Most knitters, in my experience, practice learning the basic knit and purl stitches by making a scarf as their first project. One could knit only scarves and find an endless array of stitches, patterns, and yarns to use to make each one unique. But after a while, one tires of the back-and-forth rhythm a scarf provides and the knitter seeks out more challenging projects in order to make something different and also to learn new stitches and techniques for making shaped, fitted items (e.g., hats and gloves). I did just that about one year into my knitting practice. I wanted to learn how to knit socks.
After trying to decipher patterns and instructions for sock knitting I thought it best to take a class at my local yarn store. The class used the Magic Loop technique (knitting socks using a circular needle) and having one-on-one instruction and monitoring to get through the most challenging parts of the pattern were helpful. Then, I attempted to do this on my own.
Using small needles and sock yarn (which is, as you could imagine, thin as well), I quickly cast on my next pair after the first was completed and to my chagrin, without personal attention and coaching, I struggled. I struggled with two specific sections of the pattern – but two sections that are important parts of constructing the heel and moving towards the foot of the sock.
These early solo attempts ended in disaster. And it doesn’t help that when I make a mistake on a project that I typically stick it back in a plastic freezer bag until I am, eventually, inspired to rip it out or to attempt to fix the jumbled, tangled mess left in my wake.
As 2011 approached, I wrote a list, as I do each year, of things I want to accomplish, my goals for the year. These are not resolutions, but more an action plan. Knitting socks was on that list. So, recently, a friend told me about Staci Perry’s fantastic site, Very Pink, and there I found not only clear, well-written patterns, but also a series of links to tutorial videos on YouTube that walks the knitter through each step of the sock knitting process.
What I learned
There were a few things I realized as I completed – yes, I did it! – a pair of socks on my own.
First, instead of using Magic Loop (one point of my confusion was the reallocation of stitches and being clear about the direction in which I was knitting), I chose to use double pointed needles (DPNs). When you have to adjust stitch placement, it is very clear which is needle 1, 2, and 3, and you know exactly how many stitches are supposed to be on each needle at any given time. No cords or loops to try to reconfigure.
Second, before I took on knitting a regular pair of socks with small needles and thin sock yarn, I also loved Staci’s pattern because it’s purpose is more to help the knitter gain experience in the basic functions of sock knitting – using larger needles and worsted weight yarn. This allowed me to see the stitches clearly and the parts that once gave me so much trouble, while following along in the videos, were navigated with ease.
Finally, in this whole multi-year experience to really grasp the fundamentals of sock knitting, I learned it requires practice and perseverance. I finished my first pair (as you see above), and I’m working on my second pair (in which I’ve already made some adjustments to the pattern by using a contrast color for heel and toe accents). With each of the three socks I’ve done so far (I’m working on the mate of the grey/yellow one), the technique becomes more clear, and the sections that were once complex for me are now feeling more natural.
Putting it all together
It’s the kitschy phrase we hear as children that rings so true: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” There are some things that I know I have the physical ability to do, and there are things I really want to do. Sock knitting is one of them. I knew that in order to knit socks, I had to keep trying, and even have a good cry now and then when something went terribly wrong. (You don’t even want me to go into the sock knitting mistakes I have made, though I’ve written about a few of them on this site.) Had I not made those mistakes, I wouldn’t have continued to learn until I became comfortable and knowledgeable enough to make the first pair on my own, and then I went right in to my second pair to continue practicing.
You may have no personal interest in knitting a pair of socks, but you may want to knit hats or sweaters. Whatever the more challenging project to which you aspire, the reality is we all make mistakes. The great news is that we always have the choice to either walk away defeated, or to keep going and learn along the way.
May all your knitting goals be reached in the New Year!
