My First Sock

When I told my grandma I wanted to knit socks she laughed. She told me she remembers it being very difficult and told me she has only knitted one pair in her whole life. It was when she was first married to my grandfather.  She wished me luck when learning how to “turn the heel”.  So I became motivated to learn how to knit a sock, I mean how hard could it be?

I decided to walk-in a knitting store one day since I saw a sign that said Free Class With Purchase.  I went in to buy knitting needles and sock yarn.  I had no idea what I was doing.  Kudos to Cathy at Chics With Sticks knitting store in Santa Cruz, Ca.  She's just as obsessed with knitting socks as I am. She has the cutest store and big tables with comfy chairs to sit during her classes.  She gives great advise too if you pop-in.  She has taught me everything I need to know about knitting socks and more.

Knitting socks became my one true obsession while living in the mountains. My goal is to knit every one of my friends and family at least one pair of socks.  Socks are so much fun to make I find myself bring my knitting projects everywhere! When I see other girls out and about with their knitting I don’t mind speaking up and giving them the proper acknowledgement. You never know when you might learn about another knitting circle close by!

There are two ways to knit a sock: from the toe to the top, and the top to the toe. Either way I recommend using round needles as well as 5 double-sided needles throughout the making of your sock.  Once you develop more skill you can adjust your handling method.

I had to get on YouTube as well and start looking around for videos.  I will use this blog to weed out the good and bad videos for you and post them upon discovery if they are helpful. 

There are ways to alter the top of the sock too.  I’ve done so many socks I can make up a quick pattern for the top of the sock, and even found patterns online for skulls, hearts, stripes, etc.  So many creative options! I’m glad I have this blog in order to share patterns and much more with my friends and family! 

The following pattern is the pattern I used making my first sock.  I got it from Cathy at my first sock knitting class. It can be found on www.Ravelry.com by the Knitting Zone. 

“Beginners Sock” Pattern

You will need: 100 grams of yarn in any weight or color to obtain desired gauge.  HiyaHiya 9” circular needle size 2 or 3 US. NOTE: You will need a second 9” circular needle when turning the heel or use 5 double pointed needles of the same size. (You will also need a crochet hook in case you lose stitches, a large blunt nosed yarn needle, some YouTube videos or someone to teach you how to turn the heel and gusset, and finally, the “Kitcheners Stitch” Pattern handy).

Gauge: 7 inches per stitch

Start at the ribbing and the leg.

Cast on: 56 sts

Join in a ring being careful not to twist.  This method is kind of tricky so you might want to practice.  This video best explains how to join stitches together in the round to start your sock. Use a marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Begin knitting with your desired ribbing pattern and knit circularly for approximately 2 inches. (This is the ribbing on the top of the leg, you can experiment with this and create your own styles and lengths). 

Knit one round even.  Knit in rounds until the desired leg height is reached. 

Transfer 28 instep stitches to a double point needle or to a second 9” circular needle.

Begin Heel:

Note, heel is worked in rows on your 9” circular over 28 sts. (Pick a side and stick to it. This is the back of your foot down the back of your heel before you actually turn the heel. Do not turn your work until it says so in the pattern.)

Row 1: *slip 1, k1 repeat from * across

Row 2: slip 1, purl across

Knit in heel pattern until you have 28 heel flap rows or desired length. I usually knit my heel flap to a length of 2.75” End with a purl row, turn your work.

Turn the heel:

Row 1: sl 1, k15 sts, k2 tog, k1 turn

Row 2: sl 1, p5 sts, p2 tog, p1 turn

Row 3: sl 1, k6 sts, k2 tog, k1 turn

Row 4: sl 1, p7, p2 tog, p1 turn

Repeat rows 3 and 4, increasing 1 additional k or p stitch after the sl 1 until all side stitches are consumed.  End with a purl row, turn your work. 

The following YouTube videos helped me when doing this part of the sock.  The patterns they are following are different than this one but the concept of how to turn the heel is the same. 

1. Kelley's Sock Class Heel of Sock Kelley's Sock Class Turning Heel 

2. Lion Brand Yarn How to Knit Socks: Turning the Heel 

3. Knitting Socks video by expertvillage 

Gusset:

For this part you will need to use the two circular needles or the 5 double point needles.  I use the double point because I found it easier to see what I was doing.  I needed to use some YouTube videos again to learn how to pick up stitches too.  Cathy showed me how at the knitting class too. She showed me how to pick up stitches with a small crochet needle which is easier than a knitting needle.   It’s much easier to have someone explain what you are doing at this point.  This part is done on the side of the heel that you knitted 2.75” of on as well as the other 3 sides of the sock in a circular row.

Round 1: knit across the heel flap.  Pick up and knit 14 stitches from the side of the heel flap plus one stitch in the gusset corner.  Place marker.  Knit the instep stitches off your second 9” circular or double point needle. Place marker.

Next, pick up one stitch in the gusset corner and 14 stitches from the side of the heel flap.  Knit the remaining stitches of your round.  Be sure you have 2 markers placed at the beginning and end of your instep stitches. (There should be 4 markers).

Gusset Decrease and Sock Foot:

Round 1: k1, ssk, knit until 3 stitches before your marker, k2 tog, k1, knit around.

Round 2: knit.

Repeat these 2 rounds until total stitches equal 56.

Sock Foot:

Continue knitting in rounds until you are approximately 1/5 to 2 inches from the top of your longest toe.

Shape Toe:

Transfer your instep stitches to a second 9” circular or a double point needle.

Round 1:

NEEDLE 1: k1, ssk, knit until the last 3 sts, k2 tog, k1.

NEEDLE 2: k1, ssk, knit until the last 3 sts, k2 tog, k1.

Round 2: knit around both needles

Continue in this manner until you have approximately 24 stitches remaining or until sock has your desired toe shape. 

You will need to know how to do the “kitchener’s stitch” or how to graft the toe closed.  See my blog on all the different stitches.