I have an interesting relationship with knitting. For the most part, I am content to make everything in crochet – since crochet is faster and easier for me. Ever since I learned to knit 3 years ago it has been a craft that I pick up once in a great while. In fact, prior to a few weeks ago, I hadn’t picked up knitting needles in a year!
But about a month ago I got random the urge to make socks. I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied I crocheted them, they had to be knitted. However, I had my doubts because I didn’t have the correct materials and I hadn’t even picked up knitting needles in a year. Additionally, I wasn’t confident that I was capable of knitting socks with my very limited knowledge of knitting.
I decided to make it my Christmas break project, since I would have more time to figure it out. But a couple of weeks ago, the urge was so strong, I ordered the needles and yarn and started working on them that weekend!
I had so much fun making these socks that it only took me a week to make them! They were surprisingly very easy to knit and making these socks really boosted my confidence in knitting. I know that knitting will become a more regular craft for me as I have so many sock ideas!
I write this post because I want to encourage you to step out and make something that you normally wouldn’t! And if you wanted to step into the world of knitting socks I have included all details about my socks and the resources I used to hopefully help you!
Materials
Yarn
The yarn I used to make my socks was Andean Sun Yarn’s Alpaca Yarn Blend in the fingering weighty. This is a new brand to me, and I already really love their yarn! The yarn itself is unbelievably soft, making such a cozy pair of socks!
The best part for me, is that while the yarn is incredibly luxurious, it is affordable! The yarn comes in packs of 3 skeins for $18. I made one pair of socks with 1 skein, so I was able to make these lovely socks for just $6!
Needles
I used Clover’s Takumi No. 3 Bamboo Circular Needles and I used the 24″ interchangeable cord. I purposefully purchased interchangeable needles so that I’d have a more flexible needle collection.
For the most part, my tension with these needles and the yarn was pretty good. I originally wanted the No. 1 needles, but I couldn’t find them on Amazon. But the socks still look great with this needle size!
Pattern
Big surprise, I did not use a specific pattern to make these socks. I used socks that I had as a template to make socks that fit me. I used the toe-up method with an after thought heel. I was super intimated by the thought of doing an after thought heel, but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was! I knitted a basic stockinette stitch for the sock and finished with a knit 1, purl 1 cuff.
While I didn’t use an actual written pattern for the numbers of my sock, I did rely on Knitty Natty’s video tutorials for doing the technical parts like the toe, after thought heel, and casting off.
The videos I used are HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.
I hope this has given you the motivation or the confidence to make socks – if I can do it, you can do it!! Seriously, this is coming from the girl who had not knit in over a year and who had a very limited knowledge of knitting.
If you knit socks, be sure to share them with me on Instagram! (@stitchberryblog)!
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