Knitting socks is one of my favorite knitting projects! It might sound difficult and intimidating, especially for beginners, however, with a little guidance, anyone can do it! It’s such a fun and rewarding project to take your knitting skills to the next level.
This beginner’s guide to knitting socks will cover all the basics you need to know to start knitting socks like a pro. From choosing the right yarn to caring for your finished socks, I’ve got you covered.
So, get cozy in your favorite knitting spot, and let’s get started on this exciting journey of knitting socks together! Who knows, you might just end up with a brand new addiction to knitting socks—just like me.
Let’s dive in!
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Materials and Tools Needed for Knitting Socks
To start knitting socks, you will need the right materials and tools.
The materials you need include a good quality sock yarn, which is a special type of yarn that is durable and stretchy. Choose a good quality yarn made of wool, wool blend, or acrylic for durability and comfort. My personal favorite is a wool blend because it is durable, warm, and can wick away moisture. I usually use Patons Kroy Socks Yarn or Novita 7 Brothers for knitting socks. You can read more about different types of yarn here.
Generally, you will need one skein or 1.75oz (50g) to make one average adult sock. This means 3.5oz (100g) of yarn for a pair of socks.
You will also need a set of 5 double-pointed needles (DPNs). Make sure to choose needles that are the right size for your yarn, as indicated on the yarn label. Usually this means around US size 1 to 4 (2.25 to 3.5mm). If you are a beginner knitter, I recommend going with a bit thicker sock yarn, such as Novita 7 Brothers, and medium-sized needles. I always use US 2 (2.75mm) needles for Patons Kroy Sock Yarn and US 4 (3.5mm) needles for Novita 7 Brothers.
If you are using yarn that is not designed for socks, you should go down one or two needle sizes from what is recommended on the yarn label. The yarn label assumes that you’re making something else than socks and socks will become more durable when they’re knit at a tight gauge.
Other materials you will need include a tape measure for sizing your socks, scissors to cut yarn, and a tapestry needle to weave in the ends.
Finally, you may also opt for sock blockers. They are not a must when knitting socks but they do get your socks that finished look. If you want, you can also make your own sock blockers! Check the instructions for how to make sock blockers here.
Understanding Sock Anatomy
Socks may seem like a complicated item to knit, but once you understand their anatomy, the whole process becomes much easier. Starting from the top, a sock consists of a cuff, leg, heel, gusset, foot, and toe.
When knitting socks, it’s important to keep track of where you are in the pattern to ensure that you’ll knit all of these sections in the correct order and size. So, let’s take a closer look at each of these parts of the sock.
Cuff
The cuff is the top part of the sock. It’s usually worked in a rib stitch to keep the sock from slipping down the leg. In addition to rib stitch, you can also use cable or mock cable stitch to create a stretchy cuff.
Most socks have a cuff that is about 1 to 2 inches long. And very often the ribbing goes all the way down to the heel instead of a separate cuff. However, they’re optional, and not all sock patterns call for them.
I usually use 2×2 rib for the cuff and continue the cuff for the entire length of the leg when knitting socks. This is a very good basic pattern especially for beginners.
Leg
Below the cuff is the leg, which is the long part of the sock that runs from the cuff to the heel.
This is the part where you can get creative. You can use stockinette stitch, lace, cables, colorwork or any other pattern that’s different from the cuff. However, the leg can also be worked in ribbing, using either the same or different count than in the cuff.
The leg can be any length you prefer, but usually the leg is 1 to 2 inches for anklets and 6 to 8 inches for standard socks. If you’re making longer socks, remember to incorporate some shaping in the back of the leg to fit your calf.
Heel Flap
After the leg comes the heel, which is the curved section of the sock that covers the heel of the foot. Most sock patterns feature a heel construction that consists of a heel flap and a heel turn.
A heel flap is the part of the sock that goes down the back of your ankle. It’s typically knit back and forth in rows with about half of the total stitches of the sock while the remaining stitches rest on their needles.
A heel flap is typically worked in a repeating slip stitch pattern to provide reinforcement to the heel area. The first stitch of every row is usually a slipped stitch so that it will be later easier to pick up stitches along the sides of the heel flap. In addition, the slipped stitch edge will look cleaner.
You can also knit a decorative heel flap by using two or more color.
Heel Turn
A heel turn is an addition to the heel flap and it creates the cup of the heel to conform to the bottom of your foot.
Turning the heel uses a technique called short rowing, where you knit back and forth but don’t go to the end of the row each time.
This is often the most intimidating part of knitting a sock for beginners, but following the pattern and taking it slow is key.
Gusset
The gusset is the last part of the heel and it’s the wedge-shaped area that decreases on each side of the sock. It’s purpose is to decrease the circumference of the sock between the heel and the foot and return you to your original stitch count.
The gusset connects the heel to the instep, which is the part that goes over the top of your foot. This way, you can move back to creating the sock in the round.
Foot
The foot is the straight section of the sock that extends from the gusset to just before the toe. It is divided into two parts: the instep or the top of the foot and the sole or the bottom of the foot.
The foot is knitted in the round to create most of the remaining length of the foot. The instep usually uses the same pattern as the leg, whereas the sole is typically stockinette.
If you are a beginner, I recommend using stockinette stitch for the entire foot.
Toe
Lastly, the toe is the rounded section of the sock that covers the front of the foot.
The toe is shaped with a series of decreases that are worked for about an inch and a half (3.5cm) to taper and shape the toe of the sock.
It usually involves four decreases in a round, which is worked every other round until half of the stitches have been decreased, then again it’s decreased every round until just a few stitches remain. You can finish off the last stitches by threading the yarn through the stitches and closing the toe. Alternatively, you can sew the remaining stitches together using Kitchener stitch. You can find out different sock toe versions in this guide to knitting sock toes.
Knitting Socks for Beginners
Once you have all the materials you need, it’s time to cast on and start knitting the cuff of your sock. To cast on, you can use the long-tail cast-on method or any other cast-on method you prefer. To figure out the correct amount of stitches to cast on, you need to determine the size of the sock. Check out this knitted sock size chart to create perfect fitting socks.
Next, you will divide the stitches equally on four DPNs and start knitting in the round. The cuff can be any length you prefer. You can use ribbing, like a knit 2, purl 2 pattern, to create a stretchy and snug cuff.
After knitting the cuff, it’s time to knit the heel flap with half of the total stitches and finally turn the heel in order to shape the foot of the sock. Turning the heel can seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple once you understand the basic concept. You will work short rows to create a shape that fits around your heel.
Then, you will pick up stitches along the sides of the heel flap to join the leg stitches back into the work and resume knitting in the round. You have more stitches now than you did when you were knitting the leg. To get rid of them, you’ll work regular decreases along the sides of the foot to create the gusset.
From there, you will knit the foot of the sock, using a stitch pattern of your choice. The stockinette stitch is a common choice especially for beginner knitters.
Finally, you will decrease stitches at the toe to close it up and weave in any loose ends. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to knit socks in all different colors and patterns!
You can find detailed step-by-step instructions in my tutorial for how to knit a sock. They will explain in detail all the steps involved with knitting socks with clear images. With these easy instructions, you will be able to knit socks like a pro in no time.
Caring for Your Knitted Socks
Once you have knitted your socks, it’s important to finish them off properly to make them look neat and tidy. Blocking opens out stitches, which will help your stitches look more even and uniform, especially if there’s any sort of lacy pattern.
To block your knitted socks, let them soak in lukewarm water with a tiny bit of wool wash, such as Eucalan, for twenty minutes. Then roll the socks in a towel and squeeze the towel until most of the water is out. Place them on the sock blockers and hang to dry. Alternatively, you can put your hand in the damp sock and shape the sock with your fingers stretched and let them dry flat. It usually takes one day for the socks to dry.
You can read more instructions in this guide for how to block knitting.
To care for your socks, wash them in cool water with a gentle detergent and lay them flat to dry. Avoid putting them in the dryer, as this can cause them to shrink or lose their shape.
If your socks get a hole, you can repair them by darning the hole with a tapestry needle and yarn. With proper care and maintenance, your knitted socks can last for many years to come.
Conclusions
Knitting socks can seem like a daunting task for beginners, but it doesn’t have to be! After reading this beginner’s guide to knitting socks, you’ll now know all the basics you need to know to start knitting socks like a pro.
Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or just starting out, there’s always something new to learn when it comes to knitting socks. So don’t be afraid to try new techniques and experiment with different yarns—who knows what kind of cozy creations you’ll come up with!
Happy knitting socks!
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