Making your child’s clothing is an exciting but intimidating project. From sweaters to socks, not one of these is easy to make, especially when you are the one to make it. Particularly socks, with its unusual shape, it can be pretty tricky to knit it by yourself. If you want to learn to make one follow these easy steps on how to knit baby socks and by the end of this, you will have a good perception on the basics of knitting.
Steps in Knitting Baby Socks
If you’re determined to knit a sock for a baby, the following are the step by step instructions. Follow them carefully, and you’re sure to succeed with your project.
Materials to Use
The first thing you have to do on how to knit baby socks is to prepare your materials. The materials that will be used include:
- a pair of scissors
- 20 yards of worsted weight yarn
- a ruler or tape measure, a yarn needle
- and size-7 double-pointed needles (set of 4)
The Casting of the Yarn
To begin knitting, cast 20 stitches of yarn to one of your needles. Distribute the stitches unto three of your four needles. Next, side the stitches to the part of the needle, starting with the first cast-on stitch and slip in 7 stitches one at a time unto the other needle. Slip the next six stitches unto the third needle.
The next thing you do is slip the first catch on the stitch unto the needle having the last cast-on stitch. Slip the last stitch over your first stitch and unto the last needle. At this time, you can now slip a stitch holder unto the needle to put a mark on the end of the row.
Ribbing the Knit
Now, work in the knit one, purl it, and ribbing for four rounds. Use the 4th needle to work across your stitches on the other needle. After that needle is now empty, use it to work on the next needle, and so on. If you’re a beginner to using double-pointed needles, you might need to knit at a slower pace than usual. Once you have knit a number of rounds, you’ll have a feel to work with it and now begin to feel much more stable.
Knit the Leg
The next step in knowing how to knit baby socks is knitting the leg. It’s usually hard to knit this part, but what the stockinette stitch makes it easier for you to do this.
Knit the Heel Flap
Next, to make everything easier slip in the other ten stitches unto one needle and allow it to hang while you are working on the other stitches. On the first row, or the wrong side, slip in the first stitch purlwise using the yarn in front. Then, purl in the rest of the stitches. For the second row, slip in the first stitch purlwise using the yarn in back and knit the rest of your stitches.
Turn the Heel
This method is a common method for doing the cup. Your heel will sit in and wear the sock. This method utilizes short rows, turning the work and knitting it back over the stitches you have just worked without knitting across the whole row.
For the first row, slip in one, purl five, purl two together, purl one. Turn in the work, leaving in one stitch unworked.
For the second row, slip in one, knit three, and using SSK method, which means slip, slip, knit. Then, knit one. Turn the work and leave one stitch unworked.
For the third row, slip in one, purl four, purl two together. Turn the work, and there will be no unworked stitches.
For the fourth row, slip one, knit four, SSK. Now there are no unworked stitches, and six stitches will remain on the needle.
Pick up the stitches and divide them.
The gusset of the sock knits the leg stitches while the heel stitches it back together. The stitches must be easy to find, for they are slipped stitches along the heel’s edge. Use a new needle to knit across ten stitches of the leg you have left unworked as you made the heel flap.
Using the newly empty needle, pick up and knit about six stitches along the second side of the heel. Now use the newly empty needle, and you have to knit the three slipped stitches along with the first stitches you have picked up.
Work the Gusset
Now you’re almost done learning how to knit baby socks. The stitches from the leg are located on needle one, the other needle is needle two, and the needle you have just finished knitting is number 3. For the first row, you knit across your first needle. On your second needle knit one, use SSK, and knit it to the end of the needle. On the third needle, knit it within three stitches at the end of the row. Then, knit two together, and knit the final stitch. For the second row, just knit every stitch, repeat these rows until you have five stitches on each of the third and second needles.
Knit the Foot
In doing this, just knit every stitch in each round for an inch. This will make the foot a part of the sock.
Knit the Sock Toe
The last step in knowing how to knit a baby sock is knitting the sock toe. For the first row knit one, use SSK to the final three stitches, knit two together, knit one. On the second needle, knit one, SSK, and knit unto the end. On the third needle, knit the last three stitches, knit two together, and finally knit one. For the second row, just knit every stitch. For the third row, just repeat steps in the first row. Know more about baby socks.
Conclusion
Knitting can sometimes be really frustrating, especially to beginners, but with patience and perseverance to finish what you want to accomplish, everything is possible. Even knowing how to knit baby socks can be easy to accomplish, especially if you’re doing this for the little one you hold dearest.