Expert Tips for Knitting Socks - Tips and Tricks from the Experts!

Sock knitting teachers and designers ‪@heyBrownBerry‬ , ‪@EarthtonesgirlPodcast‬ , ‪@summerleedesignco.6471‬ , and Makers Knitting share their favorite tips for socks! If you want to be a better sock knitter, these tips will help on that journey.
---- Denise - EarthtonesGirl ( / earthtonesgirl )
KZbin Channel: / @earthtonesgirlpodcast
No Fear Sock Knitting Class: • No Fear Sock Knitting:...
Patterns and other information available on earthtonesgirl.com/ and www.ravelry.com/designers/den...
---- Matt Akers - Makers Knitting ( / makers_knitting )
KZbin Channel: / @makersknitting137
Patterns available at www.ravelry.com/designers/mat...
---- Marce - heybrownberry ( / heybrownberry )
KZbin Channel: / brownberry75
Toe Up Socks Cast On Tutorial: • Toe Up Socks Cast On T...
Patterns and other products available at www.ravelry.com/designers/mar... and www.etsy.com/shop/heybrownberry
---- Summer - Summer Lee Design Co. ( / summer.lee.knits )
KZbin Channel: / @summerleedesignco.6471
How to Knit Socks in Magic Loop: • How to Knit Socks Magi...
Patterns and other information available at summerleedesignco.com and www.ravelry.com/patterns/sour...

[@alannahwray8984]

I'm 4 months late to the party, but I'll drop down my tip anyway! Don't feel like you need to stick to one size in the pattern for your whole sock! My years of marching band and living in the mountains have left me with MASSIVE calves and itty bitty feet. No one size sock ever fits me like it should, so I usually end up having to knit the smallest size for the foot and increase as the leg goes up to a larger size for the leg! Or start the largest size and decrease down, depending on if it's cuff down or toe up. I try to hide my increases and decreases in the back or on the sides so the front of the sock looks seamless and can show off whatever pretty pattern is going on!

[@Andrea-di9ju]

The best tip I got before I started knitting socks was to knit my first pair in worsted weight with a pattern for that weight yarn. It made it easier to use a slightly larger needle and to see what I was doing on the heel and toe.

[@DrowninginYarn]

That's a great tip! It's a bit less scary when it goes so fast! Haha.

[@dostagirl9551]

I purchased a beginner pattern from Very Pink Knits that taught using worsted weight yarn (also included sock weight once you were ready). Loved it because it came with instructional videos for each part.

[@heyBrownBerry]

Caleb, you're a STAR and you draw great people to you and then ripple that goodness out to the community. Thank you!! These are GREAT tips for beginners and sock pros alike!

[@DrowninginYarn]

Oh, Marce! Thank you so much! And thank you for being in the video! 💚

[@EarthtonesgirlPodcast]

AMAZING VIDEO Caleb!!!!! Thank you so much for having me on your channel! I had such a great time recording my sock knitting tip and I am so proud to be a part of this video!!! Happy Sock Knitting!!!

[@DrowninginYarn]

Thank you so much, Denise! Thank you sooo much for being a part of this video :-)

[@kvopera]

Your ladder tip has saved my socks from being a Home Depot!( Full of ladders). Thank you!!

[@carolynhp1319]

My sock knitting tip is to keep trying new techniques. My first pair of socks was top-down with a heel flap and gusset with a wedge toe on dpns, but I’ve since tried toe-up, short row heels, afterthought heels, round toes, star toes, magic loop, 9” circulars, etc, etc. All of those experiments resulted in wearable socks and they really helped me find my best fitting socks combined with the most satisfying knitting experience.

[@IchStrickeGerne]

So what is your favorite method for sock knitting? I found that magic-loop is the most comfortable for me but it’s AWFUL for color work (at least, so far - I’m only just doing my first color work socks).

[@phf3238]

I agree with Marce. Toe up is the way to go. Most patterns can be reverse engineered.

[@ingeleonora-denouden6222]

thank you, Caleb, for making me acquainted with some sock knitting vloggers I did not yet know

[@sarahmatthews2737]

This is the best tips video for knitting socks I’ve ever seen! I was struggling with ladders until I saw this and knitting through the back loop on the first round after picking up the gusset stitches is brilliant! Thank you!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@3Dhyana]

I, an inexperienced knitter. I knit one thing I didn’t know how to knit before. Then I become drunk with power and my second project is more complex and us always a disaster. Making a vanilla sock over and over until I’m comfortable with it. Great! That solves a big knitting problem, delusions of grandeur!

[@sophiecharlotte3043]

I‘m only on my third pair, so I‘m definitely still a beginner but my tips would be to choose a yarn that you really enjoy working with and to try out 9 inch circulars if you don‘t like dpns

[@kaliboo6881]

yesssss!!!! toe up sock advice!!! thought I was the only one who knits from the toe, up!!!! YYYYAAAAAYYY!!!

[@camilledemars6488]

As someone who is currently working on my very first socks (a test pair for a pair I'm making as a Christmas present) this was super helpful! I didn't know the term ladder, much less how to fix it, but it's definitely present in my test socks. :/ I'm so glad to know how to prevent them next time!

[@lindachandler2293]

Socks are my favorite thing to knit 💕

[@adinawatson8544]

My tips are, knit a pair in worsted or dk weight to see the construction and progress easier, use lifelines for at least the first pair, and use smooth needles

[@quil10it]

This was a great episode! Thanks

[@Lianeta]

im a beginner and honestly my tip is to do both socks at the same time XDD i can never bring my self up to start the second one right after i finish the first because i have to do this all over again !!

[@kvopera]

Denise's tip about avoiding ladders totally works!!!

[@DG-kp6hm]

It does. It's a well known Magic Loop trick.

[@patticlaude1]

All good tips from people ive been following! Cool

[@terrioxford2237]

Loved this bringing in experts to give their tips. Denise has helped me SO much, and nice to get introduced to other sock knitters Thanks for doing this, Caleb! 🧶🧦♥️

[@suetupper9162]

Omg!...I am working on my second pair of sock that I have ever made...awesome awesome Tips!..thank you so much!

[@gemmaf_]

Some great tips! I would add that as you start making alterations to patterns (more rows in the leg or a different decrease for the toes etc) or try a new technique, leave yourself really thorough notes. This helps with knowing what you're doing for the second sock, but also in the future when you've worn your socks a bit and maybe aren't 100% happy with fit and want to try something slightly different for your next pair. If you don't know what you did before, it's much harder to change it.

[@DrowninginYarn]

This is an EXCELLENT point and I know Denise keeps great notes on her sock explorations! I need to do this as well! Thanks for the reminder :-)

[@gemmaf_]

@@DrowninginYarn I'm terrible. I always think I'll remember what I did. I never do 🤦‍♀️ I'm getting better. Using an actual notebook helps me instead of something online.

[@judygrayson7896]

So nice that they came to your channel to give these great tips! I will be starting my 4th vanilla sock and always learning. Thanks great video. Judy

[@DrowninginYarn]

That's awesome, Judy! I hope you are enjoying sock knitting!

[@susiewhite9154]

I loved this episode! It’s always great to learn a new technique to put in our ‘knitting toolbox’.Thanks Caleb for your effort in planning new podcast episodes. I just happened to be knitting socks as I was listening😉🧶🧦

[@sandyvanburen]

Loved your tip at the end, about doing the afterthought heel bf the toe. I do that! It really works!! Best tip I've ever tried on preventing ladders when working on dpn (I don't like circular) is to insert your working needle into the first stitch from BELOW the previous needle instead of from the top. Approaching that first stitch from below, really prevents the existing stitch from stretching too much, thus preventing a ladder. Also, on dpn, make sure to not stretch out the last stitch on each needle. It's very easily done but a little bit of extra attention there will really help prevent laddering.

[@1preciouswoman]

Thanks so much to all of you for these tips!

[@annickgillet165]

hello and a big thank you for this precious video which brings together important points to manage. I'm still a fan of top down version socks because I offer my socks to people whose exact size I don't always know, this method allows me to make alterations if necessary. I suggest the Finchley graft to finish the end of the socks. it is made on the reverse side, it gives a prettier shape and the gesture is very easy. Thank you Google Translate.

[@Knithappenswithpam]

This was so helpful. Thank you.

[@joycestewart4893]

I've watched Marce from Brownberry over and over and I learn something every time. Thanks Caleb! Love your channel too!

[@demiannad]

❤️ loved Matt's tip for the heel flap and gusset. Definitely going to try out the kmitting in back loop for the twisted picked up stitch..

[@nextyearsgirl]

Wow, I learned so much from this video, thank you! I'm about 9 months into my knitting journey and working on my first sweater as we speak (Towns by Ozetta). Just subscribed!

[@jandearlivinglife4433]

So glad I seen this video.. this was so awesome to watch! Thank you for this!!!

[@forttud]

Thank you for curating this excellent collection of expert tips!

[@bobbijoeisenreich3647]

I absolutely love this collaborative video. A treasure trove of info/references. Thank you!

[@andreamagill7034]

Thanks for putting these sock tips together 😊

[@katespin99]

Caleb, loved this video with tips from some of my favorite people. Such excellent advice.

[@joycem3159]

Great video Caleb thanks so much.

[@lizziejohns]

Yes! Toe-up all the way.

[@candeeharris7509]

Thank you and your guests for this episode. I just love sock knitting 🧶 and these tips willl certainly help.

[@tinas8460]

Thank you for bringing these experts together for giving these super helpful tricks 🙏🏻😘

[@sharonvanpelt6005]

Thank you for this podcast. I really want to be a sock knitter and have only completed one pair (thank you @EarthtonesGirl for her no fear sock knitting tutorials) and I really like the tip about knitting multiple vanilla socks to work on tensión etc. Actually loved all the tips.

[@p_broom426]

Great tips from all, I like your tip on doing the afterthought heel before finishing the foot.

[@jennycarver1206]

This is a great channel for new knitters!

[@americanmade1701]

Great toe up tips!!!! LOVE Summers shirt, Dolly Parton is awesome!!!

[@annebarnet2178]

Thanks for coordinating so much concise info in just 12 min.! Almost done with my first-ever sock and I'm really enjoying sock knitting.

[@oppositeofh8]

wow, this was really inspiring &, of course, helpful. thanks, caleb & friends -- it's so good to know y'all're just a click away with all the information i may need, if i get stuck or (which is the actual case) am afraid to even get started on a sock.

[@beverlywatkins7833]

This is my first time to watch your videos and I really enjoyed it, very informative 😍

[@ursulamanwiller5630]

I so enjoyed these tips. Wonderful.

[@DrowninginYarn]

Glad you enjoyed it! :-)

[@justinkollock1685]

Love all of the great tips!! Thanks for pulling this amazing group of knitters and designers together to share ❤️🧶🧦

[@DrowninginYarn]

Thanks for coming to watch, Justin!!! I'm happy you enjoyed it :-) I can't believe how lucky I am to have these amazing makers in one of my videos.

[@JacqueDooley]

Awesome video, I’m love knitting socks. But I’m only on my second pair, all top down. I’m anxious to try toe up. I appreciate these tips. Perfect. Thank you so much. This is a beautiful gift to sock knitter beginners. Merry Christmas to me!!

[@KnockoutNiki]

This is so great!!

[@DrowninginYarn]

Thank you :-)

[@mistyblue5312]

This was fun. Great to see these lovely people sharing their tips. I experiment a 100 different ways - sock construction (flat feet, high arches, skinny ankles, extra WWW foot, etc) chasing after the perfect fit. Pleasantly surprised to find that Matt and I pick up and knit the heel/gussets the same way. Kudos to you Caleb. Keep it going......💐💐

[@debbieperea95]

This great. I’m trying to feel comfortable knitting socks🧦 👍🏻🧶🧡🧡

[@The-Vintage-Needlecrafter]

Great tips! Thank you. I have found that the easiest way for socks is the toe up, two at a time. I won't go back to obe at a time now. No more second sock syndrome.😊💕🧶🧦

[@intheyellowcorner]

Ooh thank you for the tips and four new people to follow! ❤

[@DrowninginYarn]

I"m glad you enjoyed the video and found some inspiring makers that are new to you!

[@katedavy6272]

My first time here. Glad I came. What great ideas! Not too sure I will try toe up, tho. At my age I'm not to keen to change after knitting all these socks for all these years...I'm 71 now. But I love all the other tips!

[@marycase5473]

Thanks Caleb! Terrific montage of some terrific sock knitters and teachers! It really hit the spot for me!💜🧶

[@DrowninginYarn]

Oh, I'm glad you liked it! :-)

[@freakygeak]

I've heard one or two names before but never seen links before I'll check each one out thanks for sharing 👍😄👍

[@DrowninginYarn]

No problem! I'm glad you found some new makers to inspire you :-)

[@Sophira1]

I am knitting my first sock ever as I watch. goodness me I have tinked multiple times and using lifelines like there is no tomorrow. I have a habit of knitting 2 sts together without realising it until further down the track. Such tiny stitches! However I am having so much fun! Thanks for these tips from you and your friends Caleb. I need all the help I can get!

[@pamelajenkins7053]

Your videos are great! Thank you so much for making them. I would like to see how you knit your afterthought/forethought heel. Maybe you could make a video demonstrating your technique. Thanks so much!

[@lesliesantiago1423]

Great video!!!! Making socks is my favorite skill ever!!!!! I too a class about 20 years ago at my LYS!

[@DrowninginYarn]

That is awesome! I love to knit socks as well!

[@micheledelacruz4301]

Thank you for sharing this very helpful video. Wonderful! Have a nice Easter weekend.

[@DrowninginYarn]

I'm glad you found the video to be helpful!

[@kathybretl5280]

Thank you, Caleb!!!

[@DrowninginYarn]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@Susan-jf6bs]

Haven’t knitted socks in awhile. Thanks for the inspiration! Once again another meaningful Caleb podcast! 🧶👏🏻💕

[@DrowninginYarn]

Oh, I'm so happy you got some inspiration from it! Thank you for coming to watch! It means so much!

[@lsdev4229]

Thanks Caleb, great video and tips! Starting my xmas sock making, great timing!😁,Sharon 🥰

[@DrowninginYarn]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video!!!

[@andreabritz4572]

What a great video. Thank you. I will try Matt’s suggestion to knit the first round after picking up gusset increases.

[@DrowninginYarn]

Glad it was helpful! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@britdowson8324]

I love knitting toe up or cuff down socks. Thanks

[@DrowninginYarn]

Same! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kathykelly2148]

What ain informative and delightful podcast. Great guests and the host is great. Thank you.

[@DrowninginYarn]

I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you :-)

[@vectra9880]

Thanx for sharing. I did use Denise's videos when I was deciding which method to knit socks. Might try the toe up soon

[@DrowninginYarn]

I'm happy you came to watch! Thank you! And yes... definitely try toe-up! I like both top down and toe up and it's great to switch it up sometimes. You might find toe-up is your new favorite!

[@Amb-tastic]

Matt's tips are helping me as I am literally knitting a heel flap and gusset while watching. Love this, Caleb!

[@DrowninginYarn]

Oh that's awesome! I'm glad you found it helpful and enjoyed it!

[@carolhartlage6905]

Thanks for the great tips♥️

[@DrowninginYarn]

You are so welcome!

[@CarolinaStein]

Thank you so much for the tips! Until today, I’ve just knitted one pair of socks, but I have plans on knitting a lot more! I love to learn more about the different construction methods and designs, these tips will for sure give me a much better time doing it 🥰❤️

[@DrowninginYarn]

I'm glad you liked the video and found it helpful! The best thing to do is try a few different methods if one isn't your jam. And then do that method you like until it's second nature!

[@MissJudyBad]

thanks for your hard work! I really appreciate this channel after a hard week.

[@DrowninginYarn]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy it 💚😊

[@julia_riya]

So inspiring! My tip is if you have 30+ inch cable and you knit toe-up using magic loop, you can knit two socks at a time using two threads, just take the second one from the inside of your skein (I'm not sure if it really is a tip, but for me it was soo helpful). Advantages: 1. You don't have to count and check if your socks are equal, they will always be. 2. You can use up all the yarn in the skein. 3. You get all the work done at once and don't feel you don't want to knit the second sock. Thank you all for the tips, they really increase the quality of knitting. Good luck with your projects!

[@jkat3911]

How exactly I don t know how to do that

[@lesliesantiago1423]

I have never done them toe up! I also have never used anything but double-pointed needles. I would love to learn on circulars!!!

[@DrowninginYarn]

You should check out Marce's patterns for a toe-up socks! And Summer has great tutorials on using circulars for magic loop.... I included links in the description. I love trying new sock knitting techniques.

[@kathryngardener1930]

I tried circular once and went back to dpn.

[@alyssehennessey1837]

How do we get Summer to make more podcasts? I love her first episodes. 💖💖💖👍🏼

[@JustWhitneyMarie]

This is amazingggg!!!

[@JustWhitneyMarie]

All these tips were so helpful!

[@DrowninginYarn]

I'm so happy you liked it, Whitney! And I'm even more happy you are now a full on sock knitter :-)

[@JustWhitneyMarie]

@@DrowninginYarn yessss I have to finish my first pair, and I’ve got some summer lee designs in my queue 😍😍😍

[@joannapaluch5393]

I really appreciate all the tips. Now, onto deciding which needles are the best for sock knitting 🤔😉

[@DrowninginYarn]

I''m glad you liked it! And choosing needles is definitely a whole thing. I am a magic loop or dpn person for sure! The tiny circulars are definitely great... if you don't have big hands like me. Haha. Maybe I'll do a comparison video one day.

[@barbmckinlay3400]

I always fight with the gusset. Can’t wait to try these tips.

[@DrowninginYarn]

The best part about socks for me is that they go in your shoes... so even if they aren't perfect, it doesn't matter. Just keep going until you get comfortable! You can't go wrong with a sock as long as it fits on your foot :-)

[@katinaskreations4825]

Thank you so much for your last tip! I typically knit socks cuff down and have always struggled with when to start the toe, even with a sock ruler. So I just completed a pair of toe up socks, and I managed to make them too long! Hahaha.

[@DrowninginYarn]

You are so welcome! I hope it works for you if you are knitting afterthought or forethought heel socks! Definitely check out the patterns by these designers though and see if they have any tips in them that could help you!

[@DG-kp6hm]

With toe ups, you try them on as you go, so it ends perfectly every time! HTH.

[@sunnyw4148]

I have knit numerous top down socks. I never really liked the fit of toe up socks. Well until I knitted a Hey Brown berry/Marce pattern. Wonderful to see so many sock makers sharing on your channel. My advise is when in doubt, jump it!

[@DrowninginYarn]

Great advice! Thank you so much for coming to watch!

[@peepers4763]

Knit to to fit socks ❤️

[@Enig_Mata]

Thanks for the tips. I was wondering if it makes sense to use Matt's tips on knitting through back loop on sweaters.

[@DrowninginYarn]

I wouldn't do that... depending on where the stitches are they might be more noticeable... On the heel flap and gusset, the twisted stitches aren't going to be noticeable and that's part of why it's such a great solution.

[@Enig_Mata]

@@DrowninginYarn Thanks for the quick response.

[@lesliesantiago1423]

I have only used only two patterns ever. Beginner socks by knitting pure and simple, and one from the Regia yarn sleeve!

[@DrowninginYarn]

Well hopefully you find something new to try from one of these amazing designers :-)

[@lesliesantiago1423]

@@DrowninginYarn yes I plan to!!!

[@alanptaylor11]

Denise says to put the new needle above the cable when knitting the first stitch. In your other sock video you recommend putting the needle below to knit and above to purl (which is what I do). I tried both ways on the socks I'm currently knitting but I can't see a difference, maybe because I'm using 2mm needles and it's just too small to make much difference. I'll have to try it with thicker yarn and larger needles and see what I like. Just wondering if ANYONE ELSE out there has words of wisdom on this topic.

[@juliecoffey4161]

❤️❤️❤️Marce.

[@DrowninginYarn]

She is so awesome!

[@suetupper9162]

New to sock knitting...scared!

[@nannynae10]

I have not heard of vanilla socks before. What are they?

[@The1952trouble]

What pattern is simple fir first timer at socks and I can knit in worsted weight for practice? Thanks in advance.

[@celestedouville2529]

Summer Lee - where can I get that awesome t-shirt?

[@dianem3136]

Love watching your videos! You make me feel like I could knit anything ! I’m about to begin socks for the first time and I’m really excited about the project. However, I’m confused. The sock pattern I have lists the sizes as s,m & l. How do I figure out what real sizes are in those ranges? Is there a chart I’m missing? Thanks in advance for your help!

[@DrowninginYarn]

Hmmm. Your pattern should list the actual circumference for the finished fabric so you can make an informed choice… if it doesn’t, I might suggest a different pattern as your first one. Summer Lee had an amazing free sock pattern you could look at and Earthtones Girl has some great patterns and a free sock course on KZbin.

[@dianem3136]

Thank you so much! Again, thanks for your great videos!

[@pppetra]

Toe up socks..can not get Them to fit. I knit a 64 st sock cuff down. Heelflap over 32 stitches 38 rows deep picking up 23 stitches on Both sides. Tried a bunch of toe up socks..gave them all away no matter what heel and alterations i knit. If you have a really large/deep heel toe up may not be the wat to go. My socktip.. make a lot of good notes. Needles, yarn, alterations, rows for the foot. (I know now that my toe go to sockyarn needs 45 needles of foot for me and 68 for my husband. Also 2 common brands neer 50 and 48 needles for me and 74 and 72 rows for my husband.. i knit out socks till the start of the foot and then only check for fit once.)

[@DG-kp6hm]

Actually, the advantage to Toe Up is to try them on as you go, several times if needed! This way, they'll fit every time. However, since I have a rather large hi-instep, I also knit 3 before I got a good fit. Unless your foot is 'special' like mine. I have tried several patterns myself. It's hard if your foot is wide also. But, trying them on allows you to adjust as you go - thus they fit better. The heels will all fit well once you find the one type that fits you bet. Most can be knit either way. HTH

[@pppetra]

@@DG-kp6hm i knit up over a dozen pairs.. trying them on. Finetuning them . But i remain a cuffdown, heelflap, gusset knitted, those for perfectly.

[@sandimichaels2324]

Another person for insight is The Crazy Sock Lady on KZbin. give her a whirl.

[@louisecarter6619]

I want to knit socks but scared of it

[@joieashley1951]

Happy Easter I love you I want you on Instagram to bless you and yours miss Joey

[@mike20451]

Where's the Crazy sock lady? ☹