14 Things You Need To Get Started Knitting Socks

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I first became addicted to sock knitting about 10 years ago. At first it seemed kind of scary, but after you overcome the anxiety associated with casting on for your first pair, you will find that knitting socks is such a joyful experience and a gorgeous and comfy pair of socks is the best hand knit out there, in my opinion!

Here are the tools that I find invaluable in my sock knitting. You can buy them all at once, or gradually build your collection as you grow to love knitting socks!

1. Emergency Fix Keychain

The little end on this double-sided mini crochet hook is perfect for picking up those teeny tiny dropped stitches in your sock. Dropping stitches sucks, but it happens. (You can detach the keychain part using a pair of pliers if it annoys you).

2. Crayola Blunt Tip Scissors

The best thing about sock knitting is that it is so portable! You’ll want these blunt tipped scissors in your knitting bag so you never stab yourself when you are reaching in there. Bonus: the TSA lets you fly with this babies!

3. Digital Scale (the smaller the better!)

Why a scale you ask? Because sock yarn usually comes in one big 400+ yard ball, you need to make sure you use no more than half of it in your first sock or you will run out on the second sock = no fun! With the scale, you can weight the yarn ball every now and then while you are working on that first sock to keep an eye on it and make sure you never go below the halfway point. This is particularly useful if you are knitting toe-up socks because you can keep going on the cuff to make it as long as possible – if that’s your style.

4. Knit Socks!: 17 Classic Patterns for Cozy Feet

This is the book I used to learn how to knit socks. The Starter Stockinette sock is written for knitting a sock out of worsted weight yarn, which is a good place to start if you have (a) never knit a sock before and (b) never knit with fingering weight yarn before. A worsted weight sock is less of a time commitment than a fingering weight sock and they are super cozy! After you master the Starter Stockinette, I love the Classy Slip Up Socks for your first “fancy” pair of socks.

5. Umbrella Yarn Swift and Yarn Ball Winder

I’m a sucker for buying my sock yarn online, but sock yarn usually comes in hanks and not balls. You will need a swift and ball winder. No one wants to wind a 400+ yard skein by hand.

6. Wood Double Pointed Needles, Size 1.5

I love knitting socks on wooden dpns. They are light so they don’t create as many ladders and they aren’t as slippery as other materials so your stitches are less likely to slide off the needles. Size 1.5 (2.5mm) is the size I use most often for socks. I highly recommend buying more than one set because you will inevitably lose one and it’s nice to have a spare!

7. Pretty Snag Free Stitch Markers

You’ll want small snag-free stitch markers handy in case your pattern calls for them. I have these ones and they are well-made. Love buying stitch markers on etsy — there are so many cute ones! I have quite a large collection.

8. Heart Locking Stitch Markers

You’ll need a locking stitch marker to mark where the beginning of your round is. Why not get a super cute one??

9. Project Bag

You’ll want a super cute bag to keep your WIP in, right? I’m a big fan of the wedge style bags with the zippered top and a handle. They are available from lots of sellers on etsy.

10. Darning Egg

If you get a hole in your socks, you should try darning them. It’s not an easy task, but worth it to save the socks you worked so hard on. There are lots of tutorials on the internet about how to darn socks. Many will suggest using a lightbulb as your darning surface, but I think that is a crazy idea. Just buy a wooden darning egg and don’t risk it!

11. Online Class: Learn To Knit Original Cuff-Down Socks

I’m addicted to using Bluprint (formerly Craftsy) for picking up new knitting skills. Once you have a few pairs of socks under your belt, you will love this class by sock-knitter-extraordinaire Donna Druchunas. She covers different methods for making heels and toes and you can design your own custom-fit socks using any stitch pattern you like. Fun! (There is a toe-up version of this class as well, if that’s your thing.)

12. View Sizer

Smart knitters check their gauge. Just do it.

13. Embroidery/Tapestry Large Gold Eye Needles

This is my needle of choice for finishing my socks. It has a sharp point so if you use it for kitchener stitch be careful not to split the yarn as you graft. I like the sharp point precisely because it *does* split the yarn when I am weaving in my ends. Makes them much more secure.

AND… don’t forget the yarn!

14. Stroll Tonal Sock Yarn

This is my absolute favorite sock yarn! It is ever so slightly variegated so it’s interesting to knit with, but it will never pool or distract from your stitch pattern. When shopping for sock yarn, be sure to pick one that is made from superwash wool and I highly recommend getting one with a little nylon mixed in. This makes the yarn more heavy-duty and your socks are going to last a lot longer. (Repairing holes on the heels/soles of your socks is possible, but not at all fun!)