Socks - shall I bin them

I too had never heard of Kitchener stitch so I googled it, and found that it is the way I join shoulder seams on hand-knitted jumpers etc. I never knew it had a name and thought I had invented the method myself! Certainly never seen instructions for it! It does give a beautifully invisible and smooth seam.

I love knitwear but cannot understand knitted socks! I need a layer of cotton under knitwear I dont like it against my skin. Ive been given a few pairs of knitted socks but cannot bear the feeling. Socks are underwear, knitwear should never be underwear IMO. I would room 101 ALL knitted socks!

I think it must be about the technical challenge. Maybe thats why they end up gifted? There are much better types of thermal socks out there

Have never made socks I can’t get on with a circular needle never mind four at once! I do knit other stuff all on the usual two needles. I have found that that Boden glitter thread socks for me better than any others I have ever bought. The glitter is not on the inside they are made of some material that is so comfortable, and they look SO pretty.

I joined a knitting group when I first immigrated to N.America. The majority of the members were making socks and on 4 needles. I thought "why knit socks?" Decided to have a go but I didn't want to faff about with 4 needles. I bought a book called " Toe-up 2-at-a-time socks" by Melissa Morgan- Oakes. (Amazon.co.uk 8 Pounds 63p) which I recommend.
2 socks are knitted at the same time on one long circular needle. The instructions are very clear with photos and includes 15 patterns for kids and adults. The socks are "made to measure". There's a simple formula given to measure the toe to gusset length. There's no sewing when you're done. So I made a pair and got "the message"! They are SO comfy and fit like a glove. I have since made a few pairs for my adult children and they just love 'em.

Goodness!

I can't manage with four

Off to knit square for charity, don't have to think so I can watch CTM at the same time.

In Scandinavia you knit socks with 5 needles; you hold 4 needles and knit with the 5th. That is how we learnt it in school. I know I can buy socks cheaper than I can knit them. However, my knitted ones are so comfortable and I find knitting very therapeutic and it keeps my fingers nimble.

Odd socks go on the 'feet' of my stepladder if I use it outdoors!

If the wool is washable socks make very good dusters - just put them over you hand.

I tried knitting socks once....erm no. Not for me. My MIL on the other hand, is the queen of sock knitting. She churns them out at a spanking pace. I am the lucky owner of two pair and I guard them jealously - they are SO much more comfy than bought ones.
I love em. If you have the patience, finish em, or if not, we could always send em to my MIL...

Unraveland and use to knit something else.

Mine are not only unfinished, they are not even started, mary51

Two 'sock kits' from Lidl (how long ago was that?), a pattern from Sirdar, also bought the yarn, purchased some rather nice sets of four needles and was given a book of sock patterns all of which I get out occasionally and shove away again.

Well done for getting that far.

I've knitted a lot of socks and sometimes I graft the toes and sometimes cast off two needles together. I had never heard of Kitchener stitch, so googled it and it seems to be what I always thought of as just grafting. It was interesting to see that Lord Kitchener was credited as having invented/suggested it for making seam-free socks though. Thank you mary51 - it's always good to learn something new!

I knit lots of socks.On four needles and often with Aran yarn. Wellie socks .I just turn sock inside out at the toes and hand stitch them using my own Kitchener method.

If they’re all natural fibre you could compost them!

I did child size more for the technique challenge. Beautiful random dyed sock yarn Happy by Wendy. Long term project for gift for daughter. More of a rainy day thing really..

I make socks with 4 needles and they are the most comfortable ever. Find instructions for kitchener stitch and print them out and mark line by line. Use enough stitch markers

Buy not by

I wouldn’t have the patience to knit socks or the inclination, but I do by the bamboo yarn sox they are so comfy, I’ve never seen anyone use four needles amazing, I think you should do what you feel is right for you, mary51

We were taught to knit socks and gloves on four needles in secondary school. We were allowed to take them home and work on them there. This coincided with my granny's annual visit. As she was an expert sock knitter, she took over and showed me how to turn a heel - in other words, she did it for me! Maybe my teacher suspected, but she never said anything; she was probably glad there was something I couldn't mess up! Incidentally, Welshwife, odd socks were popular the Christmas before last when my GD asked for some as a gift. I thought they might have gone out of fashion by now!

Sorry to say it, but socks with a seam are bound to cause blisters, unless they are intended as bed socks.
Couldn't you unwind them and use the wool for something else?

I've never learnt how to knit with 4 needles. .looks complicated and I dont have much patience these days!
mary51 ... Ooo bamboo yarn, I've heard it's very soft to wear.
I also dont know of kitchener stitch.
I've got so many unfinished projects that I've made a new years resolution to give any new ones to charity shop. Some one else can unravel or finish if they want to!

I've been knitting socks on 4 needles for years but I must confess that I've never heard of Kitchener stitch. Can anyone enlighten me. By the way, I use them with a pair of cotton socks inside in lieu of slippers on these cold evenings. Wouldn't change them for the world.

I saw packs of 6 socks all highly patterned and very colourful - intended to be worn as random pairs. Start a new fashion in odd socks.

There is a theory that lost socks turn into Tupperware lids which don’t fit any dishes.

I currently have 56 odd socks. Don't be me and keep things for the sake of it lol maybe turn them into something else?