My First Socks

Class Preview

Put a handmade spring in your step as you knit your first, favorite pair of socks. Use yarns you love to make beautiful, comfortable socks with step-by-step guidance.

Sock Anatomy & Casting On

Meet your instructor, knitwear designer Lucy Neatby, and learn more about the top-down socks you’ll be making and the materials you’ll need. Then jump right into casting on using a long-tail cast-on. Lucy shows you two ways!

Joining & Working in the Round

You can knit your socks using double-pointed needles, two circulars or one long circular. Once you’ve cast on all the stitches you need, Lucy shows you — with all three techniques — how to join and knit with no gaps. She also shares some general tips for successful knitting in the round.

Cuffs, Edgings & the Leg

Start knitting the cuff of your sock with 2×2 ribbing. Learn some handy tips for keeping your stitches tight when switching needles and how to pick up a dropped stitch or fix misaligned ribbing. Then start knitting the leg. If you want to add stripes, Lucy shows you how to add new yarn without creating a gap.

The Heel

When your sock is as long as you like, it’s time to put half your stitches on hold and knit the rest as a heel flap. Lucy demonstrates a slipstitch that will make your heel cushier and more durable. Then you’ll knit short rows with decreases to “turn” the heel — creating the pocket into which your own heel will fit. Lucy’s clear instruction and a close-up view make learning this technique a breeze.

Knit-Up Round & Instep Shaping

Lucy has an easy method for picking up and knitting stitches that doesn’t involve struggling with a crochet hook or floppy edges. Once you’ve got the top and sides of your sock back on track, you’ll start decreasing at the sides of the sock to suit your foot shape.

The Toe & Finishing

You’re almost finished with your sock! Decrease to the toe, then learn Lucy’s terrific trick for grafting that removes all the guesswork. Even experienced sock knitters will appreciate this worry-free technique. Finally, Lucy demonstrates different ways to close any lingering gaps in your socks and weave in ends for a flawless finish.

Choosing Your Sock Options

Learn about factors to consider when choosing sock yarn, including fiber content and colorways, and how to choose the correct needle type and size by swatching. With Lucy’s expert guidance, you’ll be ready to knock out some awesome socks!