This sock tutorial uses 9″ circular needles instead of double-pointed needles or magic loop. For more information on using 9″ circulars and a needle review, see my Using 9″ Circulars video. Other details – these socks are toe-up, use German Short Rows (instead of traditional wraps & turns), and an afterthought heel. Pattern includes links to a four-part video tutorial (video below), and instructions for both DK/Sport weight yarn and Sock/Fingering weight yarn.
DK/Sport Weight Socks
Size: Women’s average width, any shoe size
Needles: Size US 3 (3.25mm) 8” or 9” circular needles and double-pointed needles
Yarn: 100 grams DK or Sport weight yarn (also called 8-ply yarn)
Additional Materials: Size G or H crochet hook, a few feet of worsted-weight scrap yarn in a contrasting color, tapestry needle for weaving ends
Gauge: 6.5 stitches per inch in stockinette
Fingering Weight Socks
Size: Women’s average width, any shoe size
Needles: Size US 1.5 (2.5mm) 8” or 9” circular needles and double-pointed needles
Yarn: 100 grams of fingering weight yarn (also called sock yarn or 4ply yarn)
Additional Materials: Size G or H crochet hook, a few feet of worsted-weight scrap yarn in a contrasting color, tapestry needle for weaving ends
Gauge: 8 stitches per inch in stockinette
Pattern + links to four-part video, $8 US via PayPal 
Information on things you’ll see in this video:
The yarn I used in my finished Sport/DK weight socks is Knit Picks Hawthorne Sport Multi in color Irvington, sport weight, 258 yards. The contrasting color I used at the toe and heel is some leftover Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino.
The yarn I used in my finished fingering weight socks is Knit Picks Hawthorne Speckle Handpaint in Granite Speckle, fingering weight, 357 yards. The contrasting color I used at the toe and heel is some leftover Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino.
The yarn I used for demonstration is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky.
The pink notions box I use to hold my stitch markers can be found here.
The nail polish I’m wearing is by Julep, color “Ilga”.
My silver ring is actually a knitting needle gauge, and can be found here.
I can’t use 9″ circs because they cramp up my already arthritic fingers so I’m assuming that using dpns would be fine? Thanks for the video and once I hear from you on this, I’ll be off to buy the pattern.
Laura – I address the hand cramping issue in a short video I released last week on using 9″ circulars: https://youtu.be/2xDq6K5wWTk
But, yes – you can use DPNs instead of 9″ circulars.
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Thanks for your timely reply, Staci, and I’m looking forward to getting your pattern and learning how to knit my first ‘toe up’ socks plus, I’ve never knit an afterthought heel.
Oops, looks like it’s fixed.
Staci, can I use circular needles for the whole thing? I am unable to use straight or dpns!!
Tracie – yes, you can knit the whole sock on the circulars, I just find it easier to switch to DPNs.
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I bought two 9″ circular knitting which is HiyaHiya and ChiaoGoo. I like both. I find that if I use ChiaoGoo for beginning part of knitting socks, and I find HiyaHiya also easier for longer parts. I like them both . At first try, it takes a while to adjust of how to hold the needles, and it s good. You are right about knitting simple pattern is best for this. I alway use DPNs for socks, and I find 9″ looks much nice only for simple pattern. Thank you for telling us about this because I would never know about this size.
Hi Staci
I am struggling with the GSR’s (Can’t get past the toe!) Have had several attempts but have to rip out and start again. I think the problem is that I am rushing too much. Is there anyway of slowing the tutuorial down? I’m sure this would help. Thanks Carol.
Carol – you can’t slow down the video, but you can slide the timeline back (bottom of the video player screen) to replay any section as many times as necessary.
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I’d thought you’d said in the video that there were both women’s and men’s sizes available?
No, this pattern is written for both Sport weight and fingering weight yarns, but only in women’s sizes.
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Hello! I love VeryPink Knits!
Hi Stacy,
Would it be possible to leave half of the stitches on the 9″ needles and use DPNs for the other half to make the heel, turn the heel and make the gusset then put all the stitches back on the 9″ needles?
The idea of the live stitches make me nervous to try this technique.
Thanks,
Kathy
Thanks for your videos!! I’ve make several socks because you taught me how:)
Kathy – yes, that’s absolutely possible. You’ll just be using the 9″ circular as a stitch holder while you work the heel.
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Staci – it appears that your stitch marker link is now broken – says there is no Etsy member you’re looking for……….. from Etsy, I’m thinking handmade. Did they possibly change the name of the store?
I would like to buy this pattern, but Ravelry Paypal checkout is now forcing account creation. I’ve bought several of your patterns without having to create a Paypal account. So sad I’m going to have to miss out on this one because of Paypal.