner and a recommendation for any inspiring but not overly expensive yarn? Also, how do you wash them? There's no way I'm handwashing socks! And do you have to sew? I hate hate hate sewing/making up/finishing!

I like the idea of something that doesn't take too long to knit but that looks gorgeous!

This answer could take some time! The reason I knit socks is because I love the process. It's a relatively small project, but you've got the variation in knitting the cuff, the leg and foot, one of the many different types of heel and the toe. Then you've got the vast array of different patterns to play with, as well as the decision as to whether to use DPNs or one of the cicular needle techniques.

Here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=99738) is my guide to knitting socks on DPNs using the Jaywalker pattern (http://magknits.com/Sept05/patterns/jaywalker.htm). As for the circular needle methods, those are turra21 and LisaH's department :) . I prefer the DPNs, but both turra and Lisa have done some amazing socks using the magic loop.

Yes, you can buy socks cheaply, but that doesn't matter to me. I'd make the socks even if I had no intention of wearing them; infact, some socks are so lovely that I don't want to spoil them by wearing them!

I must admit that knitting socks takes a bit of practice, especially if you use the DPN method. Turra and Lisa will tell you that the Magic Loop method is easier, and I think technically it probably is. However, if you're a tight knitter, or don't really like circular needles, you might have a problem. I seem to have a bit of a mental block with it for some reason too :suspect: .

LOL You don't need ten DPNs to knit socks; you can get away with four or five. All is revealed in my guide :) . Go on, give it a try... you might like it!

The self-patterning sock yarn is basically just a ball of patterned yarn. It's space-dyed so that diffeent sections and lengths of it are different colours and when knit into a stocking stitch sock, the pattern emerges. Usually the pattern is stripes, but the Regia and Opal yarns also have more complicated patterns.

If you order Regia sock yarn from McA Direct (http://www.mcadirect.com/shop/index.php/cPath/21_53?osCsid=242a63a8a7abea4f2167ccf857c031bd), you get a free basic pattern with your order (as long as you remember to add it to your shopping cart). This is the one I used to make my first pair, using the 6-ply sock yarn. It's a little thicker than the traditional sock yarn which is usually 4ply or an equivalent weight. The pattern is for the DPN method though. You'd need to talk to Turra21 or LisaH to ask how you could adapt it for using circualr needles.

How you wash them depends on the yarn you use. Some you can put in the washing machine on a 40 degree cycle, while others you would need to hand wash in cool water. They'd end up felted if you put them in the washing machine. I tend to dry them flat and reshape them while damp.

There's no sewing involved as such. However, if you do a top-down pattern (starting at the cuff and finishing with the toe), you'd need to use the Kitchener Stitch to join the toe. That's in my guide too.

Thanks for that Hecate. I will read your post more thoroughly tomorrow once I have recovered from my hangover. I have to go now as I have friends coming round and someone has to make a start on the box of wine I bought!

I havent totally decided whether I like DPNS or circulars for socks yet - the ones Im doing at the moment are using DPNS (the Dragon socks are looking fab - the Koigu yarn is yummy but Ive worked out with yarn and pattern these socks are going to cost in te order of £20:shocked: )

Socks look harder and sound harder to knit that I think they are. As hecate says try Regia - I think Rooty is doing some in a 6ply which should be quite quick to knit. Just pick a nice plain sock to do as a starter with some self patterning or verigated yarn and dont be tempted to try Elfines as your second pair:shocked:

Welcome to the world of socks and good luck:D

Thanks! Socks are to be my next project...I will try DPNs aswell, might as well go the whole hog....quite looking forward to it now.

I've done one and a half pairs of socks so far, and if i didn't have so many other things on the go i think I could be addicted to doing them!

I just bought this (http://www.curiousyarns.co.uk/sock_kits.html) in the Sloe colourway. I can't wait to have my first go at making socks! If all goes well everyone will be getting a pair for xmas whether they like it or not :)

I just bought this (http://www.curiousyarns.co.uk/sock_kits.html) in the Sloe colourway. I can't wait to have my first go at making socks! If all goes well everyone will be getting a pair for xmas whether they like it or not :)
I've been very tempted on several occasions to buy from there. Post a pic of the yarn when it arrives. I'd really like to see how the colour in the picture matches up to it 'in the flesh' .

There are some really lovely colours in the sock yarn. As well as Sloe, I'm really taken with Ocean, Beach, Forestwalker and Igloo. Tempting...

Well, I joined a sock club at Hipknits at the end of June which was due to start this month but I've still not had the yarn!! I emailed her about 10 days ago and she said the recent cold weather had caused a delay in the dying which was fair enough and that it was going to be posted that day. I'm still waiting! Emailed again yesterday but still no reply.
Anyway, I've been naughty and just ordered so L&L sock yarn in Aslam (seen as I couldn't get it for the Clapotis) so i'll post a pic when it gets here.
Also, I prefer bamboo dpn's to the metal ones, they are less slippy i think

Aslan is the colour I was originally going to buy for Clapotis. I look forward to seeing what it looks like in the sock yarn. It might just push my over the edge into ordering a few skeins... :) .

Also, I prefer bamboo dpn's to the metal ones, they are less slippy i think

I ordered the kit with bamboo needles. I've never used them before but I've heard people saying that bamboo are better. One question, if they are double pointed, don't the stitches drop off the ends?