Friday 14 June 2013

Giveaway + Socks Any Way You Like Them!

Socks are a great summer project because they are small and portable, and they can be simple or complex depending on the type of sock project you use. However you like to make socks, we have the right tools for you - below are some tips, techniques and tools to help you explore new ways of sock-making this summer!

Toe-up
Getting started is often the trickiest part to making toe-up socks, but once you master the technique, there's no end to the creative socks you can make! Many knitters prefer this method because they can just keep knitting until they run out of yarn. If you are having trouble getting started, click here to view a video tutorial demonstrating Judy's Magic Cast-On from the talented designer Cat Bordhi's YouTube Channel.

Top Down
A stretchy cast-on is necessary to start your top-down socks off right. There are many, many types of cast-ons that would work well, so you'll want to experiment to find which one works best for your style of knitting. Click here to see a video demonstration of the Channel Island Cast-On from Sockupied on the Knitting Daily blog if you need help getting started!
Cubics Double-Pointed Needles
Socks on DPNs
Many knitters prefer to knit in the round with DPNs; we have several needle styles to suit every DPN enthusiast! For the serious sock knitter, we recommend our Nova Sock Set (for those who prefer metal needles) or our color-coded Dreamz Sock Set (for those who prefer wooden needles). You'll also want to keep your stitches on the needles with our handy DPN tubes, which are especially great for on-the-go sock knitters!

Karbonz Fixed Circular Needles 
Magic Loop Socks
If you've ever been knitting while you're out an about and dropped one of your DPNs, only to have it roll away and never be found again, you may want to give magic loop knitting a try! You'll need a circular needle with a nice, long cord (80cm or 100cm is ideal); Stitch Diva Studios has a great tutorial video here on their website to get you started!

Two-at-a-Time Socks
Once you master the Magic Loop technique, you can use it to knit both pair of socks at the same time! It's a little tricky to get started, but here is an excellent tutorial with step-by-step instructions over on the Knit and Tonic blog.

Crochet
Two-At-A-Time Socks
Socks aren't just for knitters - there are plenty of great crochet patterns out there, too! Our steel crochet hooks come in smaller sizes which are just right for fingering-weight sock yarns. If you're new to crocheting socks, here are eight expert tips from the editor of Crochet Me to make your feet happy!

Steel Crochet Hook With Soft Feel Handle

This Month's Giveaway

How do YOU like to make socks? This month, one lucky blog reader will get choose their prize from one of four needle options:
To be eligible, simply leave a comment on this blog post telling us your favourite way to make socks and which of the four prizes listed above you'd like to win. You'll also want to give us your email address or Ravelry ID so that we can contact you if you win! 

We'll randomly select our winner to announce on our next blog post later this month! 



59 comments:

  1. I've only made 3 pairs of socks, and all of them have been top-down, but I really want to learn toe-up some time. I have a feeling that'll be my favourite.

    I'd like to win the Symfonie Fixed Circular needles, and my ravelry id is Ziltoidia.

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  2. I like to knit using the magic loop Socks technique. I really want to try the two-a-time technique so the sock can be finished at the same time.

    I would like to win the Symfonie DPN as i do not have any in my stash. My email is norfaeza.abuzarin@gmail.com and my ravelry account is faeza

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  4. I've knitted one pair of toe-up and one pair of top-down. I think the top-down were easier, but I liked the toe-up better! Both were on dpns.

    I would be thrilled to win the Symfonie fixed circular. Thanks for the chance:-) My email is chels580 at yahoo dot com.

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  5. I've only knit socks from the cuff down on DPNs. I really want to make my next pair from the toe up. I also want to learn how to knit two at a time on circulars, but I'm a little intimidated. (Ha!) I think I would love to try your Symphonie DPNs if I'm the lucky winner!
    Ariesandewe on Ravelry

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  6. I knit all my socks TAAT.
    I'd like the Symfonie Fixed Circular if I win.
    Rav ID: pokdej

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  7. I like to knit my socks top down with DPNs, but I'd love to start working with the magic loop technique. I would love the symphony fixed circulars. Supkaa on ravelry

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  8. I knit socks two at a time, toe up, using two circular needles. I do an afterthought heel. I would love to try the Cubics fixed circulars.

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  9. Toe up, magic loop, that's my way to knit socks. I would love to try the cubics fixed circulars.

    Happy knitting!

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  10. I'm bisoxual! I knit top-down and toe up, and choose dpn's or magic loop depending on the pattern. I always magic loop colorwork socks, non colorwork
    socks I prefer on dpn's.

    I already have a lot of sock needles, but I'd really love to try out the cubics dpn's!

    Contact me on ravelry - I'm ColorBlox.

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  11. I learned with the magic loop method, but I prefer short DPNs. However, now that I have the basics mastered, maybe I should try magic loop again.

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  12. I love making my socks toe up using the magic loop method. I would love to give the cubics fixed circulars a go.
    rgoriginals on Ravelry.

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  13. I LOVE TO KNIT TOE UP SOCKS ON CIRCULARS AND WOULD LOVE TO TRY CUBICS FIXED CIRCULARS.
    RAVELRY ID , syeda

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  14. Definitely toe up socks with two circulars and I would love to try the new cubic fixed circulars.
    Asteride on ravelry

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  15. I typically knit my socks top down, two-at-a-time, either on two circs or magic loop (I have have really had second sock syndrome) though I've been known to knit socks singularly on DPNS as well.

    I would love to win the Cubics DPNs and my Rav name is Fiyero.

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  16. I knit socks mostly with DPN's. I've knit some with circular needles, 2at a time, but I prefer DPN's.
    I'd love to win the cubics DPN's
    Rav. Weirdjudd

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  18. Last week I started to knit my first pair of socks with circular needles. I'd love to try DPNs, and I'll definitely do it this summer.

    I would love to win the Symfonie DPN, my raverly id is: KittElisa. :)

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  19. I haven't knitted any socks yet, but I'm planning to make my first pair as soon as I finish my current projects!
    I like knitting in the round with DPNs, so I would love to win Symfonie DPN. :)
    Ravelry ID: Dawnreads

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  20. I knit about two years and the first thing I knitted was a pair of socks. I have knitted a lot of socks after that first pair. I always knit cuff down, but I want to try toe-up. Most of the time I knit with DPN, but recently I started knitting socks on ciculair needles. But I would love to try the cubics

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  21. I'm in love with 2-at-time toe up !!! It's great method!
    I'm janis2102 on rav

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  22. I have only knitted socks top-down on dpns so far, but would like to be more adventurous and try other methods!
    I'd love to win some Symfonie dpns, and my ravelry name is cvd-aviatrix

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  23. I tried to knit top down socks, but my truble is the heel. Maybe with a new DPN set everithing'll be easier. So I'd like to win Symfonie DPN :)
    My ravelry nickname is Mop0 and my email is pia.benincasa@gmail.com.
    Thanks for this chance to win.
    Fingers crossed!

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  24. I have only knit socks on 2 circulars. I would like to try a pair of the Cubics fixed circulars.

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  25. I like to knit on one circular, top down. I am still learning. I would love to win your Cubics Fixed Circulars.
    Thank you

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  26. I have knit only one sock toe up (the other one attend the autumn ;) I want to try with Symfonie DPN!
    My raverly nick is brucaliffo.
    Thanks for the chance!

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  27. I have learned the magic loop method and love it! I have done toe up socks, but like cuff down. Socks are one of my favorite things to knit. I would love to try a fixed circular. Thanks for a chance! LynnIL ravelry

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  28. I usually knit socks two at a time on a circular but I would like to try dpn needles.. I don't have a full set in any of the small "sock" sizes.

    dragonracer3 -Ravelry

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  29. I have crocheted a few pairs of socks but since I learned to knit in March, I've knit one pair. I tried DPNs and magic loop. I started another pair on a 9" circular needle. I still don't know which I like best because I'm so new to sock knitting. If I win, I'd love to try the Symfonie DPNs! I'm SpringSplndr on Ravelry.

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  30. I knit my socks toe-up and would love to win a set of the Symfonie DPNS.

    SheilaOKeefe on Rav

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  31. I knit my socks toe up with the magic loop. This way I can easily make them identical, and I don't get second sock syndrome!

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  32. I have tried the toe-up as well as top down technique, using 5 DNP or one circular with the magic loop thecnique. With the DNPS I have get the second sock syndrome so I deply prefer knitting two at a time toe-up socks with one circular needle.
    I would love to win your Cubics Fixed Circular. I'm urukai2 on Ravelry.

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  33. I've only made 2 pairs of socks the top down way. I want to learn more techniques soon. I would love to win the cubics dpns, ravelry id: leebeloola.
    I really need to get those dpn tubes so my stitches stop slipping. why would you need to block socks? surely they stretch to your feet.

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  34. It's winter where I am in the southern hemisphere and we love our woolly socks. Perfect weather with a big snow storm over NZ today.
    I have never looked back since knitting 2-up on my symponie circular needles which I love. I think knitting 2 at once is great because they finish at the same time, so you can look forward to your next project. :)

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  35. Haven't made any socks get but am ready to give it a go!

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  36. I like to make socks two at a time, toe up on magic loop. I would love to win a 100cm 3.5mm symfonie or nova fi X ed circular. I am madmacaw on Ravelry.

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  37. I have knit socks on 2 circulars.
    I like the Symfonie Fixed Circular

    Anna

    ksurty@aol.com

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  38. i like made soks with magic loop! and i like Symfonie DPN
    hi! Alemu

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  39. I have only crocheted socks, I've been intimidated to try knitting them...but now is as good of a time as any! I'd love the symfonie DPN needles. My email is cupcakeliz09(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. I only ever tried toe-up socks on dpns, so those are my favorites so far. Email at isaribeiro1(at)gmail(dot)com. I'd like to get the cubics dpns

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  41. One at a time, magic loop, cuff down socks.

    I'd love fixed Cubic Circular needs

    My Ravelry ID is DriaHades

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  42. I never made socks... but if I win I'll surely apply myself to make for me, family and friends, I'd choose the easyest way because I'm a biginner.

    I'd love the Symfonie Fixed Circular, because of their beautyful colours.

    My Rawelry id is: Lallori

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  43. I have no idea of knit socks! But with the Simphony dices circular I will try. Mi e mail is anarsolanas@gmail.com

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  44. Two at a time (if I did one at a time I'd have a ton of single, lonely socks), magic loop, toe-up. sittingducks[at]gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Forgot to say, I'd love to try the Symfonie circs! :D

      Delete
  45. I love knitting socks Toe up with DNPs, I love knitting socks yur Cubics DPN.

    Raverly ID: craftinmadrid
    Thanks

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  46. I knit socks top down, one at a time. I like to practice the stitch pattern and iron out any difficulties, then the 2nd sock flies off the needles.
    Could I have the Symfonie DPNs please?
    lindarumsey on Ravelry

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  47. I love knitting socks cuff down and on dpn's. Dpn's are my favourite method of all for knitting socks and I'd love to win your Cubics dpn's as they are the only ones I don't have in my collection.
    Ravelry Id. Fairywool

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  48. so far i've only done top down one at a time socks, i use an 8 inch circular needle to do the ribbing and the top, then switch to dpns for the heel turn and gusset, then do the body on the dpns and kitchener. I have the needles to do one a time on two circulars, but i'd REALLY love to try two at a time on one long circular, i have a book, just not the needles :D

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  49. I've tried with circulars but I'm in a huge fan of DPNs using cuff down.

    If I won, I'd love to try the Cubics DPNs.
    My Ravelry ID is BigWoollyBum :)

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  50. Socks are something I haven't tried yet...:-) I'd love to give them a go with the Symfonie DPN's though. meeshellkng on Ravelry
    or meekingsley at Hotmail.com

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  51. I haven't been brave enough to attempt socks as of yet, but it's a thought I've been having recently. I would most likely use the magic loop to make them because it's my go-to method. I would love to be able to try the cubics circulars.
    My rav ID is mrscoupar

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  52. I have just started knitting socks and I need a lot of practise. So hopefully I can do my sock-knitting exercises with these needles. :D
    My Email is: jennifer.geissler@uni-bielefeld.de

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  53. My relation with socks is very naïve and onlye did one pair (yes, I got adicted!!) and used magic loop method and it was great... but I'd very much try knitting with circular cubics... if i get VERY, VERY lucky and VERY, VERY happy!!!!

    My ravelry ID is: malhadeira

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  54. I love knitting two socks at a time with magic loop. It's my favourite way! Would love to win some Symfonie DPNs however as I already knit with KnitPro circulars. Thanks for the opportunity.

    My ravelry is emilydenise

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  55. I love the Symfonie circular. Is so beautiful to see the wood colors through the stitches... Regarding socks I only tried to work from toe up. I find it almost addictive. At the moment I'm trying to work at yoga socks, good for flip flop too.
    patmom on Ravelry

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  56. I usually do hats with circular needle and magic loop, so i would love to try toe up Two-at-a-time Socks with the Fixed cubics, since i already have a set of Nova Metal myself.

    my ravelry is riyuuhi.

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  57. Usually I knit toe up socks. I have tried several techniques how to knit socks. I'd love to try two socks at a time with magic loop. This would be amazing, two socks at once!

    I'd love to try Cubics Fixed Circular needles.

    My ravelry is Waidaw

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  58. Always top down with calf shaping, and I use double-pointed needles. I am a sock fanatic. I knit loads for my grandchildren and my own children. I have one knit-pro set of needles and I love it.

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