When you make your first pair of socks you may feel like you could use a third hand. Even if you have been knitting for years the process of making socks is, at least at first, a bit tricky. The first time you turn a heel it feels like a bit of magic has taken place. There are many ways to learn to make socks. There are classes you can take, or books you can follow, and naturally there is Youtube.com. Another way you may consider is a DVD. I was given a copy of The Zen of Socks by Mary Jo Hamilton.

The videos on Youtube only shows parts of making socks, and they vary in quality. Having a DVD that is professional quality and that you can refer to when necessary makes a tricky process easier. This DVD takes you through the process of making socks one step at a time starting with the slip knot used to start the cast on and ending with closing the toe. Ms. Hamilton takes the time to teach you what knit and purl stitches look like. She goes on to show you how to start a pair of socks on double pointed needles. Her method is to start from the cuff and work to the toe.

One of the great things about the DVD is that along the way Hamilton mentions the common problems that may arise. For instance, one of the first things to watch for when making cuff down socks, is to make sure the cast on is not too tight, so that you can get them on over the heel.

The tone of the video is one of reassurance, Ms. Hamilton reassures the knitter when the process of sock making is going to be especially awkward.

Sock making is one of the joys of knitting. It does not make financial sense, we all know you can buy socks cheaply and they will fit and last a long time. Making socks, to paraphrase the Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, is a labor of love. Socks wear out, unlike many other knitted items. Socks are cheap to buy, and although fun to make, are not easy. They are not easy, but they are worth learning to make. It may not make sense, but in knitting with its two lovely stitches, there are few things that are just a joy to create, cables, blocking lace, and making socks.

The Zen of Socks video takes a tricky process, breaks it down into its parts, and shares the joy and magic with you.

For more information go to, Society Socks .