Hi everyone:
I’m doing the “class sock” from Charlene Schurch’s book Sensational Knitted Socks using the 4 dpn method. It’s a little confusing when renumbering the needles. Is making socks on 3 dpns easier? :shrug: This is the first sock I’ve knitted, so I’m a little lost at times. :?? I’d love to get your opinions on this.
Thanks! Hope you’re all having a great day!
I am far from a pro knitter, but when I do socks I divide my stitches btwn 3 needles and use the 4th to knit with. There is a website I found very helpful with the first pair I knit and have referred back to it a few times since then… <http://www.royea.net/sockdemo1.html>
Best of Luck
When I knit socks on dpns I always, always use 5 dpns. When you have the sock on the dpns you have less tension at the needle change if you have another dpn, lessening the chance of laddering. I’ve knit socks using 6 dpns because of this 
Now…I’m a tried and true 2 circ socknitter.
I use 3, never had ladder issues.
I prefer 4 + working needle. Keeps my head in a space where I can see what part of the sock I’m workin’ on… 
Plus, I find the 4+1 easier to manipulate in my hands, more flexibility.
misstialouise:
That’s why I like the 4 + working needle. I need to see the sock take shape. Maybe when I’ve been knitting socks a while, I can try another method. I’ve heard a lot about 2 circs, but that is WAY over my head and I don’t even want to try and wrap my head around that right now! :lol: I do have an issue at times with laddering, so that’s a concern as well!
Lucky you, moon ~ no ladders! How do you do it? :??
I always use 4… 3 to hold the sts and 1 to knit with… if I start using more dpns I find it more confusing… :teehee:
Is it possible to knit socks on one circular needle? Is the reason why because there are no circular needles out there small enough. The smallest is what, 12". Could you concievably make your own circ small enough to knit socks? I am just wondering. The less needles I have to knit with, the better. I am very new!
mrspotter…you can use the Magic Loop method…you can check out Amy’s video in the Advanced Technique tab on top (look for the small diameter knitting section). I also have a little book on Magic Loop that I picked up at my LYS.
Personally, I’ve just played around with it, haven’t made any socks using Magic Loop. I’ve just completed some socks with 2 circ and I really liked it!!
I knit pairs of socks at once on one long circular needle. It’s called the Magic Loop technique.
Amy has a video here.
Here are pics of my socks in progress:
And all of the pics can be viewed here.
That’s the coolest thing i’ve seen in a while. Wow, both at the same time? I’ve been sort of turned off by the magic loop method as I like DPN’s so much. But if you can make two socks at the same time, I think my opinion has changed.
:notworthy:
Edited to add: I adapted mine to Magic Loop from a pattern for 2 circs. I loved it because the extra circ was an extra thing to get tangled with the yarn, and I had absolutely no laddering. I got ladders with 2 circs because of the extra needle.
How do you adapt the pattern? :?? I think that would be too complicated for me right now. I’ve only finished one sample sock to get the practice, and now I’m on to my first real sock! Any method that would get rid of those darn ladders would be worth learning. Do you think it’s something a newbie could understand? How about patterns though ~ they aren’t written for that method, so how do you “convert” them? Maybe I just better stick to dpns. I like dpns except for laddering that sometimes happens. It absolutely drives me nuts! :wall:
It would depend on the pattern.
That was my 3rd pair of socks, and the second with that pattern. The first time I made the socks with the 2 circs, so I was already familiar with the pattern before I started adapting.
Since I can’t look at the pattern, I’d say stick with the instructions until you are a little more comfortable.
Thanks! I think I’ll stick to 5 dpns right now. I really like this method ~ it’s just the darn laddering I get sometimes that drives me nuts. I guess it’s just one of those things with dpns. :shrug:
I’ve had trouble with ladders too, susanc. If you pull a little tighter on the second stitch of each needle it will tighten them up a bit. Also, you might try dropping down a needle size. Another thing I’ve found is that the ladders tend to mellow after some time and use.
I learned how to knit socks from Silver’s amazing class so I learned on three DPNs–the fourth to knit.
Now I’m making the cancer bow socks from www.lloydknitting.com and because of the design, you have to divide the yarn between four DPNs. I’m wondering, for this kind of sock, can you use the magic loop method?
Thanks! :teehee:
I just use three for smaller diameter projects and four if there are going to be so many stitches that they get crouded on three needles.
Also, sometimes patters are written to use a certain number of DPN’s. Sometimes it’s just easiest to follow the pattern, regardless of whether you prefer 3 or 4.
I just use three for smaller diameter projects and four if there are going to be so many stitches that they get crouded on three needles.
Also, sometimes patters are written to use a certain number of DPN’s. Sometimes it’s just easiest to follow the pattern, regardless of whether you prefer 3 or 4.[/quote]
I agree. I guess you really have to be flexible when it comes to knitting. Nothing is written in stone! I find it’s really beneficial to be able to adapt to try different techniques. Knowlege is power! I’m making socks with 5 dpns right now, but I’ve seen patterns I want to make that use 4, so that’s what I’ll do! I like a challenge! :cheering: