Cybersocks
Student Handbook

Introduction

Welcome to Cybersocks! We want everyone to feel comfortable here and to that end, we have prepared this Student Handbook to acquaint you with the classes we offer, what you can expect to learn and what you will need to have on hand to complete these classes. When you have completed each class you will be that much closer to becoming the very best Socknitter you can possibly be. 

These classes are not sock patterns, per se. Instead they are a gathering of techniques that you can utilize in any sock at any time. Each of the classes will include such things as, for instance, a different heel or toe, an alternate cast or maybe even different techniques for color work. At any time during the knitting of these socks, you may prefer to substitute your own favorite technique for the ones described here and you should feel free to do that. Socknitting is not a science but an art form. The most important thing is to love what you've created and to have had fun doing it. 

Classroom One

In Classroom One you will find Carol's class on Sideways Garter Stitch Cuff Socks. There are five lessons with preliminary practice assignments for two of them. Lessons one through four are posted at this time, with Lesson five due soon. Although this class is winding down, feel free to jump in at any time. Carol will be available to answer questions through the message board for an, as yet, undetermined amount of time after the class has ended. Students may also use the message board to chat among themselves. Carol has posted helpful photos to show students how their progressing work should look, and there are also photos of some of the students' work posted on the relevant lesson pages, as well.

Classroom One - Carol's Sideways Garter Stitch Cuff Socks

Classroom Two

In Classroom Two, you will find Denise just finishing up her class on Toe-Up Socks. There are six lessons posted along with one preliminary lesson on making symmetrical increases. As with Carol's class (above) there is a message board to which students may post questions for Denise (and others) to respond to and Denise's photos and charts are nothing short of works of art. 

Classroom Two - Denise's Toe-Up Socks

Classroom Three

In Classroom Three, Edie Eckman, well known Socknitter and author of "Learn To Knit Socks" held her class on Argyle socks. Although this class is officially over, the introduction to Argyle socknitting as well as all five lesson are still there. The introduction includes a brief description of the traditional argyle sock and gives you a list of materials you will need specific to this class. Edie's class will consisted of five lessons with charts and photos and, as with the other two classes, and includes a message board to facilitate the asking and answering of questions.

Classroom Three - Edie's Argyle Socks

Classroom Four

In Classroom Four, Judy Gibson, socknitter extraordinaire and contributor to "Socks X 3" is just starting her class: Kick-Back Two- Color Socks. The introduction has already been posted. The introduction includes a rundown on the materials you will need and a class outline. Lesson One will be posted on Wednesday, March 1. Judy's class will consist of four lessons (and some extra credit work) with charts and photos and, as with the all the other classes, will include a message board to facilitate the asking and answering of questions.

Classroom Four - Judy's Kick-Back Two-Color Socks

General List of Supplies

Yarn

Generally two 50 gram balls of sock weight yarn will make an average pair of socks. If you want to make a really large sock and/or a longer leg...or incorporate a fancy Aran stitch design,  have extra yarn on hand to be on the safe side. This applies too, if you are using a heavier weight yarn with less yardage per ounce, or if you intend to knit with smaller needles than is suggested.

Any size sock yarn from fingering weight to bulky is fine. Use a set of double pointed needles that are the appropriate diameter for your yarn. If you want a second color, you need to find a contrast color that goes with your yarn. The socks shown in these classes are most often made with wool, but there is no reason for the techniques not to work using other fibers or combinations of fibers. The important thing is to find a yarn that you like, one in which the colors appeal to you and that feels good to your hands (and eventually feet.)

Needles

If you like to work both socks at the same time, you will need two sets, of 5 each, of a size appropriate to your yarn. An easy way to determine the needle size you should use is to take two strands of your yarn held together and lay them over one of the holes in a needle gauge. The two strands of yarn should just cover the hole. If they overlap the edges, go up to the next larger size hole and try again. If they don't quite cover the hole, go down a size until you find the exact fit and that's the size needles you should use. This is just a generalization and again you may find you want to use a smaller needle because you knit loosely or larger for the opposite reason. Do what feels right to you.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Cybersocks, Copyright 1999. All rights reserved. This material may be used by individuals for personal use only. It can be distributed to and shared with others as long as it remains fully intact, including this copyright notice. It may not be sold, used to produce items for sale, or used on a web page or in a compilation or archive without written permission from the author.