What is the simplest way to knit a sock?

Question

What type of heel is really the easiest? Also, what is the fastest way to knit a sock, toe-up or top-down? Any advice would be GREAT! A source for online videos...even better!

BTW - I already know about www.knittinghelp.com, so new resources and personal ideas and knowledge would be wonderful!

Sorry, can't "call up my Mother". She passed away in June of 2000 from Breast Cancer.

Answer 1

I like doing top down. Only advantage I can see from doing it toe is up is you don't have to worry if you have enough yarn to finish the foot.

This site looks useful. Although this is the first time I've seen it.
http://www.az.com/~andrade/knit/socks.html

Answer 2

I prefer to knit toe-up, because then I get the hard part over with quicker. Also, then I can stop when I get to the ankle, or keep going to make a longer sock. I always knit socks in the round to avoid getting an uncomfortable seam line.

A great resource online is http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/advanced_techniques/

They have videos about turning the heel of the sock (not as difficult as some people make it out to be, in my opinion) and various techniques for knitting in the round.

Answer 3

You are probably going to hate me for this, but my answer is, in one sentence: It all depends.
I've made socks toe-up and socks top-down and I like both. I do not offer this as scientific proof, far from it in fact, but toe-ups tend to go faster for me, though I express a slight preference toward top-downs (for no reason). However, other factors come into play, such as the patterning of the sock, the amount of knitting I do, etc. If you are grafting/Kitchener phobic, you'll probably prefer to try toe-up. (however, if it is handling a tapestry needle you hate and you bind off tightly and do not want to try a new bind off technique, you may want to x that idea and brave the itty-bit of Kitchener at the toe of a top-down[alternatively, you can run the thread through the remainder of the stitches and gather them together as you might on a hat])On the other hand, if you don't much mind grafting/Kitchener stitch or picking up stitches/provisional casts on, but what really scares you is short rows, you might try the "peasant heel", either top down or toe up. The short row heel is something you get over with and don't have anything more to do with; the flap and gusset heel is slightly more involved because it extends over more of the sock. I'd personally advise you to try them all.

Answer 4

I still don't like knitting with a set of 4 needles after over 40 years of knitting so I adjusted sock patterns to be knitted on 2 needles. I knit the bottom of the foot first and then the top. All the shapings are included and the seams are knitted together on the way to eliminate seams.

Answer 5

I really think toe up is not as fast as top down. Personally I love worsted and size 6 dpns--5 inch ones. I use these as bedsocks and as gifts. I can make a pair for me in about 3 hours. Heel is personal preference I suppose. Brenda

Answer 6

toe - up is much easier.