Knit my first sock

17 years ago

I just knit my first sock, a baby sock. It was supposed to be size 1 year, but as others here have said, it was much much larger. So I will try making a smaller version of the pattern. I have two questions:

1) I did not have much of a hole at the gusset join, but it was detectable. What is the advice some gave here for that/ I seem to remember picking up an additional stitch.

2) When I pick up stitches for the gusset, do I pick the stitch up under the top two threads of the stitch, or between the two threads? Trying to go for a smooth join and attractive appearance too.

Thanks for advice. I have to say that I used my homemade double pointed 5 inch needles, and they worked great. I rubbed them down with more hand cream and if I felt a little rough spot, took the smoother side of my emory board to them.

I also have experimented making needles with those free chopsticks you get. Sharpened them in a pencil sharpener, smoothed them with fine sandpaper and rubbed them down with hand cream. Not bad.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

donna_loomis
17 years ago
Congratulations SheilaJoyce, but shame on you for not posting a picture for us to look at!

I am by no means an expert, but I have close to a dozen pair under my belt, so I will give you the small benefit of my limited experience.

In order to avoid that tiny hole at the gusset join here is what I do (it's awkard to explain and to do, but I hope to explain it sufficiently): I use a crochet hook to pull up a loop through the corner spot (before the first stitch you will pick up). Take the hook out of the loop and use it to go through the first spot you want to pick up a stitch. Then you maneuver backwards to that first loop and pull it up through the stitch. In essence you have pulled one loop through 2 stitches. Then proceed to picking up the rest of your stitches.

As for your second question, either way is correct. I have done both and both work. But I prefer to pick the stitches between the two threads. This makes for a smoother inside on the sock, which translates to a more comfortable sock. The first couple times I did it this way I thought the sock would stretch out in that spot, and it does look like it will as you start picking up the stitches. But once you've knitted a couple more rows you will see that it will be just fine.
0
sheilajoyce_gw
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, Donna. I do not have a digital camera, so no hope of a picture to show off. I might get my friend to post the musical afghan I made my son a few years ago as she took a picture of that afghan.

The way you described is how I picked up stitches, and I will try the looping the extra stitch over the first pick up. I understood your instructions. The "hole" was not bad, almost the same as a typical space between stitches, but I would rather err on the side of the additional stitch for fear the little hole may open up in the wearing of the sock or laundering it.

Instead of a 1 year old size, I ended up with a 5-7 year old size sock from a 1 year size pattern, it seemed to me. I made a 1 year size cardigan of the same DK yarn, so I thought I would use the extra yarn to make a sock style bootie in size 1.

I have now bought size 1 double pointed needles to have another go at it. I could not find such small dowel, or I would have made these needles too. Next time, I will locate some bamboo skewers and turn them into dp size 1s. I make a set of 5 dps from dowel for about $1. I bought 5 dps in size 1 in the cheapest wood/bamboo for $9 or $10. I am such a cheapskate, that it kills me to spend this kind of money for something I could make!
0
Related Discussions
WANTED: Pattern for Knitted Tube Socks
Q
Comments (1)
Poppy, see your post at the knitting forum. Tami
...See More
Phooey! I want to abandon my first-ever sock for a different one
Q
Comments (5)
Francy, if you want to start a new "first sock", go ahead. But I will tell you that, using double points or one long circular (majic loop method, my favorite way), it still takes me about that much time to do an inch. We took a trip on the turnpike one time, DH driving and me knitting. I put a marker in the place I was when we got on, and checked the time stamp on the turnpike ticket when we got off. I put another marker at that place on the sock. When we got home, I measured that distance between markers, measured a sock I had previously made, and figured that a simple sock with about two inches of ribbing for the cuff and the rest of the sock in stockinette stitch, it took me 20-25 hours to knit one pair of socks. So don't get discouraged that it takes you so long to do it. I've been knitting socks for about 8 years. You really aren't much slower than I am! You might get the hang of dbl pts faster with the bigger needles and yarn, and get a good rythm going with them, then go back to the size 2 (which is what I use) and find it works just fine. And, yes, put the already started sock on some waste/stray yarn and put the needles away so one doesn't get lost or broken. Let us know how you do. Oh, and the ladders with lessen with practice! Just tug the first couple of sts a bit tighter than usual as you start the next needle, that will help with the ladders. You will still have small ones, but they will relax into the sock when it is finished. Tami
...See More
Working up courage to try knitting socks
Q
Comments (12)
You can get sock yarn on-line thru Joann.com. They sell Lion Brand "magicstripes" and Paton's Kroy Sox Yarn and Bernat sock yarn. You can usually get a pair of socks from one skein for about $8-9 dollars a pair. You can also find all kinds of information on sock yarn and patterns by doing a search on "knitting socks". I tried the pattern put out with the Lion Brand Magicstripes yarn.I had no problems following the directions and actually turned the heel the first time thru the directions, the biggest thing I was afraid to do with socks. So, as someone else here on this forum said, "just slowly follow the directions and you should have no trouble". I never finished the toe as the sock was huge, so that's a part I don't know yet. I had already gone down from size 3 to size 2 needles before starting the sock but it was still too big, so I pulled it all out and went to size 1 needles. Have just reached the beginning of the heel and so far it looks ok size wise(adult medium size). I like watching the pattern made by the striping yarn and the wool in the yarn makes it very comfortable to work with. I enjoy doing it. I have already gotten more sock yarn for future knitting. Good luck - I hope you like sock knitting too.
...See More
should I knit socks?
Q
Comments (10)
YES!!!! My dad has diabetes. He always complains that store bought socks make his toes sore, because of the seams. I made him a pair of socks. Mom washes them & as soon as they are dry, they are back on his feet!!!! I knit mine cuff down and kitchener the toes closed. NO irritation! My first knit project was a dish cloth. 2nd was a baby sock, 3rd was my first pair of socks for me. I started with double points, but after about a year, the magic loop method was found by the owner of our local store. I have done them that way ever since. I also do not switch to dbl pts to do the toe. I have never seen any reason to. I have tried the 12" needles, but don't like them. Also, I have 2 sets of circular needles for socks. I start both socks at the same time, especially good for the new self striping yarns, and my gauge is much more likely to match for both socks. I do a few inches on one, then work on the other for a while, then switch back again. I use Ann Norling's Basic Adult sock patter, which gives you your choice of 3 different weights of yarn and the instructions to match. You have also been given excellent advice above. I always have socks on needles, as they are easy take along projects and fit in your purse or a small bag, for dr. appts, ect. Tami
...See More
donna_loomis
17 years ago
I know what you mean. The dpns in bamboo are so expensive, but I like them so much better than metal. I may give your idea a try.
0
tami_ohio
17 years ago
Sheila,Congratulations on your first sock!

From experience, the bamboo meat skewers are a size 2 needle! I broke one of my set and that measured the same size. DH was kind enough to do the sanding for me so that it was done quickly enough for me to finish the sock. If I had to do the sanding, I would still be doing it! LOL

Tami
0

Knit my first sock

Comments (4)

donna_loomis

sheilajoyce_gw
Original Author

Related Discussions

donna_loomis

tami_ohio

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Knit my first sock

Comments (4)

donna_loomis

sheilajoyce_gwOriginal Author

Related Discussions

donna_loomis

tami_ohio

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

sheilajoyce_gw
Original Author