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4-needle sock pattern?

(31 Posts)
Marelli Tue 31-Jan-17 12:39:23

Does anyone know where I can get a women's sock pattern to knit on 4 needles, please?

Jalima Wed 01-Feb-17 15:21:58

I have not managed to knit anything circular on a circular needle either! Although my circular needles are very long, I think I need shorter ones for small hats.
Although I did do the fronts and neck of the cardigans they were, of course, open ended at the bottom so I just went to and fro.

Thanks cascats I could try that on a hat.
I really have to get to grips with some more advanced stuff!
This morning I sorted all my yarn, that was enjoyable. But no actual knitting.

cascats Wed 01-Feb-17 13:01:13

To date have only knitted 3 pairs of socks so still have a lot to learn?. The pattern I used put markers in for two sides of heel and of course I had the normal marker for showing the start/end of row. Not tried a heel turn yet but its on the list !?

Welshwife Wed 01-Feb-17 11:05:39

I can see how that would get rid of the problem Jalima describes but would make difficulties with socks as you need the heel and toes etc to be straight and in line. Funny enough I do not find that going onto the next needle causing a problem.

cascats Wed 01-Feb-17 10:38:18

Jalima, I had the same problem at first when knitting on 3/4 needles. Now as I go round, when it is time to move onto the next needle I knit the first stitch from that onto the full needle I have just finished. That way you are always changing the start and end stitches of each needle so making it like circular needle knitting.
Hope that makes sense!

Jalima Wed 01-Feb-17 09:54:39

Thankyou Gk

I thought I had pulled it tight but not enough obviously.
It was a practice one, usually I do a seam up the back of the hat, it was for charity so has been posted off.
I will try again or perhaps have a go at socks next time!

Grannyknot Wed 01-Feb-17 08:35:27

jalima that does happen, I combat it by making sure I pull the first knitted stitch tight as I start on the next needle, and when the knitted piece is complete, and I wash it, I ease that "stitch ladder". Finally, I think of all those expensive bought garments that have a label that reads "There may be natural variations in this handmade garment". grin

There is a way too that you can tighten loose stitches with a crochet hook, will see if I can find it.

Jalima Tue 31-Jan-17 23:05:52

We didn't do knitting at my primary school.

However, I remember making a very nice gathered skirt, navy blue with little flowers all over and embroidery round the hem. I wore it quite a lot!

As for knitting on more than two needles - the hat I knitted on three needles was not a great success because where I went from one needle to another there were three distinct lines of larger stitches up the hat.

I must have done something wrong.

Marelli Tue 31-Jan-17 23:02:23

My last effort was at primary school too, Farnorth. Orange mittens, which ended up more of a dull fawn and a bit matted by the time I'd finished them!
56 years later, I'm having another go - and all because a friend of mine has sent me a photo of some socks she's made. She's very clever, craft-wise, and has also sent me a photo of a cactus that she'd knitted. confused. I'll just stick with trying to do the socks.

FarNorth Tue 31-Jan-17 20:45:35

I have only ever knitted one sock on 4 needles, in primary school. Never got round (so to speak) to the 2nd one. I did manage a pair of mitts on 4 needles.
Ours was the last class in our school to have to use 4 needles. The next class did something namby-pamby on 2 needles.

Sorry, I'm no help really.

Welshwife Tue 31-Jan-17 18:47:10

I only started the socks last summer! Luckily OH's feet are still the same size!

Jalima Tue 31-Jan-17 18:24:06

Welshwife have been having a sort-out of an untidy cupboard and found a jumper half done which I started for DD when she was about 8, she is in her thirties now.
There doesn't seem to be a pattern with it either.

Welshwife Tue 31-Jan-17 17:54:46

Thank you - will take a look.

Have done a bit of searching and it is Regia sock wool I have used very successfully.

Marelli Tue 31-Jan-17 16:17:20

Welshwife, I've been searching and have found a website. I searched for 4 needle sock patterns and this one came up : Free Vintage Knitting, with a printer -friendly pattern for the socks. It's American but I think the only difference would be ensuring the appropriate UK needle size. The heels are the 'turned type'.

Welshwife Tue 31-Jan-17 16:12:28

Once you get the hang of it it is easy enough. My mum taught me to use four needles when I was a child. However it us very helpful to mark the beginning of the row.

whitewave Tue 31-Jan-17 15:59:54

I do wish I was more practical and creative. The spirit is definately willing but the flesh is pathetic.

Welshwife Tue 31-Jan-17 15:57:48

I normally use about a four ply weight yarn to make socks and get it in John Lewis since the little wool shop I used to use closed.
I have just discovered a disaster! Because of this thread I decided to look for the name of the wool - I usually have a pair of socks on the go to fill in any time between doing other things - found my bag with a finished sock and a half done one - but not only was there no wool band but the pattern is gone too!!!!! I will need to have a huge search now to see if I can find both- I think the wool is a Patons or Sirdar one. Comes multicoloured and makes different patterns as you knit.

whitewave Tue 31-Jan-17 15:55:44

I do think woollen socks are good this time of year. I don't k nit them, but have bought some gorgeous Exmoor sheep wool socks from a company in Devon. I think natural materials are always nice. Buy them for DH as well.

Marelli Tue 31-Jan-17 15:08:09

'loveknitting' has free downloadable patterns but they all seem to have the ones with a square heel, like you were describing, Welshwife.
I'll have another look at Ravelry, Jalima.
I want to do some jazzy ones for myself - brilliant sock wool on eBay, but not the right patterns, unfortunately!

Jalima Tue 31-Jan-17 14:51:45

AlieOxon do you put socks in the tumble drier?
We found that makes them shrink; I dry them on a rack now.

AlieOxon Tue 31-Jan-17 14:47:57

I used to be able to do 4 needles, but have never made a sock.

Am now wondering if I should,as I am having great difficulty in finding socks which are not too tight a) at the top and b)round the heel/ankle, I seem to have very big heels!

(Please don't send links to soft or comfort top socks, as I've tried the ones I can afford and they all SHRINK.
Then my feet swell more.)

I could try a 4 needle sock pattern....

Jalima Tue 31-Jan-17 14:40:43

I knitted a small hat on three needles, what a struggle that was!
Perhaps four would be easier.

Jalima Tue 31-Jan-17 14:40:02

Three socks? grin

LadyGracie Tue 31-Jan-17 14:33:54

I did my last sock on a short circular needle, it's a lot easier, the shape heel instructions do look daunting, but go step by step and it's quite straightforward. I've only ever knitted 3 socks though, I prefer bigger garments. I think LoveKnitting have a couple of sock patterns to download free.

Jalima Tue 31-Jan-17 14:20:48

It says 'shape heel' with a few instructions saying 'turn'

Jalima Tue 31-Jan-17 14:18:57

I'm not sure if the link is for a pair with heel turning (however you do that!).
Perhaps you will recognise it Welshwife