How to knit socks for beginners – Winwick Mum Sockalong

 

The Winwick Mum Sockalong tutorials show beginners how to knit their first pair of socks using a simple cuff-down method.  You’ll learn what materials you need, how to construct the sock, and tips to avoid common mistakes.

Hello, and welcome to you if you’ve come to join the Sockalong to learn to knit socks!

I’ve been teaching people to knit socks for over a decade through my Sockalong tutorials.  Many knitters and crocheters – including designers – learnt to knit socks using this method, so you can too!  You’re going to love knitting socks!

 

Watch this video to find out why the Winwick Mum method is different!

The Winwick Mum Sockalong is designed for beginners who have always wanted to knit and wear their own socks. From choosing yarn and needles to creating a tension square for the perfect fit, you’ll learn how to knit socks step by step using a simple cuff-down heel flap method, with plenty of photos to guide you along the way.

If you’re already an experienced knitter and fancy joining in, it’ll be lovely to have you along – there are no restrictions or entry requirements here other than being able to knit and purl.  The rest of it I’ll show you as we go along.

You can join the Sockalong at any time.  There’s no rush and no time limit.  If you’ve never knitted socks before, follow the tutorials in order by clicking the titles below so that you have everything that you need to hand before you’re ready to cast on.  Don’t forget that you can ask questions whenever you need to, either through the blog or on social media.

The Winwick Mum Sockalong has been helping beginners learn to knit socks for many years and there have been over 23,700 of pairs of socks knitted using these tutorials (if you don’t believe me, have a look at this post for our fun Annual Sock Count) – and that’s just the pairs that I know about!

These online tutorials will always be free and will always be here for anyone to use.  If you’d prefer to learn from a book, there’s a paperback version of the tutorials called Super Socks  and if you like to use an ebook, you can buy Super Socks for Kindle, Super Socks for Kobo and Super Socks for Nook.

 

So, let’s get started straight away!  Download your pattern, begin at the first tutorial – and you’ll soon be wearing your very own pair of fabulous hand knitted socks!

 

Start by downloading your free Basic 4ply Socks pattern

 

Next, read through the “Getting Started” posts …

 

1  Choose your sock yarn

There are so many choices around, there’s bound to be one that suits you!  This tutorial will help you navigate the choices before you head to the internet rabbit hole!

 

2  Choose your needles

The Winwick Mum Sockalong tutorials are written for short circular, long circular (magic loop) and DPNs (double pointed needles) so you can choose whichever takes your fancy – and swap if you try one and don’t like it!  This tutorial talks you through the options.

You might also want to take a look at this blog post which talks you through the different size options for short circular needles …

 

3  Tension (gauge) and the Sock Stitch Calculation

Nobody wants to spend time working on a tension (gauge) square when there’s sock knitting to be done – but this tutorial will save you time and frustration as it will you to get the perfect fit for your socks.  Time well spent, I promise!

Here’s the video to go with this tutorial:

4  Sock knitting accessories and how to match stripes

You’re almost ready – just a few more things to add to your sock knitting tool kit, and most of them you probably have close to hand!  Also – for those of us who like our socks to match, there’s an extra section on how to get those colours exact!

Here’s the video to go with this tutorial:

 

If you’re using the Winwick Mum yarns, this tutorial is especially for matching those stripes.

If you would like video help, you can find that here at the beginning of this tutorial video.

 

5  Anatomy of a Sock

Are you ready to get started?  This is where we take a look at how a sock is put together ready to start knitting!

 

You’re all ready to go!  Let’s get started on your knitting your first pair of socks!

 

1  How to cast on your sock, and work the cuff and leg

Woohoo!  Your brand new sock is a-go!  This is the point where you become a sock knitter!

 

2  How to create the heel flap, heel turn and gusset

I love this part, it’s where the magic happens.  You’re going to feel like a sock superstar when you turn your heel!

 

3  Knitting the foot, decreasing for the toes and using Kitchener Stitch

We’ve almost finished and you’re about to complete your first sock!  Now that IS magic with pointy sticks!

And that’s it!

Your socks are finished, well done!  I hope you are super-proud of them!

 

 

If you would prefer to work from a book, Super Socks is the paperback and e-book version of the tutorials you have just used.  It’s exactly the same information, it contains the 4ply and 6ply patterns for the Basic Socks and the tutorials are set out by needle type rather than sock section.  Oh, and it’s a good big size so that you can prop it open with your brew!

Need some extra help?  If you’re a Facebook user, you can join the Winwick Mum Sockalong group – there’s plenty of opportunity to post pictures, ask questions and connect with other sock knitters.

If you want to check out some of the Sockalong Successes from when the tutorials first started (just to prove to yourself that you can be one of them!), click here!

 

Come and join the Sockalongers – we’re taking over the world one sock at a time!