How to knit socks: step by step instructions for beginners

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:35

Do you think knitting socks is very difficult and only experienced needlewomen can do it? In fact, this work consists of the simplest elements that anyone can master.

The most common knitting technique is the top down method. That is, you start at the top (cuff) and continue down to form the heel, then the foot, and finish with the toe. This is just one of many ways. Once you master it, a vast world of designs, techniques and structures opens up to you.

Yarn selection and loop calculation

Before knitting socks, you must choose a yarn. Its quantity depends on the type and size of the product that you want to receive. For women's socks of a standard size without complex patterns and weaves, you will need 300-400 grams of thread. In the presented photographs you see products knitted from thicker yarn. This makes it easier to clearly define the stages of work.

Most importantly, the number of stitches that will affect everything else in the knit is based on the calf circumference. Think about where you would like your toe to go to and measure it. If you want the new thing to fit snugly, reduce this number by 25%. For example: if the calf circumference is 10 inches (25 cm), subtract 25%. Wewe get 7.5 inches (19cm).

To convert this measurement into a meaningful number of loops, multiply it by the thickness of the yarn. For convenience, the resulting value can be reduced or increased so that it becomes a multiple of four. This is easy to understand with a simple example. The women's socks pictured were knitted with 7 stitches per inch and the leg circumference was 7.5 inches (19cm). We multiply 7, 5 by 7, and we get 52, 5. This number is rounded up to 52. That is how many loops you need to dial on the knitting needles.

How to knit socks for beginners: knitting cuff

In the process of knitting the first row, we evenly distribute the loops over four circular knitting needles: 13 for each. Continue in regular rib (knit one, purl one) down the leg, periodically trying on the cuffs until you decide that the length is sufficient.

Knit heels

The heel of the toe is a square-shaped flap that will cover the corresponding area of the leg. To knit it, you need to take half of the total number of loops (that is, from two knitting needles) and move it in the process to one knitting needle. For example, our sock contains 52 loops, so we need to separate 26.

Now we will knit this part of the product not in circular, but in straight rows - "back and forth", separately from everything else. Don't worry, we'll attach the heel to the rest of the sock later.

We will knit with a pattern that will give this part of the sock an extrastrength and almost ribbed texture. This is done as follows:

RS: slip 1 st without knitting, knit 1. Repeat to end of row.

Wrong Side: Purl all stitches.

Some prefer to slip the first stitch without knitting. It's up to you.

The rectangular heel flap is usually 5-6 cm long. An easier way to calculate is to simply knit as many rows as you have stitches on your needle. Remember this number, because we will need it later.

Now we need to form the curve of the heel. At the bottom of it, we will begin to reduce the length of the row. It's not difficult, and over time you'll find that you can "read" the loops and turn your heel without thinking. Now just knit according to the pattern.

RS: Slip off the first st, then knit to the middle of the row. Knit two loops together after the middle, and then reduce the row as follows: slip 1 loop, knit 1 and so on. After that, before reaching the end of the row, turn the work so that the wrong side is now facing you.

RS: slip first st, then purl 5 and purl 2 together. After that, knit another one, and then turn the work with the front side towards you again. You will notice that the number of loops has decreased and the heel is slightly rounded. Here's what we did: on the front side, we simply remove the loop without knitting, and knit the next one with the front one. On the opposite - we knit two together on the wrong side. It is important to do this in each row in sequence so that there are no bevels and slopes. On the last two rows, after decreasing, you will have no loops left.

Heel to toe connection

Now you need the heel to connect with the rest of the sock. This is easy to do by picking up and knitting stitches along each edge of the rectangle. To determine their number, simply count the number of rows in the patch and divide it in half. If you remember the number of stitches on the needle when forming the heel, then it will be even easier for you. For example: in our case, the heel flap consisted of 26 loops. Now we just cast on 13 stitches on each side.

Keep the work facing you. We collect and knit loops along the left edge of the flap. We work on lifting the sock, maintaining the original position on the knitting needle. Then, similarly, we collect and knit loops along the right edge of the heel.

By this point, you should have all four spokes engaged again.

Now that you have picked up all the stitches and spaced them evenly, you are ready to start knitting in the round again. Always start round in the center of the heel, then work in the instep and finish on the other side.

Sometimes the number of loops is reduced on both sides of the heel, knitting two together. Due to this, the sock will fit the foot more tightly. But you can leave the previous number of loops.

Knit foot and sock

Probably the easiest part. We will just knitcircle until there is about 5 cm left to the tip of the thumb. But all good things come to an end, even socks. Now it's time for the reductions so that the finger is comfortable, and the new thing has a more natural shape. This time we will decrease the number of stitches at the beginning of the row on each needle. You can alternate circles with and without reductions so that the rounding is smoother. All this is individual and depends on your preferences.

It remains only to close the resulting hole. This can be done using knitting needles or a regular darning needle. Now that you already have some experience, it won't be difficult.

According to the same instructions, you can knit socks of any size. So any wife can please her husband with a new thing. And the young mother will no longer have a question about how to knit baby socks.