Beginner's sock

[snakeling]

I've got cotton yarn and needles and I'm ready to knit my first sock. Except that I'm kinda overwhelmed by the choice available, so could you recommend a good beginner's pattern?

I've only one circular needle, but on the other hand, I actually like double-pointed needles (actually I like them better :D).

Comments

[snakeling]

Oh, damn it, I hadn't thought of the elastic problem. Very good point.

Hmm, then I'll have to shelve the sock idea until I acquire more suitable yarn. *delves into yarn stash for something else to make*

[james]

Yeah, the first five or six pairs of socks I ever made were all 100% cotton, and while they feel really nice for the first five minutes I wear them, after that they're so loose they don't stay on. But I enjoyed making them, so I don't call them a total loss.

You could also make baby socks with the cotton yarn as a way to practice, and it won't matter so much about fit because the baby won't be walking around in them. (Of course, babies wriggle out of socks no matter what you make them out of, so you are free to say it isn't the yarn at all! ;-) )

Most of the sock patterns for beginners that I can think of are all in books. Wendy Johnson has some great learn-to-make-socks patterns, but I'd hate to suggest buying a book unless you know you're gonna love it.

[snakeling]

Loose socks drive me batty. I think I can find cotton-elastic yarn, though, so I'll look for that next time I'm at the yarn shop.

Good point about baby socks, especially as I have a new niece :D

Having not read the other comments...

[pinesandmaples]

Actually, a cotton-nylon-something blend would be best. I have a pair of socks made with Regia Cotton Top that have all the lovely properties of cotton socks (cool) with all the staying power of wool. Yarns like that are a nice medium.

People also seem to like Cascade Fixation (which also comes in a solid) as a cotton sock yarn that doesn't suck.