How to Knit Socks for Beginners With Straight Needles

Straight needles can be used to knit beginner socks.

Traditionally associated with double-pointed needles, making socks is often avoided by knitting novices. Tube socks, however, defy the need for circular knitting. Ideal for beginners, you don't have to worry about shaping the heel or working to a specific heel-to-toe length. Knit with chunky yarn and big needles for a quick project that can be used as a last-minute gift.

Things You'll Need

• 100g chunky-weight yarn
• U.S. size 1 1/8 mm straight knitting needles
• Tapestry needle

Instructions

1. Make a slipknot and place on the left-hand needle. Pull tight to secure.

2. Insert the tip of the right-hand needle into the loop of the slipknot, as if to knit. Take the yarn around the tip of the right-hand needle, from back to front, to create a new stitch. Draw the needle out and through the new loop. Allow the old loop to fall away.

3. Continue in this manner until you have 36 stitches on your needle.

4. Knit the first stitch of the row by inserting the tip of the right-hand needle into the stitch. Take the yarn around, from back to front, and draw the needle out and though the new loop. Allow the old stitch to slide off the needle and fall away.

5. Purl the second stitch of the row by moving the working yarn to the front of your needles. Insert the tip of the right-hand needle into the front of the stitch and wrap the yarn around. Draw the needle out an through the new stitch, allowing the old stitch to fall away.

6. Alternate between one knit stitch and one purl stitch to the end of the row. This is known as a one-by-one rib pattern.

7. Continue working the one-by-one rib pattern the finished length for the ankle, when you are ready to start knitting the heel and foot of the sock.

8. Work in garter stitch, knitting every stitch on every row, until you are ready to finish the sock. Hold the knitting against your foot to use as a rough guide for how long the sock needs to be.

9. Knit the first two stitches of the row together. To do this, insert the tip of the right-hand needle through the back loop of the new stitches, wrap the yarn around and draw the needle out and through the new stitch, allowing the old stitches to fall away. Continue knitting two together until you reach the end of the row.

10. Break off the yarn, leaving a long tail of approximately 36 inches and thread it through the tapestry needle. Draw the needle and yarn through the remaining stitches on the needle. Pull tight to secure.

11. Fold the sock in half, lengthways. Sew up by guiding the needle under and over the two sock edges to create a running stitch. When completed, break off any excess yarn.

12. Repeat the process to make the second sock.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a yarn that is naturally stretchy for making socks.

• For a different look, work the sock entirely in the one-by-one rib stitch.

References

• The Everything Knitting Book; Jane Eldershaw
• Knitting Patterns for Dummies; Kristi Porter
• Bev's Country Cottage: Bev's Really Quick Knit Socks
• Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design; Sharon Turner

Resources

• Knitty: Sox on 2 Stix