Socknitter FAQ - Where?
Q: Where can I find this yarn?
A: Anytime you are looking for something on the Internet, using a search engine is the best way to find something. There are many search engines but some of the popular ones are
www.altavista.com - also has a language translation feature for patterns in other languages
www.allsearchengines.com - an index of engines
When entering a search on any of these, it is important to spend some time making sure you have the right phrase or question. You can refine this. Enter what you think will get you the answer and then look at the results presented. If they don’t appear to be what you are looking for, try using the advanced search that is available on most sites. Here you can click on a button to use the exact phrase you typed in (good for yarn or pattern searches), or exclude words that might lead to incorrect results. It is best to find a favorite search engine and then learn how to use its advanced search features as there are slight differences between them. Once you have mastered this skill, you will never have a problem finding anything on the Internet.
Q: Where can I find these needles?
A: See ‘Where can I find this yarn?’ above.
Q: Where can I find this pattern?
A: See ‘Where can I find this yarn?’ above.
Q: Where can I find free patterns?
A: You can use a search engine to find patterns but there are a few sites that contain a lot of patterns or pointers to patterns:
http://www.socknitters.com/PATTERNS/DYOSpatt.htm
http://www.knittingfun.homestead.com/sockpatterns.html
http://www.woolworks.org/slippers.html
http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns-socks.htm
http://www.knitlist.com/socks.htm
http://heartstringsfiberarts.com/#freebies
Q Where can I find a list of knitting publications?
Click to see the list contributed by Jo-Anne
Q: Where can I find foot measurements for different shoe sizes?
A: Socks need to fit the foot very closely. Shoes have much more leeway. Therefore, the best bet is to measure the foot that you are knitting for. However, if you cannot, here is a list of sites that offer foot sizes by shoe size.
http://www.brannock.com/conversion.html
http://www.boot.com/bsizcvt.htm#SizeTable
http://www.sears.ca/e/info/sizeshoe.htm
http://www.rei.com/rei/gearshop/sizefinder/footwear.html
http://www.fibergypsy.com/common/socksize.shtml
http://www.needletrax.com/SockSizeAnalysis.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/shoesizing.html
Q: Where can I find info on different toes?
A: http://www.socknitters.com/lessons/toes.htm. In addition, many of the books listed above in ‘How do I knit socks?’ also have a number of toe variations.
Q: Where can I find info on different heels?
A: http://www.knittinggeek.com/howto/chooseheels.htm.
To work heels in different sizes, look at http://www.socknitters.com/Tips/heels_by_the_number.htm.
A: Many patterns in stitch dictionaries like Barbara Walker’s treasuries or the Harmony Guides can be converted into circular patterns. Check out http://www.bigskyknitting.com/circles.pdf for advice on how to convert. http://www.needletrax.com/kdc.htm is a link a circular knitting pattern dictionary that can be purchased. There are some free stitch patterns available at http://www.knitting.about.com/msubmenu24.htm.
Q: Where can I buy Sock Software? (OR read reviews?)
A: The Sole Solution is available at http://www.needletrax.com/sole_solution.htm. Sock Wizard is available at http://www.software4knitting.com/psockwizard/sockwiz.htm. A review of these two was done in Cast On Winter 2002-2003. You can get this issue at a yarn store or via The Knitting Guild of America at http://www.tkga.com until supplies last.
Q: Where do I find local yarn shops?
A: http://www.woolworks.org/stores.html
http://www.knittinguniverse.com/athena/shopfinder.taf
A: http://www.knittinguniverse.com/athena/guildsA.taf
Q: Where can I find charities to donate socks?
A: Many worthy causes will take knitted items. Here is a list of sites that contain information about charities. The first couple is for sock knitting only. The others list charities for other items also.
http://www.socknitters.com/projects.htm
http://home.teleport.com/~noelvn/socks/charity_style.html
http://www.knitnet.com/sampler/charlist.htm
http://www.woolworks.org/charity.html
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/charity-links.html
Q: Where can I find a pattern for thong socks?
A: Thong socks (socks with one toe) are also called Tabi socks or Mitten socks. You can find information and a pattern in the archive here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Socknitters/message/89845 and a free online pattern here:
http://www.portcommodore.com/diane/knitting/
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