I was starting to plan which socks I am going to knit during Socktober and thought I would share some of my internet findings with you, to either encourage those of you that who can already knit socks, or if you've never tried to give you good starting points to begin your sock journey.  I've included to some of the beautiful patterns out there to get you as excited as me!

If you've never knit a sock, I urge you  to look at  Winwick mum's blog.(http://winwickmum.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/basic-sock-pattern-and-tutorial.html). She has written a great blog post with many pictures to help you through your first pair of plain socks (if you use multi-coloured yarn then they'll be stripy!). She uses double pointed needles (DPNs) and a small 30cm circular needle (don't panic if that's sounding scary, there are other options) and walks you through the harder parts of sock construction using lots of pictures to show exactly what's going on.

If you prefer videos to help you learn, I can recommend Very Pink Knits as that's where I learned to knit my socks!  She has many videos on YouTube showing you how to make socks using all the methods you can think of : DPNs, Magic loop, short circulars, cuff down, toe up, two at a time, and german short row heels to name a few.  The videos are free, but some use paid for patterns that accompany the videos on her website or Ravelry.com.  You can easily use the videos as how to demonstrations though.  To find the videos, scroll down on her website (http://verypink.com/) for all the knitting help and knitting tutorial videos.

Ravelry.com is the first place I look at when I feel the need to browse for patterns late at night!  There are a huge number of free and paid for patterns available for immediate download as PDFs so you can start knitting them straight away (assuming you have a ball of sock yarn stashed - always a must for me!).  Here are some of my favourite free patterns:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/how-i-make-my-socks
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hermiones-everyday-socks
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vanilla-latte-socks
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-skyp-socks
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blueberry-waffle-socks
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cadence-socks

Of course, here at Avicraft wool we have a good selection of sock patterns and yarns  to suit all budgets, and we are on hand to give out advice if you need it.  Don't forget we are running Save Our Socks drop in sessions for you to bring in any projects that have stalled!

Have fun!

Here at Avicraft Wool we have decided to make sure our feet are warm this winter by renaming October Socktober and knitting socks all month long!  Woolly socks, lacy socks, stripy socks, colourful socks, basically any handmade socks!  Whether you have knitted many socks, or you would like to knit your first, we would love for you to join us. 

We will be running a Beginners Sock Knitting course, starting on Friday 21 Socktober with two time slots - the daytime course which will run from 10am-12:30pm, and an evening course, from 7-9:30pm.  Places are limited so book early by popping in or ringing the shop.

We will also be running Save Our Socks sessions throughout the month where you can bring in socks that are languishing half done for help to get going again.  Got stuck doing the heel flap? Dropped stitches?  Pattern instructions not making sense? Bring them in to the shop during any  morning in Socktober and lets see if we can get them finished!

There will also be a 10% discount on sock yarn throughout the month so you can treat yourself to warm feet more affordably!  We have many different colours and styles of sock yarn, as well as patterns in store now!