I’m also in the “likes knitting but is terrified of socks” category, do you have any tips on needle gauge, material, or patterns?
I like this Basic Sock pattern because this one works with both fingering/sock weight yarn, and has instructions for worsted weight as well.
So, if you have never knitted socks before, using a worsted weight is nice because they will knit up a lot faster.
If you don’t mind hand washing and laying flat to dry, Wool of the Andes is a nice, inexpensive wool, that knits up into a cozy pair of socks.
If you need to be able to wash and dry your socks in a machine, you’ll want superwash yarn. There’s a Wool of the Andes Superwash and a Swish Superwash. You will pay a little more for the superwash in the wool.
Another option is an acrylic yarn. There’s Brava which is really cheap, but not a terrible yarn. For your very first pair, this might be what I’d pick if you are really uncertain. But I will generally always prefer a wool.
And of course there is also a huge amount of fingering weight options available.
You can knit socks, two at a time, on a cable needle, but I personally prefer double pointed needles.
It’s personal preference whether you like metal, plastic, or wooden needles. I personally am in LOVE with bamboo needles.
Specifically the Caspian Needles from Knit Picks. But any DPNs you’re comfortable with will do!
For fingering/sock yarn you’ll want size 1 or 1 ½. And for worsted you’ll want size 3.
What often happens, when a person makes one sock, is that doing the second sock of the pair can feel like a slog, lol. To combat this, it’s usually suggested to knit both at the same time.
I will generally do the cuff up to the heel flap on one, then on the next. Then the heel flap on one, and the next. Then turn, then the foot, then the toe - working first one sock, then its twin.
Stitches You Need to Know
People are always so intimidated by socks, but the trick is to take it one stitch at a time. Don’t try and wrap your brain around the entire process, just follow each step of the instructions.
To knit a sock using the pattern I linked you’ll need to know
knit in the round on DPNs (not as tough as it seems!)
how to long tail or cable cast on
knit two together (and purl two together)
And that’s it. All very, very basic knitting stitches.
