If someone wanted to get into knitting but all they were really interested in knitting (for now) is socks, what kinds/sizes of knitting needles would be the best to get? (I have already looked this topic up a bit but also wanted fiber arts tumblr and mutual suggestions.)
Also... is it even realistic to get into learning to knit with socks specifically? I just unfortunately don't really have any interest in knitting other things currently...
yes absolutely it is possible and ok to start with socks!!
most "sock yarn" is designed to be knit quite tightly, at like 7-8 stitches per inch. lots of new knitters knit pretty tightly at first, then loosen up over time, and even experienced knitters can have a gauge shift even day to day as stress and whatnot comes and goes.
probably good to try anything from 2.0-2.75mm and see if you like the fabric you are getting. generally speaking, the numbers on a yarn band are barely whispers of suggestions and have nothing to do with YOUR knitting. if you are not getting a fabric you like, go up a size to loosen and down a needle size to tighten the fabric. sometimes more than one size.
socks are generally constructed in the round, and the needle choices reflect that. if you can borrow in person, great. otherwise, maybe see which of the above options intuitively feels less fiddly and start there. I like magic loop, fwiw.
A step-by-step tutorial on knitting your first pair of socks. Grab our free Rye socks pattern and letās go!
How to Knit Socks ***This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored byĀ Knitterās Pride/Ā KnitPro*** See more KP products during āVicāsĀ Tipsā segm
Sock Knitting for Everybody! Todayās topic is all about how to knit sock heels: which sock heels are out there, and when to work which one?
Seconding that socks are something you can learn with HOWEVER... you will want to make swatches. I do not recommend picking up the needles with no experience, casting on, and expecting to get a wearable swatch.
If you have access to a knitting friend or family member, consider asking if you can borrow some larger needles. Some of my first socks were slipper socks in bulky yarn and hiking socks in worsted weight. You use all the same skills, but it's a smaller project. If you know that you're just going to be knitting socks, and will be buying your needles at full retail price, it's not worth buying a set of needles just for that. That said, you may well need to buy some extra needles at some point, because there's no guarantee that the first size you want will give you the tension you're looking for in your socks. (How big the stitches are, which is important even if you're doing your own math to make the socks, because it does affect how they wear as well as the size of the finished object).
As for what kind of needles you want, everyone has their own opinion. I'm a huge fan of double point needles (dpns), in sets of 5 (I learned with sets of 4, so I know what I'm talking about when I say 5's are better). But lots of people will use magic loop or short circulars. Whatever you get, you probably want metal, because it works best in small diameter needles.
