For Christmas I asked for a couple of books about knitted socks .... and Santa was so kind to gift me what I was asking for : Knit Your Socks on Straight by Alice Curtis and Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd !!!
Honestly, I was NEVER interested in learning how to knit socks (especially on DPNS), even because in the last 11 years I've been living in hot countries like Egypt, Indonesia and Mozambique, where I never used to/ or wear socks !!!! I just use some soft comfy pairs in the evening, while relaxing on the couch or because my men want the AC on .... I hate ACs and my remedies against the enemy are my cosy blankets and those socks !
But one day, my youngest sister asked me to try, because she would love to sell my handmade socks in her shop in Milano (vintage clothing) .... I was not able to say "NO WAY!" to her and I thought that the challenge was really welcome to get myself out my comfort zone, you know ... The only thing I was aware was that I was not knitting socks on double pointed needles, as I really don't like them !!
I've tried some simple patterns that I found on Pinterest (like this one), but I was not happy with all the sewing involved ... so I decided to learn from good books as the ones I listed above !
After various attempts ( I got even furious!!!) I was able to achieve the main target : my first pair of knitted socks ...
They are not perfect, but I'm a very proud mama !!! ;oD
I started my initiation to knitted socks just following the basic pattern "Your First Socks" found on "Knit Your Socks on Straight" by Alice Curtis .... I thought that this pattern should be easy peasy even for a beginner like me in the world of knitted socks ... WRONG !!!
If you never had knitted socks before, well the guidelines given in this book are not sufficient to start : have you ever picked up stitches for the gusset??? Well, I never did before and the few words (and not really good pics, sorry to say) given by the author were not really helpful ...
So my first try (above pics) has to be unraveled .... even because the instructions for the foot were just a hint (..."work even in stockinette stitch until foot measures about 8 inches from the back of the heel, or 2 inches shorter than desired length " .... shorter, but WHY????) and there were some errors in the stitch counting for the toe ... anyway ....
Luckily, I had the other book ("Getting Started Knitting Socks" by Ann Budd), that is really good to learn how to knit socks in the round (circular needles or dpns), but is even helpful, because of the pictures and the schemes and good written instructions, for socks on straight needles!!!
So, one day, I started again ... I had even to use a different pair of needles (no more 4,5 mm, but 5mm) and a different yarn (Balmy Pluss by B.B.B. filati in light blue) ...
... and with more patience and knowledge of what I was embracing I went on ...
... and knowing how to pick up stitches helped a lot to complete the heel, heel turn and the gusset ...
.... and even the foot was an easy ride at the end ....
... and the sewing was very quick, as you just need to crochet some slip stitches (a ridge of chains is formed on one side of each sock) ....
.... I tried the first sock on with great satisfaction ....
Worth it !!!!
xxxx Alessandra
Honestly, I was NEVER interested in learning how to knit socks (especially on DPNS), even because in the last 11 years I've been living in hot countries like Egypt, Indonesia and Mozambique, where I never used to/ or wear socks !!!! I just use some soft comfy pairs in the evening, while relaxing on the couch or because my men want the AC on .... I hate ACs and my remedies against the enemy are my cosy blankets and those socks !
But one day, my youngest sister asked me to try, because she would love to sell my handmade socks in her shop in Milano (vintage clothing) .... I was not able to say "NO WAY!" to her and I thought that the challenge was really welcome to get myself out my comfort zone, you know ... The only thing I was aware was that I was not knitting socks on double pointed needles, as I really don't like them !!
I've tried some simple patterns that I found on Pinterest (like this one), but I was not happy with all the sewing involved ... so I decided to learn from good books as the ones I listed above !
After various attempts ( I got even furious!!!) I was able to achieve the main target : my first pair of knitted socks ...
They are not perfect, but I'm a very proud mama !!! ;oD
I started my initiation to knitted socks just following the basic pattern "Your First Socks" found on "Knit Your Socks on Straight" by Alice Curtis .... I thought that this pattern should be easy peasy even for a beginner like me in the world of knitted socks ... WRONG !!!
If you never had knitted socks before, well the guidelines given in this book are not sufficient to start : have you ever picked up stitches for the gusset??? Well, I never did before and the few words (and not really good pics, sorry to say) given by the author were not really helpful ...
So my first try (above pics) has to be unraveled .... even because the instructions for the foot were just a hint (..."work even in stockinette stitch until foot measures about 8 inches from the back of the heel, or 2 inches shorter than desired length " .... shorter, but WHY????) and there were some errors in the stitch counting for the toe ... anyway ....
Luckily, I had the other book ("Getting Started Knitting Socks" by Ann Budd), that is really good to learn how to knit socks in the round (circular needles or dpns), but is even helpful, because of the pictures and the schemes and good written instructions, for socks on straight needles!!!
So, one day, I started again ... I had even to use a different pair of needles (no more 4,5 mm, but 5mm) and a different yarn (Balmy Pluss by B.B.B. filati in light blue) ...
... and with more patience and knowledge of what I was embracing I went on ...
... and knowing how to pick up stitches helped a lot to complete the heel, heel turn and the gusset ...
.... and even the foot was an easy ride at the end ....
... and the sewing was very quick, as you just need to crochet some slip stitches (a ridge of chains is formed on one side of each sock) ....
.... I tried the first sock on with great satisfaction ....
Worth it !!!!
xxxx Alessandra
You've done an amazing job, these socks look super cosy!
ReplyDeletethank you!!! ;oD
Deletexxxx Ale
Wow, these look great Alessandra! I'm fascinated to see them knitted on straight needles - it really works though :) I'm a big Ann Budd fan too - her books are brilliant - she taught me how to knit socks too! Love the colour you've chosen for these - they look very toasty :) They are so beautifully made - enjoy them! x
ReplyDeleteThey are not perfect???? If you say so Alessandra!!! They perfectly wonderful to me,personally I just would not know where to start!
ReplyDeletekeep well
Amanda x
Super, Ale, congrats!! Pretty socks and what a nice color. I never tried knitting socks on straight needles, I love the dpns. But no matter; the main thing is that you were successfull :-)))
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day! Nata xxx
Well done. Your first socks look beautiful and warm. They are great for women who always have cold feet. Good to hear wich book was a great help for knitting them.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day, Margaret
Yay, you did it proud sock mama ;-)!! I am still not brave enough to try, and I can't knit hahaha!
ReplyDeleteLots of love from Mirjam.
You have to try !!!! It is fun !!!
Deletexxxx Ale
tenen pinta de ser moooolt còmodes, Ale!!!!
ReplyDeleteM'encanta el color també!
Que tinguis una bona setmana!
How fantastic!!! I am so totally in awe of anyone who can knit socks!! I hope that you can make lots and that your sister will sell lots. I cannot knit - let alone socks - but bloggy pal Christine at Winwick Mum blog has written a book called Super Socks and did a sockalong and it was very popular so you might want to look at that, the tutorials are on her blog - free - and I believe that there is no sewing and instructions on how to work in a variety of ways. Hope that it might help you to get further, I am not on commission or anything, I promise! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat fabulous socks you have there! You would never know they were knitted on two needles at all! I'm afraid I'm far too lazy to do any sewing up which is why I knit in the round which is super-easy once you get going - perhaps something for you to try another day! :-) xx
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! Well done!!!! I can knit about two lines and then things go totally wrong with dropped stitches and sides going in, a project never gets past that stage (hence the crochet). I hope you are able to start up a little business doing this amazing craft :)
ReplyDelete