Sometimes the hardest part of a project is getting started…

I remember so clearly when I first learned to knit socks, that casting on was actually the trickiest part of the process. The stitches were so small, and the needles were EVERYWHERE, like an out of control hedgehog! Getting going was what slowed me down the most.

On the other hand, from the moment I knitted my first sock, I was hooked. According to my Ravelry account I have knitted 57 pairs, and I’m certain there were pairs knitted before that. There is just something very pleasing about a small project that contains some technique, but not too much! Timed correctly, a sock is perfection for knit-night, or just about anywhere… not that I’m going anywhere much at the moment. You can just knit round and round until the next bit of interest. The only challenge is making sure that your sock isn’t at a point that requires some concentration. And in the event that it is – why you can just cast on for your next pair!

One of the other great appeals of sock knitting is the ease of curating (tongue firmly in cheek there!) a beautiful collection of future sock potential. Yes, I’m talking about sock yarn stash. Unlike with sweaters or shawls, you always know what you will need with socks. For almost all foot sizes, 100g of 4ply sock yarn is plenty to knit a pair. So it’s simplicity itself to pick up a Zauberball, a couple of skeins of Socks Yeah! 4ply, or skein of hand-dyed and know exactly what you’re going to do with it. If you prefer sport or DK weight socks, then 150g should do you nicely.

If you are new to making socks, or just fancy seeing how I get started, I’ve recorded another Little Lesson video tutorial. This shows how I do a long-tail cast on, onto a single double-pointed needle. I then distribute the stitches across my other double-pointed needles, before joining in the round. I tend to use four DPNs, plus a fifth to knit onto. But there are many, many other ways to knit small circumferences. This is simply how I usually get going on socks.

You can find the video tutorial on YouTube here: Little Lessons: Long-Tail Cast On for DPNs

As you can see from the photo up top, I’ve not yet got very far with my Flowed socks – mostly because I’m still working on the glorious secret project! I’m hoping to find some quality knitting time over the weekend however, because these socks are fun! They come from Hunter Hammersen’s lovely Shoreland sock pattern collection, and use a clever combination of cables and slipped stitches on a stocking stitch background. Very soothing knitting!

We’ve set up a special collection of some of our favourite sock yarns, individual patterns and sock books to get you going with our Stepping Out KAL! To help you expand your sock horizons, we’re offering 15% off everything in that collection, from now until the end of June 2020, when you spend £40.00 or more (on products from that collection). Use the code STEPPINGOUT at the checkout, or you can follow this link to apply the discount automatically to your cart.