h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: How To Knit A Pair Of Socks - A27453107
Author: Reefgirl (She Was One of Life's Little Angels, A Job That Don't Pay Well) - U190551

It's me again, hope you enjoy it

I did might have a go meself! (I always wondered how turn a heel)

It might be worth a a footnote or two on the actual knitting terms used in the entry (for those who have no idea)

Otherwise I can't see many problems with it. Other than...

A several companies produce 'Self patterning' wool which takes the hassle out of Fair Isle knitting and is fun to watch as the pattern unfolds. --> remove the 'A' (and therefore capitalise Several)

Thinking about it, though, possibly 'As several...wool 'it' takes the hassle etc' - Just a thought

Cheers for that, which knitting terms did you have problems with?

I was going for 'As' I must have forgotten the 's' and the spell check didn't pick it up thanks for spotting it

Great subject, Reefgirl

I think it would benefit from a few basic definitions of knitting, to get novices interested, or maybe you could refer us to a particular reference or link to an online one?

Icy

Actually it makes complete sense this morning (must have been the vino clouding my head yesterday )

Just one more point;

if you're feeling daring you could have a go and designing a pair of 'fun' socks, --> either 'and design' or 'a go at designing'

Icy - Do you want a breif history of knitting or an link to a 'How to' website?

Magwitch - I did mean to say at, it was fairly late when I typed it, thanks for the info folks

Spelling sorted Magwitch

I reckon more on the 'How To' than the history - just something to bridge the gap so that complete novices can understand what you're getting at with the instructions you post later on. If there's a good website on this, then yes, go for the link, but I'd dress it up in a sentence or a short paragraph.

Does this make sense?

Icy

Yeah, I understand perfectly Icy. I can't update now as I've got things and work to do so I'll update later on tonight

Hi Reefgirl, I would have to look up all the terminology to properly follow your entry, but I've knitted quite some socks in my life, and I miss the following:

You need a different number of stitches depending on whether you knit for a person with strong claves or slim calves - ´60 stitches might fir a size five, but won't fit a child, or a size eight.


I know you suggest 2.5 needles, which usually indicates a yarn that has the appropriate thickness. However, if you know that your knitting is tight, it's advisable to take 3.0 or 3.5 needles, if your knitting is usually loose, you take smaller needles, say 2.0.

Most instruction manuals suggest you do a test before you start - saying for example, that 26 stitches and 48 rows are 10 cm. This can be useful for somebody who isn't experienced with knitting, as it will show whether they are a 'tight' or a 'loose' knitter.

Noted B'Elana but this isn't a knitting tutorial it's just a basic guide but I will add some links to helpful sites later as I'm on my way to work at the moment

No, it would take much more for a knitting tutorial, that could possibly be an entry on its own (hint,hint), but I think you can't say you need 2.5 needles and 60 stitches for any pair of socks, no matter what size you want, so you should mention which size you're aiming at with your example and say that other sizes need a different number of stitches.

Ok, I'll say THIS particular pattern requires 2.5mm needles and 60 stitches, but I think you'll find most patterns require that size needle, at least the ones I've used have

Ok, links added and needle size explained (I think) and a tools section added

Hi Reefgirl, there is A1941545, which seems to be an introduction to knitting in general. I think it would be worth linking to for the absolute beginner.

Thanks King Bomba, I'll add it now

looks good!

quick comment on the consistency of the usage of stitch marker vs slip marker. You mention both in the article.

-minimy-

No, slip marker means to slip the stitch marker from one needle to another but I can see how it could be confusing, I will amend it now