Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I'm a lifelong knitter, but just took on socks earlier this year. I'm ready to try something challenging after becoming addicted to self patterning sock yarns with simple socks. A friend is making the Stephen West Popportunity Socks, and those look pretty interesting, but I'm open to ideas to add some zest to my sock needles.

Would you please suggest some patterns that are on the difficult end of the spectrum? In my non-sock projects, I like a good challenge. And I'm now ready to add challenge to my socks. What are your favorites?

Thank you for sharing!

Tiffany in Sandusky

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

Is there a way to identify hanks of yarn that are tangled and going to cause problems when I use my winder and swift?  I don't know how dyers wind the yarn into hanks but it seems I have the most problem with ones who are a smaller operation.  However, the latest one was from Manos Del Uruguay.  Also, do you have any suggestions for untangling them?  These troublesome ones can take up to an hour to attempt to pass the winder through the maze of twists.  

Any advice (perhaps videos you like on YouTube?) would be appreciated!

Gayle in Vale

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I'd like a small project to keep in my car. Something that is easy to pick back up after a week or more of ignoring it. Do you have an on-the-go project that you would recommend? A specific pattern please. Socks or single skein project of another sort.

With gratitude,

Carol in the Car

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Help a knitter out and leave your advice in the comments section below.  Have a question you'd like to see answered here?  Simply title an e-mail Ask the Knitters and send it on to [email protected] . Your question could be chosen for this series.

Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

Later this year will mark 50 years of me being a knitter. Knitting has brought so much to my life that I'd like to celebrate it in some way. Maybe like a birthday, but to me, even more important.

Can you imagine ideas for me to celebrate? Big or small, I'll take them all. 

Thank you!

Sarah in the Midwest

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

After reading Allison's last blog post, I'm learning that I'm missing out on lots of places I could be knitting. Right now, I knit a half hour a day, with many hours on weekends. So, knitters, how much time do you knit each day and how are ways that you have found more time to knit throughout the week?

Thanks!

Angie in Indy

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

Do you know of any knitting patterns for knee high socks that are appropriate for women with larger calves and longer legs?

I've tried for years to find one that fits my legs and have not been successful. I have a hard time finding knee high sock patterns that fit my legs as I have larger calves and longer legs.

The patterns that I see online when I search are mostly short socks that go up just about the ankle. I've never liked those and I've always preferred knee high socks.

Thank you very much for your time!

Deb in Des Moines

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

Can you please share with me your most awful knitting blunders? I recently picked up a shawl that I was 3/4 through knitting. It uses a chart, and I must have been watching TV too closely because I read the chart backward, and now I have to tear out. Lace.

Please share your worst (or the worst of a friend, even!) so I don't feel like such a buffoon.

Sincerely,

Jane, Perhaps the Worst Chart Reader Ever to Roam the Earth

 

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

It has recently been shared with me (by a bold and honest daughter in law) that my entire family does not enjoy the hand knitted socks I've been giving them. They don't wear them. Obviously, I don't want to waste my time knitting for those who don't use what I'm making. Rather than get down about about, I'm deciding if I want to find other projects they might actually like and use (I'm thinking not), or if there are organizations that might appreciate my talents.

Can you relate? Do you have advice on how I can turn this frown upside down?

Thank you, Knitters!

Debra in Dallas

 

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I’m looking for an organization that will accept donations of knit items including adult size socks and various baby items. Wondering if you know of any group that will take hand knits. Thanks for any ideas you might have,

Mary Jane in Ft. Wayne

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I've been spending more time out and about lately and I need a small project that I can tote with me where I go. Something small, and not too complicated. I was thinking about some socks in Opal, but could you suggest some other project ideas or patterns? I planned on simple socks, but I'd really enjoy looking up other project ideas too. I'd wager that I'll be needing small project for the next few months.

Thank you!

Dot in Mississippi

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

Can you tell me what you've been knitting on (or crocheting on) so far this year? I'm looking for some inspiration, I guess. Perhaps in scrappy socks or interesting techniques. Or it could be that your normal projects will pique my interest too.

It's been so cold and gloomy here in the Midwest the past month that I've been stuck around the house. I could use some color and pattern inspiration. And some connection too.

Many thanks!

Adelle in Anderson

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

Can you recommend a sock pattern for dummies?? One that is REALLY easy to follow without a teacher?? I've never made socks and I really want to learn! What better time than Socktober?!

Chrissy-the-Future-Sock-Knitter

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

Like a lot of you, I've been knitting more in the past year (I may take up crochet too). I have been knitting for years, but made my first pair of socks in 2020 (with yarn from the Simply Socks sale bin). I've seen a lot of cute "sock sets" lately with a full sized skein and a mini skein but I am just not too sure yet. I have a couple things holding me back.

1. Where do you start the mini-skein colors? When you start the heel flap? And when you start the decrease for the toes? (I'm knitting top down.) Is it just the flap that's the new color, or the decreasing part after the flap too?
2. Do you have a certain pattern you love that uses a "sock set"? Either one for socks or for a shawl or other accessory. I knit all sorts of things, so I'm interested in learning what you like. I'm on Ravelry, so those links would be nice.

Thank you for your advice!

Caroline in KY

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I knit a pair of socks and one ended up wider than the other. Why would this happen? 

Here are some details:

    I cast on 64 stitches and the correct number of stitches were on the needles all the time.

    I used the same needles.

    I used superwash merino/nylon yarn.

    The yarn was wound into a round ball.

I've knit socks before with no problem. I hope you can help me figure this out! Thank you,

Phyllis in Phoenix 

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I was wondering if you are aware of any charity that is looking for hand knit socks?  I love knitting them, and am at a point where I need to donate some if possible.

Thanks!

Jane

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I am new to knitting with DPNs. However, on my first project I found I liked it far more than knitting with standard needles or with circular needles (my least favorite). I also found I much preferred wood to steel tips. I very much liked the lightweight feel and how the project could stand up under their weight allowing me to see the shape of my project as I continued to work it. Now, I am interested in purchasing a lot of DPNs. I have some HiyaHiyas in several sizes, which are nice, but are too flexible for my taste. I also have a set of Crystal Palace, which I love. However, I was looking online and saw the Addi in different colors, which I think would be great for keeping track of where you are while working a project.

Given that my experimentation with DPNs has been limited, I am curious what people with experience would recommend for a knitter who likes using wood DPNs. What has been your experience and what has been your preference in this category?

 -  Jeanne the new DPN-er

 

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I friend showed me her brioche shawl last night, and I am head over heels for the squishiness and the texture of the fabric. I've been knitting a lot of fades and simple shawls lately, but have not yet given brioche a chance- it seemed troublesome and I like more comforting projects. Do you have suggestions for a simple brioche starter project? Or one that you loved making so much that you kept on going even though it was a bit confusing?

Do you have any other advice to pass on to me that might help me give this a real chance instead of a fleeting one? Any ideas or tips or tricks would be great.

Thanks ever so much!

-Beginning Briocher 

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

My son's school hosts fields trips to the workplace of every family in Kindergarten. Kids visit the workplace of the mom or dad, or the parent comes to the classroom for a presentation if the workplace is dangerous/too far away/not great for five year olds. So soon, my son's entire class will be coming to my yarn shop for a visit. Hi there, it's me, Allison!

Do you have any ideas for what would make a cool shop visit for little ones? Perhaps a particular yarny craft since we don't have time to teach everyone to knit in an hour? If so, which one? Showing them how we ship packages? I know there are many teachers and parents out there who support my shop and I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you think kids would love to see.

Thanks for your ideas! You always offer the best guidance.

-Working Mama

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I'm starting to knit sweaters for the first time in decades of knitting. I've been predominantly a baby gift knitter or sock knitter until now. I've knit one fingering weight sweater, but now that winter is looming, I'm pondering a sport weight sweater. I don't see much sport weight, hand dyed yarn in shops. I see more DK weight that I like. Can I use these interchangeably in garment knitting? Have you done so and with what results?

Can you also recommend a pattern that you found to be easy and flattering? I'm not petite.

Thank you to all the SSYC blog readers!

-Sporty-or-Not in Spokane

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Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I think I want to jump on the Find your Fade Shawl bandwagon. I have seen quite a lot of inspiration on Ravelry and Instagram and I've just about given into the craze. This pattern calls for several skeins of yarn and would be one of the more expensive accessory projects I have tackled, so I want to make sure I choose right.

Do "the knitters" think this pattern would be just as nice if choosing 7 skeins of yarn I like that don't necessarily graduate in color from one to the next? I have many skeins I really like together and can definitely find a few to fill the gaps at SSYC, but they don't go from one color story to another. They more-or-less jump from one variegated color to another. Do you get what I am explaining? If so, please put my mind at ease or tell me that I shouldn't do what I'm considering. I don't know a thing about color theory, but I just know what I like and don't want to start down a path that might, in the end, make me grimace at the wildness of it all.

Thanks for any assistance you knitters can provide!

- Fadeless in Charlotte

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Help a knitter out and leave your advice in the comments section below.  Have a question you'd like to see answered here?  Simply title an e-mail Ask the Knitters and send it on to [email protected] .  Your question could be chosen for this series.