Christine over at Winwick Mum is starting a Sockalong on Sunday. It's aimed at beginners so the sock pattern is very easy, something which anyone who can knit and purl will be able to handle, so I would urge anyone who has ever wanted to knit their own socks to have a go. Christine will be on hand to answer any questions if you get stuck and she's even set up a Facebook group for everyone who's taking part to join if they want to. I don't actually use Facebook so I'll be sticking to the blog. This is a great opportunity to learn something new and have people on hand in case you get stuck, which I'm sure you won't as Christine explains everything so clearly.
There's a tab at the top of Christine's blog, Join The Sockalong, where all the Sockalong posts will be grouped together. Here you can find all the posts Christine's already written about the Sockalong including Sockalong - needles. I know that many people are put off sock knitting because of knitting in the round and using double pointed needles. If this is you, there are other options, go and have a read.
I can already knit socks but I'm still going to join in the Sockalong as I'm sure it will be fun to knit along with everyone else. I've already got my bits and pieces together and I'm now waiting for Sunday to come so that I can start.
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I've chosen some yarn I already had in my stash, I bought it nearly four years ago and wrote about it in my Knitting And Crochet post. This is from Wharfedale Woolworks.
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The yarn is in Neon Iris #1 colourway and is 75% British Bluefaced Leicester wool and 25% nylon.
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I just need to wind my yarn in to a ball and then I'm all set to go. Will you join me?
I'm also joining in, I'm quite looking forward to it, I've never knitted a pair of socks before x
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased you're joining in, it's a great opportunity for new sock knitters to give it a go. It's a nice, simple sock pattern so I'm sure you'll be fine. I'm looking forward to seeing what yarn everyone's chosen.
DeleteHappy sock making.
ReplyDeleteIt's a while since I've knit a pair of socks so I'm looking forward to starting on a new pair.
DeleteA lovely idea, I have been knitting socks for years too and they are the best socks ever, I have always done them on the round then last year I came across a book for doing them on the straight, then doing them on a loom and then some crochet socks I have had fun doing them all :-)
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea. It's good to think that maybe some new sock knitters will be born through this Sockalong. I love hand knitted socks, as you say, they're the best socks ever. I started off on two needles and then progressed to dpn's. I'd like to have a go on a short circular needle as some point in the future.
DeleteI only wear them, don't knit them. Have fun! Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing stopping you picking up some knitting needles and giving it a go. My grandma taught all her three boys to knit, my dad used to knit clothes for my dolls when I was little.
DeleteThank you so much for your fabulous write-up, Jo! I'm so pleased you're going to join in with the Sockalong and I love the colours of your yarn. As well as the Facebook group we've also got a Ravelry group up and running now so there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions there as well as on the blog. It's all exciting stuff and only a few days to go now ... :-) xx
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I think it's great that you're trying to get more people on the sock knitting bandwagon because it really is addictive once you know you can do it. I'm sure there'll be lots of new sock knitters once your Sockalong gets going and it's good that people can join in at any point. I'm hoping that Mick will lend me his hands tonight to hold my yarn whilst I wind it in to a ball and then I'll be all ready to go.
DeleteVery exciting!!! I look forward to seeing how you do. The yarn is beautiful and will make a lovely pair of socks I am sure!! xx
ReplyDeleteThe thing with patterned yarn is that you never know what pattern will emerge once you start knitting with it which makes it even more fun to use. I've had this yarn stashed for quite some time so it's about time that I use it up.
DeleteOOOoooooh, it is my goal to learn to knit socks. I may pop up to the LWS to see what sock yarn she has and buy a ball. Is one ball usually enough for a pair Jo????? Squeeling in excitement.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do join in. I'm quite a slow knitter and I've got a bit on at the moment so I might not keep up with it myself, but we can go at our own pace. Sock yarn tends to come in either 50g or 100g balls, you'll need about 100g so two balls if it's in 50g or one ball if it's in 100g. Make sure you buy sock yarn though, you'll need something with some nylon content to make the socks hard wearing.
DeleteYour yarn looks great, Jo. Your socks will be amazing! :o)
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely colour. I hope they'll be worth it, I've just spent the best part of an hour winding it in to a ball, Mick wasn't impressed having to stretch the yarn around his hands whilst I did the winding.
DeleteAs we've discussed before, I'd love to knit socks, so "if" I have time I may join in. What ply is your sock yarn and the needle size? I've got a set of four double pointed, but think they are probably about 10's, that I use on neckbands. Love the wool you are going to use. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI'd love you to join in but I know how busy you must be at the moment. Christine's going to leave all the posts up anyway so you'll be able to join in once you get more time. For this pattern I'm using something akin to 4ply and 2.5mm needles, I'm not sure what they convert to. I actually find a set of five double pointed needles are more handy for one point rather than four, though I use four for the most part of knitting the sock.
DeleteJo - love the colour you've chosen.
ReplyDeleteHope the 'sockalong' goes well - I will follow with interest.
I recently had a pair of socks given to me they had 'Grandma' knitted / woven into the side of each one ... I love them.
Happy Knitting.
All the best Jan
I love how hand made items can be personalised in this way. I don't think you can get any socks more snuggly than hand knitted ones, they're pure luxury.
DeleteI've never tried socks and would like to give it a go. I love the wool you have, will watch with interest xx
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if you joined in with the Sockalong. I've got my yarn wound in to a ball now so I'm all ready to go tomorrow, though I shall knit along at my own pace.
DeleteI can't knit anything, really, let alone socks, so I'll just watch and enjoy the progress. I'm sure your socks will be lovely. :)
ReplyDeleteYou could always try crocheting a pair, something I definitely wouldn't be able to do. I'm a much better knitter than crocheter.
DeleteI could crochet a pair..... I'm a better crocheter than knitter!
ReplyDeleteThere was a pattern in Simply Crochet for socks recently, no reason at all why you couldn't crochet a pair.
DeleteI'm having a go too! Never knitted socks before. Christine's instructions are very concise so hopefully my socks will turn out beautifully. I love your yarn, it'll be interesting to see the stripes it makes xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're joining in. I think there'll be many more sock knitters after this Sockalong, but beware, it becomes addictive, especially with all the gorgeous sock yarn around.
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