socks?

[alleusion]

So, I want to make some socks....when I finish some of the other things going. I have a few questions though....

1. Do I have to have sock yarn to make them? IE...does it have to be lace or fingering weight? Can I use DK / sport / worsted?

2. Does it have to be wool? I understand the breathability of wool yarn, but I'm having trouble finding an affordable ball of wool in colors that I like. I want to be able to just use something that strikes me, but everything I've found so far is acrylic or cotton.

3. Generally how much yarn does a pair of socks take? I don't want to finish a sock and realize I only bought enough for one.

[fibrenut]

Hiya Alle,
Welcome to the party!!
To answer your questions: Here ya go,
1. nope, yep!!
2. Nope!!
3. Depends on how big the ball, skein or hank is. But generally, one ball per sock is good place to start, Red heart super saver? Ya'll could knit sox for n army. As for needle size, on worsted use anything from 3-5's on skinnier yarn (sport or baby weight) use 1-3's.
What you can do is knit up one sock n weigh it (in oz. or grams) and then use that to let you know if you have enough to finish another one from your yarn.
Hope that helps ya hun!!!!!
Just one more teensy thing..... www.knitpicks.com has THE best prices on wools (comparable to acrylic prices actually) sssshhhhh, don't tell them that though LOL!!

[Jints]

You can do sox in any weight you want. Loads of patterns about for all sorts.
here listed by yarn weight.
http://www.socknitters.com/sockpatterns/weight.htm
here listed with needle size used.
http://www.dailyknitter.com/patterns.html
Cotton should be o.k. for sox, preferable to acrylic, but yes wool is best.
The specialty sock yarns are designed for extra durability, yes much more expensive, but are a lot harder wearing so you'll hopefully still be wearing them when the others in different yarns are long gone.

[alleusion]

Thanks both of you....another question. Can I used 2 circs instead of dpns? I've done socks on dpns and absolutely hated it. It's a huge reason as to why I haven't made socks since.

[Jints]

Yes. Silver has tutorials here on that and other methods. http://www.cometosilver.com/socks/
I'm the opposite, hate circulars but love dpn's.

[redwitch]

Most socks will take about 50 grams of wool (that's for each sock, so 100 grams for a pair) but of course that depends on how long you want them to be.

[knitncook]

Do you have to use sock yarn? Nah! You can make it out of bulky yarn on size 15 needles. It may not be as comfortable as fingering weight on size 1 or 2 needles, but you can make them out of any size yarn and needles. I do find that the finer my thread the nicer they wear. I probably wouldn't use over a sport weight for socks because after that the socks just feel "pebbley" on my feet. Don't be intimidated by those tiny needles!

You don't have to use wool. However, I would try to find something that does have a high natural fiber content. We are talking about something you are going to wear on your feet with shoes (usually) You want something that will wick away moisture and breathe. Stinky feet usually come from feet that can't breathe. When my dh was in the Navy he had to wear the "GI Boots" which just don't breathe. His feet always smelled SO bad. Now that he has been out of the military and able to wear other shoes than those hard waterproof (and air proof) boots, his feet don't stink (well, nearly as bad - they don't clear the room anymore! )

As far as yardage, that depends on the pattern. Most sock yarns are sold in either 215-220 yard or 410-440 yard skeins or hanks. It takes about 400 yards of fingering weight yarn to make your "average" sock. More if you want taller socks or have larger feet. I have petite feet so always have extra left over. Going to a worsted weight you would need less.

I second using Silver's tutorial to learn the basics and then you won't be as intimidated at making socks using finer yarn. You will all the lovely sock yarns that are out there!

[Doublereeder2]

Knitpicks has great sock yarn that is very well priced. (They also have their great Options in small sizes that are really comperable to the Addis for a much more economical price!)

I also buy Senso Crochet yarn from Hobby Lobby for socks. It comes in cotton blend, microfiber and a wool blend. Really inexpensive and good colors.

I learned on DPNS, quickly switched to circs and am now back to DPNS. Siler's tutorial is great..... Welcome to the addiction, er I mean sock knitting club!

[alleusion]

Sadly, I haven't yet found a Hobby Lobby in Canada. I went to one in Tennessee once and fell in love with it. I'm using Paton's Kroy sock yarn in a green, blue, teal, and yellow colorway. It wasn't expensive, it's weight isn't intimidating, and so far it's knitting up very nicely.

I'm also using Silver's toe up on 2 circs tutorial. I did a single sock on DPNs 2+ years ago and it was a nightmare, so I'm finding I like the circs alot better. Life is getting in the way of knitting, so I'm finding it slow going, but it will get done.

[losnana]

Thanks both of you....another question. Can I used 2 circs instead of dpns? I've done socks on dpns and absolutely hated it. It's a huge reason as to why I haven't made socks since.

You can also use the Magic Loop method.