How to Knit Ladies Wool Socks
Sometimes even experienced knitters will admit they have never tried to knit socks. It can seem daunting but actually knitting socks is fairly straightforward. The first time you knit a pair of socks just follow the instructions carefully even if you don't understand the reason for each step. You'll need a set of five double-pointed needles. Purchase washable wool so that taking care of your socks is easy. You can just throw them in the washing machine and they won't shrink. Use sock yarn, or sport-weight yarn to make thinner, more comfortable socks.
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Things You'll Need
- 100 grams of sock yarn or sport weight yarn, about 3.5 oz.
- Stitch marker
- 1 set of 5 double pointed needles, size US2
- Tape measure
- 2 tiny rubber bands
- Yarn needle
Instructions
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1
Cast on 54 stitches. Distribute the stitches evenly on 4 needles. Join in a round being careful not to twist the stitches. Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the row. Knit in knit 1, purl 1 or knit 2, purl 2 ribbing for one inch. Switch to the stockinette stitch, knitting every row until the sock leg measures five inches including the ribbing.
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2
Knit across 28 stitches and place them all on one needle. Twist a tiny rubber band on each end of the needle to prevent the stitches slipping off. This is the instep.
On the remaining 28 stitches:
Row 1: slip one stitch with yarn in front. Purl across the row. Turn your work.
Row 2: slip 1 stitch, knit 1 all across the remaining stitches. Turn your work.
Repeat these two rows until you have completed 28 total rows on the heel flap.
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3
Turn the Heel
If you have never done this before, the simplest thing is to just knit each row as described without trying to understand it. You will be knitting short rows creating the rounded part of the heel. Just do it, don't think about it. At the end, it will make sense.
Slip 1, purl 14, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn your work. You'll be ignoring a few stitches that haven't been knitted yet. You'll pick them up gradually as you finish the heel.
Slip 1, knit 3, slip two stitches, one at a time, and knit them together (SSK), knit 1, turn your work.
Slip 1, purl 4, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn your work.
Slip 1, knit 5, SSK, knit 1, turn your work.
Slip 1, purl 6, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn your work.
Slip 1, knit 7, SSK, knit 1, turn your work.
Slip 1, purl 8, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn your work.
Slip 1, knit 9, SSK, knit 1, turn again.
Slip 1, purl 10, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn again.
Slip 1, knit 11, SSK, knit 1, turn your work.
Slip 1, purl 12, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn your work.
Slip 1, knit 13, SSK, knit 1, turn your work.
At this point, you should have 16 stitches on your needle. If you don't have 16 stitches, rip out this part of the sock, back to the last 28-stitch row on the heel flap. Wool is forgiving and you will be able to pick up the 28 stitches and start again.
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4
Using the needle holding the heel stitches, pick up and knit 18 stitches along the side of the heel flap, pick up one extra stitch between the heel flap and the instep needle, place a marker on the needle and knit across 14 stitches on the instep needle.
With another needle, knit the remaining 14 instep stitches. Place a marker on the needle. Pick up a stitch between the instep and heel flap stitches, pick up and knit 18 stitches on the side of the heel flap, and knit 8 stitches of the heel.
At this point you should have 41 stitches on each needle.
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5
Shape the gusset:
Row One: On the first needle, knit to 3 stitches before the marker. Knit 2 together, knit 1, slip the marker, knit across the remaining stitches on this needle. On the second needle, knit across to the marker, slip the marker, knit one stitch, SSK and then knit the remaining stitches on the needle.
Row Two
Knit all the stitches on both needles, slipping the marker when you come to it.
Repeat these two rows until there are 28 stitches left on each needle. Slip half the stitches of each needle on to a new needle, so that you have 4 needles with 14 stitches each. Slip the markers each time you come to them to keep them in place.
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6
Knit all rows until the sole of the foot is two inches shorter than your desired length. Then begin the decreases for the toe.
Row One: Knit to 3 sts before first marker, knit 2 together, knit 1. Slip the marker, knit 1, SSK, knit to 3 sts before second marker, knit 2 together, knit 1. Slip marker, knit 1, SSK, knit to end of round.
Row Two: Knit all stitches, slipping the markers when you come to them.
Repeat these two rows until 16 stitches remain.
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7
Redistribute the stitches on two needles, 8 stitches for the top of the foot, 8 stitches for the bottom of the foot. Then you can either graft the remaining stitches, if you know how, or continue decreasing until only 4 stitches remain on each needle. Cut the yarn, leaving about an 8 inch tail. Pull the yarn through all eight stitches. Take them off the needles, pull the yarn tight to close the hole at the tip, and tie a knot. Trim the yarn to two inches and use the yarn needle to weave the end through the sock to hide it.
Repeat all the instructions to make a second sock.
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Tips & Warnings
Knit your first pair of socks for yourself so you don't have the pressure of someone else's expectations. Use yarn that feels good to the touch and looks pretty. If you want some color and texture, use yarn that has been dyed in several different colors. As you knit, the colors will make stripes, blotches and squiggles.
This sock pattern fits a woman's size medium. If your feet are larger or smaller, figure out how many stitches to cast on for your size by knitting a swatch. Cast on 30 stitches and knit 30 rows with the yarn and needles you plan to use to make your socks. Measure the number of stitches per inch. This is your gauge. Multiply the number of inches around your leg just above the ankles times your gauge. Round the number up or down to a number divisible by four. Cast on this many stitches, join them in a round and begin knitting. When you get to the heel, knit the heel flap across half the stitches, as many rows as you have stitches on that needle. Follow the instructions for turning the heel, knitting back and forth and picking up one stitch each row until you have knitted across all the stitches on the heel flap. Follow the instructions for the remainder of the sock.
References
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