Sock Knitting & Why I Keep Making Mistakes: Improving My Process to Regain The Joy

One bind off that i use for all my socks that I love is the no flare stretchy bind off. Verypinkknits has a tutorial for it and i swear by it!

Love Molly!❤

Wise outlook. Thanks.

You need an inexpensive Rocketbook so you can take notes and upload them to your iPad. And, try on as you go. We all struggled in the beginning. Actually your socks look great!

For the sock flair issue… I just heard a tip to use elastic thread to tighten up the edge when maybe a neckline or edge is a bit looser than you want. I thought that was a clever post-production fix, maybe this helps someone.

Right now I am learning socks. I’m on my second sock. I love love that I’m not alone in mistakes when knitting socks. For some reason, the right and left aren’t matching. I have only used the sock yarn and I used 2 sets of needles knitting on one sock for cuff and leg and switching to other sock knitting the same length. My heel turns are the same on both but after it looks different. One sock is bigger. so I will try and figure my errors. I was set to toss them. I want to knit socks more and more. Thank you for discussing socks. I am enjoying your presentations and discussions so much. Thanks for your input too. I enjoy watching your channel. Thank you.

How do I there are new abbreviations which I don’t know what they are could someone out there help me I’m making a blanket and the abbreviation is SL1PWYIF & SL1PWYAD is it can anybody help me with this abbreviation steer knew I haven’t made it in a long time thank you

I made a decision to use a size 3 needle and Paton's Kroy yarn on a pattern requiring #2 needle and fingering yarn. i wanted a slightly heavier sock, so that was my intent. OMG. The result was a sock that would have been appropriate for the local elephant. The sock was huge! It didn't even look like a sock really. i ripped it out and used the #2 needle with fingering yarn......a lot of time wasted, but what a difference. I would not have thought that increasing needle size by 1 would make such a huge difference. Thanks for the video that reminded me of my own blunder.

Its still hot where i live in Michigan. I have done only a few rows of an the 14 color wrap form blue sky fibers. I cant bring myself to work on it because of the humidity. I feel like i never want to knit again but i keep buying patterns and yarn.

Wow Caleb, great tips. I think you are way too hard on yourself. Your socks look really good and you are so honest with your process, I’m very grateful. I love Dana Williams-Johnson who says something along the lines of “if you make a mistake, frog it, and start again”. You have just said the same thing accompanied by “follow the instructions”. If I had to learn two big knitting lessons then I think they are the ones. You have nailed it. Thanks heaps.

ok 11.26 is what made me hit subscribe. I'm a product knitter and it mucks things up for me too. Just knit the fabulous High Contrast Knit's Steriosomer socks and I just know they are too small for the person I promised them to. Impatience and being product-driven just got in my way

I love my knitting journals, I love practicing my printing or cursive. I love feeling the beautiful paper (also a fiber) and feeling the sunlight and storms which grew my knitting journal paper. I tape a snip of yarn on the page, maybe a photo. 60+ years of fiber beauty and creation for my kids when I pass.

I think Knit Companion would help you. It's in the play store. You can download your patterns and make all kinds of helpful notes. Watch Very Pink Knits Tutorials on it. It's very handy cor knitters and crochet

I’d love to see you make notes & basically “design” your perfect sock & bind off.

This is really helpful! I've knit maybe ... 8 pairs of socks? and some scarves, small cowls, a beret, etc. And I've kept a notebook which is bulging with yarn samples and notes - but I haven't taken good notes. I need to buckle down on that, too. Also, I got cocky after the first three pairs and started modifying or even just doing a plain vanilla pattern without looking at pro-designed patterns. Result: some pairs are too big and a couple of others are too small - one because I used CoBaSi yarn and that stuff doesn't act like wool yarn, and after maybe 40 wearings, they no longer have even the minimal stretch that they started out with. Stuff like that. Ironically, the second and third pair I knit fit pretty well - even the pair I didn't use a pattern for. Unfortunately, I didn't note what needle sizes I used on some of the earlier pair - anyway, good video. Thanks for the tips!

I love the video, but I found it funny, the part of "trust the pattern/designer". Because every single time I've tried to use patterns, I always somehow manage to pick the pattern that is full of errors or is missing/mixed up (for a different pattern or was accidentally a duplicate of another pattern, in terms of a book I used) pattern info, no matter whether it's a trusted designer, a free pattern, or a published pattern that made it past editors in a book, I always seem to get an eye for the pattern that turns out to be wrong in some way. To the point that I've just been making my own patterns. And for things like socks that I need at least a little guidance to, I use formulas like Jo Torr's toe up vanilla sock pattern on Ravelry. It's the only "pattern" I've used for the last 3 years and it has yet to go wrong, no matter what size yarn or needles I use. Then the bind off is up to my choice (usually the Russian lace bind off because I don't mind the flare of it after I realised actually finishing a pair of socks is the win, and no one can tell what bind off I used, or that it flares when not worn, when I'm wearing it)

You summarized so well the ups and downs being a knitter

I just stumbled across your channel. I lost my sock mojo early in 2021. I went up to DK weight and made my first two sweaters. I taught myself two color stranded color work and made a pair of mittens and matching hat, both lined, which I LOVE to wear in Minnesota. I discovered undyed wool at a fiber arts festival and taught myself fair isle and made a four color hat for my hubby. I recently cast on my first socks in nearly a year. Your video reminded me to trust the designer and the pattern, trust my knowledge of my own sock fit, and to allow myself to make mistakes and learn from them. Thank you!!! I’m looking forward to enjoying sock knitting again.

My first few socks fit perfectly- and then with the same yarn, same design and for the same size the last two came out a size too tight. It was frustrating to regress. Likely, I habitually tightened my stitches because I knew the yarn and the procedure

Best thing I purchased to keep my stuff close is an ottoman that is also a storage chest. Keeps needles and books close and in reach of my favorite spot to knit.

Based on the story you told about the fancy yarn for the You Better Work Socks, I think I might have cried at the finished product. I don't know enough to know if it's possible, but I think I would have called everyone I know and scoured the internet to figure how to rip it apart and redo it and adding in additional yarn. I'm sure that must have been very frustrating for you. I wish I'd picked up knitting again when I was still in Chicago. Sounds like there are a lot of great resources and support there. Not so much here in small town northern arizona. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Caleb for the great tips. Love your channel!

I actually stopped this video so I could write to you....you are hands down my absolute favorite knitting channel...I adore you're personality and kindness just emanates from you.....I am addicted to knitting vanilla socks,after watching tips and tricks from your guest panel on another video that you had made, where one guest suggested to make as many vanilla socks in order to become a stronger sock knitter....omg...this is soooo true....I was making stupid mistakes...a few extra stitches was and still is my problem!...its making me crazy!.....I'm on my 5th pair now and I am only off 4 sts...so I'm not so bothered , but still....why!?..ugh...anyway sorry if this is rambly....hello from Canada 🇨🇦!

I knit a lot of vanilla socks, for the most part I know that I need 72 stitches to fit my size 9 medium woman's foot. I do a heel flap and gusset. Cuff down socks and Kitchener the toe.

Thank you so much. I especially like your advice about taking my time through a project and enjoying the process rather than focusing on the end result.

I'm a rookie sock knitter too, Caleb. I feel ya. I've just completed my fourth pair. The way I look at this process is that each sock is a learning experience and a chance to practice and perfect techniques. If I end up with a usable pair of socks, I'm pretty happy. I expect that the first dozen pairs (maybe two dozen) will have their problems as I work out issues and fit... but eventually... WE WILL BECOME EXPERT. I've noticed a steady improvement in each pair, minus the more serious mistakes that needed to be ripped out. It's a meditation. Nothing is lost. All in all, I'm pleased with what I've learned so far. Looking forward to the next sock adventure and I hope you are too. Love your channel. Thanks for all you've shared!

Love your videos Caleb because you get to the heart of what knitting is all about. I recently discovered that knitting and crocheting dish towels is my zen because I can even do it while I am working when on conference calls etc. Socks used to be but they require more psychic energy than the dish towels. So my family has been receiving hand made dish towels and they are 1000% better than store bought.

Oh I love so much your podcast Caleb! I’ve experienced every single thing you said and it’s so great to know that we are not alone! Thank you for that, it’s so important, especially in these rough and stressful days! ♥️♥️♥️

You sound like me. Nothing is just fun and easy. I am a perfectionist so easy breezy fun knitting isn’t a thing in my life. That fact added to my “trust absolutely no one...ever” way of life, makes it hard to take advice. If you find a way to cure yourself of any of these afflictions... let me know 😂

And I love two at a time socks also

I do toe up . Made one pair of cuff down and don’t like it . They were baby socks . With toe up I try them on as I go so if they tight or loose I’m not done before I figure it out .

This is such a useful video, if only to know that I am not alone! I keep written notes in a ring binder, with the printed out pattern, that I can scribble to make changes, or just show myself where I am when knitting, but I also attach a length of yarn and the ball band of the yarn and where I bought it. You can't stick a piece of yarn to your i-pad...

We all make those mistakes. It’s a learning process. You knit beautifully.

Your set up should be: project , design er of pattern,needles used ,start date/ end date, ,and notes

Any Ann Budd book. You just plug in gauge and go. It’s how I learned, and I still use that book a lot.

I too need to write down the details of my knits. I always regret when I don’t take the time to do so. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for your honesty to the viewers as well as to yourself. Each pair of socks that you make will be better and better! Carry on smartly!

Great video 👌

I always make notes about new things i learn.
I take what i like about a pattern and add IT to my vanillasock. Cast on, cuff, length, heel, gusset, toe, stitchcount. Also what lace, cables, intarsia, rib does to my sock.

My sockbag has also all my tools i use. No scissors, i break the yarn of barehanded..

Thanks for sharing your thought process. I learned to knit socks following a set of tutorials from Denise at earthtones girl. I use magic loop or two circular needles. 🧶😊

I found that my happy place in knotting socks is toe up on 2 circs,16 inch, size 0. I used to knit using 00 or even a 000 needle. I love the fabric it creates. I typically make a Fish Lips Kiss Heel as I’ve found it fits my heel perfectly.

Heel flap and gusset...the only way to go!

Your so humble and honest about your mistakes. Thanks for sharing your mental struggle with knitting socks 🧦 which I am sure we have all had at one time or another. Take care, Judy

I made several terrible pair of socks until I figured out how to make them using my own custom pattern. I am a toe up two at a time sock knitter. I keep a knitting journal of all the things I make. You can easily make it digital. I also have a sock bag that goes with me. Keep on working it and you will be successful!

Thanks for sharing your challenges with sock knitting. I found value in the discussion around taking notes. I do take notes but I do not add enough to detail such as the type of cast off or cast on. I will be adding more info to my details. I do have a spiral knitting journal that I use to document my projects. I include a sample of the yarn and will be incorporating pictures of finished products as well - something I don’t do at this time.

Caleb check my socks on my Instagram @allcreaturesgr8and....that should get you there, I can never remember my full addy??

KnitCompanion is the app you are looking for. Watch Very Pink's series of videos on how to use the app with your knitting.

I've been working on some fancy cabled socks for a couple years because I keep screwing up. I've had to re-knit them four times now because I keep screwing up 🤷🤦

I felt this so close to my heart! so many times I have the same thoughts about patterns, "oh I know better, I can change this, I don't need to take this extra step" and I end up stressing myself out MORE. I'm learning to trust designers and trust myself to be able to follow a pattern as it was intended. We'll get better!