Silver’s Sock Classes
Silver’s original sock tutorials, formerly at www.cometosilver.com/socks.
before you begin…
please read this entire page
These tutorials are intended for new knitters who are adventurous enough to try knitting socks. The instructions are written to help the new knitter understand what is involved with each step. These are not your typical knitting instructions. Each step is detailed, and all abbreviations are explained for you.
Socks can be intimidating for the new knitter, but they are not as hard as they look. Many newbies have tried these tutorials, and successfully knitted socks, when previously, they had only knitted scarves!
Your only prerequisite is that you must already know how to cast on, knit and purl. Everything else is explained with photos!
Have fun!
-KristinBelle
Questions, comments? Photos of your finished socks? e-mail me
What Size?
The socks made from these tutorials are sized for the average adult foot, male or female, and will fit a very wide range of feet. Later in the tutorials, you will be instructed to measure the length of the intended foot. This is where you will customize the length of the sock for a perfect fit. Socks stretch nicely, and thus unless you have exceptionally sized feet, fit should not be an issue... with the following exceptions:
- If your foot is very narrow or small, you should knit on a needle size or two smaller for a tighter fit around your foot. Optional: Use a K1 P1 ribbing for tighter elasticity.
- If your legs/ankles are large, cast on using a larger needle for more elasticity around the cuff. Switch back to the recommended size after the first round, or further down the leg for a more roomy cuff. Optional: Rib for 2 inches, then knit straight stockinette for the rest of the leg/cuff for more room in the leg area.
Please remember, these are not knitting patterns. Instead, they are lessons on how to knit socks. In the end, you will have learned the basics on how to knit a sock from start to finish. Please do not ask me to supply you with directions for other sizes or styles of socks. If you're looking to knit a specific size or kind of sock, perhaps you can find a pattern elsewhere and use the lesson here to help you knit them.
Gauge?
Anyone who knows me, knows that I will tell you to CHECK YOUR GAUGE before beginning any project where size is important! Well size is important for socks, but why is there no gauge listed for these tutorials? Because these are tutorials, not patterns. There are several different types of yarn, and several different needle sizes to use so gauge will vary.
Use the recommended gauge for the yarn you're using as a guideline. Meaning, look at your yarn label and use the needle size suggested. But remember that socks should be a bit tighter than the gauge for something like a sweater. Socks need to hug your feet. Go down a needle size if you're in doubt.
And remember, your main objective is to learn how to knit socks, not to make a perfect pair for the intended feet. Once you are finished, you may have socks you can wear, but you will know how to knit a sock. Then there is no stopping us, and we will take over the world with sock knitters! 😉
The Tutorials
One Sock
On four double pointed needles
Difficulty - Easy - If you've never knit socks before, try this one first!
Two Socks
On one long circular needle
Difficulty - Moderate - For experienced sock knitters, or adventurous newbies!
One Sock
On two circular needles
Difficulty - Moderate - For experienced sock knitters, or adventurous newbies!
PDF coming soon
These tutorials are 100% free, but if you find them helpful, please consider leaving a tip. Thank you!
tutorial Copyright Info
My tutorials, in part and in whole, are copyright protected. They are intended to be free for the good of the knitting community. You may not reproduce them in any form, electronic or print, except for personal, private use, or when used to teach others how to knit socks for free. You may not make a profit off any part of these tutorials. Please report misuse here.
However, you can take your finished knitted socks and sell them if you so wish. You may write a pattern based on these socks, and embellish it to make your own pattern, so long as no part of my tutorial exists in your pattern. The socks produced using these tutorials are made from standard sock-making techniques which are considered to be in the public domain, including construction, number of stitches, and needle and yarn info.
Make socks and be happy!