Sock(s) discussion

Top down, definitely! When I do them toe-up, they never fit properly. I use DPNs, and it really does not matter if they are 4 or 5. Circular needles for socks? I feel as though I am knitting with spiders!

Kather> Just out of curiousity. . .

2 socks together on 2 circular needles (saves getting 2nd sock syndrome) and top down (easier to cast on stretchy than cast off) If it's got to be DPNs it's 4, otherwise you seem to spend all your item changing needles Love Christine

Either way, and 5 DPNs is definitely my favorite. I taught myself to knit socks on two circulars, got down to the top of the heel and went back to the good old DPs. Socks are always a portable project for me, so the less clutter the better. DA

" Christine in Kent, Garden of England"

Hi all, I've just gotten started on a pair of socks on two circulars. My first hand knitting experience with socks. The website from which I'm learning starts off with a pair child's socks, which I'd have no use for at the moment, so I'm having to work out the pattern for an adult size. It's a little tricky at first until you understand what's going on--well it might still be tricky as I'm only as far as the ribbing--but I prefer it to DPNs. I have a strawberry hat around here somewhere on DPN's which I found very hard to manage.

Stella, Thanks for the Save-on-Crafts website. Their books seem much less expensive than either Barnes and Noble or Amazon in many cases. I've ordered 3. Whoooohoooo. Posey

When ever possible I like to start with a figure 8 cast on and go toe up. They fit better and if you run out of yar, you can always make them shorter. I like either 4 or 5 needles. A lot depends on how you have to count your stitches, but five seems to work best for me. I look forward to learning to use two circs, but that takes away from the working toe up, and that is really my favorite.

Susan (Carey)

Noreen's Knit*che wrote:

Having never knit socks, my answer is only speculation. Considering that I hold my needles weird, I cannot use double-pointed or circular, so I would opt for *trying* a pattern for socks (and mittens for that matter) using two straight needles if I ever decide to try them. ;o)

Peace! Gemini

4DPN's cuff down.....cheers...Cher

Takes a bit of organising for the beginning, and you do have to remember to make sure you're using the right yarn for the correct sock, otherwise you end up walking very oddly since your socks are joined together. It's also worth doing the heel flaps one at a time in my opinion, just keeping a record of what you've done of course. Once you get used to moving the yarn to the right place ready for the next round it's quite straight forward. (please don't ask how I know how much of a muddle you can get into; you don't really want to know!!) Love Christine

It's also

I knit from the top down. I use either 4 or 5 needles - depending on how many of that size I can locate. Five is nice for adult socks but with kids, four is better. I don't make fancy socks- just plain pattern relying on the yarn to make them interesting. I love wearing hand knit socks.

I like using 4 Dps, and prefer cuff down. Marie and the cats

I'd always wondered why most sock patterns are top down, as it seemed more logical to do it top up, so you don't run out of yarn.

I haven't knitted any socks yet, although I do have some yarn.

Top down, on 5 short needles, and I love the Dutch heel with the slipped stitches in the heel flap.

Els

It ought to work the same way, only easier. It's still two shaped tubes, and mittens don't have a heel. Use waste yarn to hold the thumb stitches while you finish the hand, then knit the thumbs. Or use waste yarn to hold the larger part, do the thumbs, then do the larger part. Since the circular needles are flexible, you can try them on as you go.

=Tamar

Top down - always. DPN's - 4 needles. And I knit on both socks at once on

2 sets of needles - well - alternating from one to the other. That way - no second sock syndrome, and they match better.

Heh, heh - and when decreasing on the one side, I NEVER use SSK - always K1,S1, PSSO. SSK must have come from someone who just HAD to be different. ;>P

Shelagh MB

I never knew that was called a Dutch heel, Els!

Katherine