It's up to you really. Most of the sock knitters I know use yarn that must be hand washed, but if your yarn says it's OK to dry in the machine, give it a go with a delicate cycle or with the socks in a pillow case. Where did you buy the yarn? If it's a dedicated yarn store rather than somewhere like Hobby Lobby or Joann's, you could ask them for advice. The staff in big box craft shops don't always know much about yarn.

Noodle; Thanks for replying so quickly. I'm not blessed enough to have a yarn shop anywhere near here. As a matter of fact I had to drive to Texas to pick this sock yarn up at JoAnn's. I'm sure that theirs is probably wool socks since most of the knitters live in the north where warmth is a major concern. I think just for quality and longer lasting I will avoid drying mine although it says washable and dryable on low.

IRo; That link for the custom calculator is also a link for beginning sock knitters. I wear an 8.5 but all of the patterns I've found always seem to be too small at the ball of the foot. I've been wishing to learn how to knit socks forever but no one near me knows how so I'm sorta on my own. I cannot wait to try this. I have sock yarn and needles so I will get started tonight. Thank you so much!

Okay, I finally just dove in and have started my very first pair of socks using the Bernat Sox yarn and the enclosed instructions. Wow, I am sooooo very blessed to have a friend with free sprint to sprint because I would not have made it this far without her countless hours of tutoring me through this over the phone. Then enclosed instructions are for very seasoned sock knitters and not newbies yet it's called "Simple". LOL

Life is certainly getting in the way of my knitting. I've returned to work full time following my knee surgeries and I'll tell you it sure has me exhausted. I wasn't back a day when I was approached to become management so I've had additional work training for this position which also includes more hours but a fantastic opportunity.

So how's everyone elses sock knitting coming along?

OK gang, I'm bumping this post up because once again it is that socking time of year - oh I know its hot out in many places (unless your unlucky like we are here in Ireland) but socks are small projects and easy to carry around. They are also good things to start towards the second half of Summer so you have them, when the first chilly nights hit.

While not good for "my very first knitting project" (that's where scarves, dishcloths and even hats come in) simple socks can be an easy next step. Easy Spiral Sock patterns, are a good first choice, with no heal to bother with; you can make nice socks with just knit and pearl stitches. You can make them as socks or full length stockings, they do tend to "slip" a bit more than socks with a heal, but I still make and use them.

You can find a good vintage pattern here: http://www.freevintageknitting.com/sock ... n-or-women

Hi Everybody! I found a bargain at the Mary Maxim online store. One of their own sock yarns (Aloe Sock) is on sale or clearance- a 230 yd ball for $1.97! It's 75% wool/ 25% nylon. First thing I noticed is that while it's all multi-color yarn, a couple of the colorways are dark and masculine looking. Good for gifts for conservative gentlemen!
Last year, I bought another brand they were selling "Sockenwolle" for $3.97 a 400 yd+ ball and I've been happily knitting away with it. Think I'm going to make up a small order and put some of this new sock yarn in the stash!

Those 75 wool/25 nylon yarns are great for socks, which are also OK when made of pure wool but tend to wear better with a bit of nylon in them. If you can't find this yarn, you can use polyester sewing thread in the heal and toe for longer wear (and less time spent darning). I've also recently discovered that an old way to hold up children's knee socks was to knit a double-length top, fold it over and sew down when sock is finished, leaving just enough space for a wide piece of elastic. This really does keep the socks up almost as good as a man's Scot's garter, and is less likely to break than the small strands of elastic I was using.

Never knitted and only a little crochet. I find that threads (especially), yarns, & fabrics just are not the quality they were a few years back.

I lost my job & house and am not in a slum apartment and have plenty of time. So I might do up some socks or whatever.