Why a Knitalong?

Even if you have access to great video lessons, there’s no guarantee you’re going to watch all the videos or motivate yourself to overcome any obstacle that comes up during a project.

A knitalong helps you keep pace so that you don’t stress out about getting it all done at once nor do you give up due to lack of progress. With our knitalong you’ll be knitting and accomplishing a small amount each week without having to worry about whether or not you’re on the right track.

Group knitalongs also motivate you as you see other knitters posting their photos and asking their questions at each step. We have a great community here at KnitFreedom. You’ll enjoy participating in a group project that is meaningful, challenging, and fun for everyone.

Why KnitFreedom for a Knitalong?

Anyone can walk you through a project, but not everyone will do it at a pace that’s right for you. Most of our knitters can only knit a limited amount per day, so we set a slower pace that lets you enjoy yourself and all you’re learning. And fast knitters have no reason to be held back, as all the video lessons are available up-front and you’ll have specific locations where you can ask questions “ahead of time” as you race ahead towards your first finished pair of socks.

Why Knit Socks?

Most projects, big or small, teach you one or two new things, but not enough to advance your knitting forward in a meaningful way. Socks are different. For most intermediate knitters, socks teach you key skills that you will use on almost every project going forward, be it sweaters, shawls, lace, or mittens.

Plus, socks are a great summer project that won’t overheat you while you knit or set them your lap. In fact, by the time they reach your lap, you’ll be done! Socks are also a very budget-friendly project that you can often knit with just one skein of yarn. They are a minimal investment of time and money that will grow your knitting skills exponentially.

Why Knit Socks From the Toe Up?

Socks are normally a complicated project with new techniques that are hard to visualize. Knitting socks from the toe up simplifies the sock-making process into a few straightforward sections that are easy to learn and remember. Many students who learn toe-up socks with us continue to refer to the same pattern for years, adding and embellishing the socks as they get more confident in their knitting.

Why Knit Two Socks at a Time?

One of the drawbacks to knitting socks the traditional way is that as soon as you finish one sock, if you want a pair, you have to start over and knit the whole thing again. Especially if you love learning new things, repeating your work can be boring and frustrating. In fact, this is such a pain that reluctance to knit a second sock is called “Second-Sock Syndrome!”

In addition, there’s no guarantee the socks will come out the same, as your tension often changes over the course of a project (you tend to relax as you figure out what you’re doing). Knitting the socks two-at-a-time guarantees they’ll come out exactly the same with no extra effort, plus you’ll finish them at the same time so you can gift them or put them on right away.

As an added bonus, the technique you’ll use to knit two-at-a-time is also applicable to anything else you’ll want to knit two-at-a-time, be it mittens, sweater sleeves… even the fingers of gloves!

What If I’m Not Ready to Knit Two-at-a-Time?

No problem, you can easily knit these socks one-at-a-time without any issues. The video and pattern directions will show you how to knit one-at-a-time as well as two-at-a-time.

Why Knit in the Round on Magic Loop?

Knitting in the round (knitting a continuous tube) is a fantastic way to create garments like hats, socks, mittens, and sweaters, but each method of knitting in the round has its drawbacks. Double-pointed needles can be unwieldy and create ladders where the needles meet, plus they don’t allow you to try on as you go or knit your projects two-at-a-time. There’s also the danger of losing one or two of the pointy little buggers! Small circular needles require you to you buy a different circumference of needle for each kind of project, and the two-circulars method requires you to buy more needles than you might otherwise need.

I have found the Magic Loop technique of knitting in the round to be an elegant and fun solution to all these issues and more. A minimal number of needles serves to create a vast number of projects. You can try on as you go which helps you notice and fix any fit issues as soon as possible. You can knit two identical items at-a-time if you wish (think socks and mittens). The list of pros goes on and on, but suffice it to say, my students have found this method wonderful for anyone wishing to knit in the round with speed and enjoyment.

What Are the Dates of this Knitalong?

The knitalong is open for signups from now until August 1st, 2022.

As soon as you sign up for the knitalong, you will receive the complete video class, access to the knitalong area to ask questions, your Imagiknit discount code, and advice about buying materials.

Starting August 1st, you will receive weekly or twice-weekly emails walking you through each step of knitting socks, starting with choosing your pattern, buying materials, checking your gauge, and practicing Magic Loop.

You can go as fast or slow as you like, as you will have immediate access to the 26 prerecorded videos teaching you how to knit the socks. You can knit the socks as soon as you get the course, or take it easy and wait to receive each next step in your email before proceeding.

You will have about 2 weeks once the knitalong starts to get your materials, so you don’t have to do anything until you receive the first knitalong email on August 1st.

What Are My Options for Socks With this Knitalong?

You can knit a basic toe-up sock or a more intermediate faux-heel toe-up sock. The basic sock is recommended for first-time sock knitters, while the faux-heel-flap sock is appropriate for knitters with high insteps, those who want to do a contrasting-color heel and/or toe, those who want to do a textured heel like the Eye-of-the-Partridge heel, or those who just want to challenge themselves on something a bit more complex.

Basic Sock
The basic sock is knit with a Fleegle heel and available in fingering, worsted, bulky, and super-bulky yarn weights.

Sizes available:

• Fingering: Small (Medium, Large): Fits Foot Circumference 7 (8, 9) in.
• Worsted, Bulky, Super-Bulky: Small-Medium (Medium- Large): Fits Foot Circumference 7.5 (8.5) in.

We also have this same Fleegle Heel sock pattern in a generic version for any size foot and any weight of yarn.

Faux-Heel Sock
The faux-heel sock is available in fingering and worsted yarn weights.

Sizes available:

• Fingering: Small (Medium, Large): Fits Foot Circumference 7 (8, 9) in.
• Worsted: Small-Medium (Medium- Large): Fits Foot Circumference 7.5 (8.5) in.

What Materials Will I Need to Knit These Socks?

You’ll need a 47-inch-long circular needle in the size appropriate to the yarn you choose for the project. We recommend worsted yarn for your first socks, but you can knit the socks in any weight of yarn, from fingering to super-bulky.

The needle size you choose will depend on how tight or loose you knit, as measured by a gauge swatch (we’ll show you how to do this in the class). Here are some general recommendations:

• Fingering-Weight Yarn: US Size 2 (2.75 mm) – Gauge: 7 sts/in
• Worsted-Weight Yarn: US Size 7-8 (4.5-5.0 mm) – Gauge: 4.5 sts/in
• Bulky-Weight Yarn: US Size 10 (6.0 mm) – Gauge: 3.5 sts/in
• Super-Bulky-Weight Yarn: US Size 13 (9.0 mm) – Gauge: 2.5 sts/in

You can also knit the socks in ANY gauge and ANY weight of yarn by following our generic Fleegle-heel pattern.

As for needle brands, Addi Turbo is my favorite brand, but you can use Knit Picks, ChiaGoo, Addi Lace, or any other circular needles you have access to. You can buy them online, on Amazon, or at your local yarn store. I prefer metal circular needles to the bamboo or birch needles you find at big box craft stores.

How Much and What Kind of Yarn Will I Need to Knit These Socks?

You will almost certainly want to choose a washable wool yarn unless you are okay with hand-washing your socks. I prefer wool yarn or wool-and-nylon sock yarn to yarn that contains acrylic. Merino wool is a great choise. Stay away from cotton, bamboo, and silk yarns for your first socks.

Your yardage requirements will differ based on the weight of yarn and size of socks you choose.

Recommended Yardage:

• Fingering-Weight Yarn: 340-420 yards (310-385 m). The longer length is for knee socks.
• Worsted-Weight Yarn: 180 yards (165 m)
• Bulky-Weight Yarn: 120 yards (110 m)
• Super-Bulky-Weight Yarn: 90 yards (83 m)

Can I Get a Discount on Materials for These Socks?

Yes! Knitalong members will receive a discount code at Imagiknit Yarns for 15% off needles and recommended yarns.

Fingering-Weight Kit:

• 47-inch Addi Turbos Size 2
• 1 skein Malabrigo Sock yarn divided into 2 equal balls

Worsted-Weight Kit:

• 47-inch Addi Turbos Size 7
• 1 skein Cascade 220 Superwash Merino yarn divided into 2 equal balls

What Skills Are Required to Learn These Socks?

You will need experience knitting in the round on Magic Loop (take a crash course here) OR an adventurous spirit and a willingness to go one step at a time and try new things. You can do this knitalong without having knitted in the round before but it will be a challenge.

We recommend practicing with our free basic Magic Loop video here, getting comfortable by taking our complete course here, and optionally practicing on a basic hat like this one before starting your two-at-a-time socks. You can use the same needles and yarn to knit your hat as you do for your socks.

What Techniques Will I Learn in This Class?

You’ll learn how to:

• Choose which of our toe-up sock patterns is right for you
• Get the right gauge so your socks fit correctly
• Cast on for toe-up socks using Judy’s Magic Cast-On
• Cast on for two-at-a-time using Judy’s Magic Cast-On
• Knit two-at-a-time in the round on Magic Loop
• Prevent and fix common Magic Loop and two-at-a-time mistakes
• Do the M1L (Make One Left) and M1R (Make One Right) increases
• Do the KFB (Knit Front-and-Back) increase and how to use it instead of a M1
• Know when it’s time to increase and time to do a plain round
• Know when to start the increases on a Fleegle or a faux-heel sock
• Turn an easy no-holes Fleegle Heel (no wrap-and-turn required!)
• Create a fitted heel for high insteps using traditional short rows (optional)
• Purl backwards so you can create a heel without turning your work (optional)
• Do the K2TOG (Knit Two Together) and the SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) decreases
• Work in 1×1 or 2×2 rib
• Finish your socks perfectly with Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy or the Invisible Ribbed Bind-Off

60-Day 100% Money-Back Guarantee

You are protected by our 60-day no-questions-asked 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. Try any of our courses out for 60 days. If you don’t love everything you learn and tell all your friends, we’ll give you your money back.

While we money-back guarantee your satisfaction with KnitFreedom, downloading videos acknowledges that you are happy with the product and are no longer eligible to receive a refund. Please review the videos in your online class first if you think you might need a refund.

We have stood behind this guarantee since we started KnitFreedom more than 10 years ago, and we receive almost no refund requests. Our students love learning with KnitFreedom, and we invite you to try it too, 100% risk-free.

Personal Answers to Your Knitting Questions

We know self-taught knitters have questions, and we never want you to feel alone. As a KnitFreedom student you will have access to personal knitting coaching via the knitalong at any time. Just post your question on any of our knitalong posts. Knitting expert and video teacher Liat Gat will answer your questions about this project. You can even include photo of your knitting if you aren’t sure how to explain what’s happened.

Downloadable Videos for Offline Viewing

If you go on vacation and want to take your knitting videos with you, or you live in an area with unreliable/slow Internet, you can download all our class videos to your computer at any time, and transfer them to your mobile devices as well.