Sewing, knitting, embroidery, easy and fashion blog

You dream of a nice warm pair of socks for this winter and you know how to knit? Two positive points to finally get you started.

The equipment

- 1 set of 5 KnitPro double-tipped needles or 3 mm circular needles

- 1 wool ball Balade from Cheval Blanc

- 1 simple socks model

The method

Knitting socks can be a little scary seen from afar, to start we knit in circles!

But don't worry, knitting in circles is not difficult, here is a video that could help you.

Traditionally, socks are started with the upper and lowered to the toes. Other models are presented in the other direction which can be not bad to try your sock at the same time as you knit.

Stem and foot are not difficult to knit. For the heel, there are many methods depending on the desired rendering. You ask me the best heel method, here is one (in English on ravelry).

The tip is the rewarding period of the sock: the final cuts! It asks to realize decreases according to the model, nothing complicated.

Knitting needles

The double-tipped needles are not very easy to handle at first, but after a first handling, it goes pretty fast.

With KnitPro circular needles , you will use the magic loop method. It is a simple method which, for my part, takes a little longer.

I advise you to take needles n°3. Tiny you tell me? But it is the ideal number for the socks, thicker than in the trade and thus quite warm but thin enough all the same to continue to enter in your shoes!

The wool

Which wool will you choose? This choice is not insignificant. If you're going to knit socks, they might as well keep your feet warm and last a long time, right?

The ideal wool should contain a majority of wool and a little polyamide. Polyamide will allow the sock to resist friction. We suggest you our favourite wool:

- The Balade from Cheval Blanc balls.

Among this wool, you will have the choice between many colors but also the ecological range! A yarn made from 100% recycled fibres: 70% wool, 20% polyamide and a mixture of 5% other fibres.

If you want to make original, lean for the two-tone , you'll never get tired of it.

The pattern

Now let's go, you'll see, knitting socks is a wonderful experience! But which model to choose?

Crucial choice because knitting socks can be a bit long, especially that you have to knit 2. You therefore need a model that will not tire you so that you remain motivated for the 2nd sock.

Even if a simple jersey model can attract you at first sight, I advise you rather to start with a relief stitch or with an easy cable stitch.

If you have a Ravelry account (the knitting facebook), otherwise I advise you to open one, it's easy and free (be careful the website is in English). Some easy patterns are available in French:

- Hermione's everyday socks

- Shtroumpfette's socks

- Pretty harbour (english)

Personally, I also really like these and their little cross motifs.

Have you decided? Then go for it. Warm socks for Christmas is a good gift idea, right? Do not hesitate to share your creations in wool socks Stroll on our Facebook page or Instagram #aetapatrons.

Whether you are a beginner or not knitting, the choice of knitting needles is paramount! And there is choice, from straight needles to circular needles through double pointed needles and all materials, we will try to guide you with all these needles variants and their uses.

Take stock on materials. Knitting needles, all kinds they can be can look as:

- Metal : It's the knitting needles matter that is most often found , especially in the grandmother knitting box ;). They are unbreakable but can writhe, heavier by diameter, emit a clicking knitting. Your work in progress can easily slide on metal knitting needles (not easy for beginners). The cheapest on the market! (find our metal needles here)

- Plastic (or acrylic) : Plastic or acrylic knitting needles are quite common in large numbers because lighter than metal. They tend to hang knit very well which can also be troublesome for beginners. By cons, they are silent.

- Bamboo and wood in general (rosewood, birch, etc.): Our favorite knitting needles! In bamboo, they are extremely lightweight, the knit slips a bit without hanging. Wooden needles are completely silent. We also provide birch wood needles (basix birch from KnitPro) and rosewood (Symphony from KnitPro), which are more resistant than bamboo needles and much more sweet!

Then we need to talk about the needles numbers, all needles have a number, it is engraved on the cap or the needle itself, this number indicates the needle diameter and matching (must match) to what is indicated on the ball of wool. The lower the number, the smaller the needle and the thread will be small and thus thin your knitting (and vice versa).

We now turn to the type of needle, there are several:

- Straight needles (1 tip): these are the most common knitting needles, which come in pairs. They may be 25 cm (see our KnitPro Basix instead of children) to 40 cm for longer, depending on the width of your knitting (but the stitches can be compressed).

- Double tip knitting needles: These knitting needles, straight too, are dedicated to knitting in the round. The double-pointed needles usually come in batches (4 or 5) for thin seamless tubes knitting, such as hats, socks, leggings, gloves and mittens.

- Circular knitting needles: Unfortunately unknown from beginners these needles are very convenient. Circular needles are designed, too, knitting in the round, but can very well be used for the "classic" flat knitting! So instead of buying one pair of straight needles + 1 circular needle from the same number, you can take only the circular needle. There has been a lot of development for this kind of needles in recent years. There are now two types of circular needles:

- Fixed circular needles: As their name implies, fixed circular needles are composed of two tips connected by a cable of a given length. The cable is more or less flexible (which can be annoying). They are less expensive than interchangeable, but you can not interchange the number of needles and the cable length.

- Interchangeable circular needles: it is essential to bring in when you start knitting seriously ;) ! Interchangeable knitting needles are used to create "a la carte" your needles, you buy the diameter tips you want and a cable to length, then you have just to make the connection with the small tool provided with (small wrench to tighten the needle or it may be unscrewed by knitting).

We offer the interchangeable Symphonie needles from KnitPro, they have a flexible cable and resistant rosewood ends, pretty and very pleasant to the touch.

As you can see, all these needles types have their utility. Each needle has its job in the knitting world, but if you start to practice seriously this rather addictive activity , a tip:
- invest in interchangeable circular needles, you can all knit with!

The only knit that can possibly resist to interchangeable circular needles, is the small round knit as the caps end, gloves and mittens, socks and gaiters. Fortunately, there is a technique to bypass, It's the method of Magic Loop which may require some dexterity at first but which is very useful!