Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Hello from a New Knitter!
Hello! This is my first post and I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Sarah and I just finished my very first knitting class at the Yarnery. It went so well, that I ended up working on my first ever pair of socks for the last few sessions. I don't have pictures right now, but will post them soon. They are a simple ribbed pattern using DPNs and I just started the decreases for the toe last night. I made a few mistakes along the way, but it's all part of the learning process, right? Anyway, I am enjoying seeing all of the wonderful socks that everyone here has made and am making plans already for my next pair. I am open to suggestions on a good "second pair" pattern so please let me know what your favorites are. Thanks!!
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4 comments:
Hey Sarah-- Welcome to the sock addiction!
I think a good baseline for sock knitting is a pattern that (forces you) requests a gauge swatch and measurement of the foot/body that you're knitting for. Nancy Lindberg's sock pattern is great for knitting any sock for any foot-- at any gauge. (It's a blue leaflet.) Others to look for is Lucy Neatby's "Cool Socks, Warm Feet" (Best sock advice ever! Her styles are not as flexible as C. Schurch, though.)
Charlene Schurch's "Sensational Knitted Socks" is probably the best fit of all. This is a book that will guide you through very simple to increasingly complex sock knitting, allow you to chose what method to knit them with-- what heel to choose, what pattern-- and what size.
You'll be knitting simply elegant socks in no time!
p.s.-- I highly recommend measuring around the ball of the foot WHILE STANDING for a good fit. :)
Welcome, Sarah!
I'm a big fan of the Interweave book Favorite Socks because it has a great variety of patterns, most of which I want to knit, which is rarely the case with knitting books.
I'm less of a fan of the Nancy Lindberg patterns than Debra. I recently taught a couple of friends to knit, and all three of us have found that her patterns for things that fit don't really lead to things that fit. Also, they seem to be hard for beginners to figure out, since I've had to provide a lot of interpretation and support.
I've heard Schurch's books are great although I've never tried them.
My personal favorite pattern is Railroad Rib Socks, purchased at the Yarnery. I think it's a Fiber Trends pattern. I go back to it over and over.
Finally, I'd recommend getting on the waiting list for Ravelry.com where you can see pictures and read notes about patterns and books by lots of knitters.
Happy sock knitting!
Hi Sarah,
I agree that "Sensational Knitted Socks" is a great book and you really should join www.ravelry.com because you'll get many good ideas there.
There are alot of resources for knitters on the internet. Try http://www.socknitters.com/ - they have some tutorials and a lot of information and patterns for sock knitters. They also have a Yahoo Group you can join - you can post questions to the group and it is fun to read the postings because you learn a lot about socks. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Socknitters/
Good luck - can't wait to see a photo of your socks.
Rebecca A
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