Essential Skills for Sock Knitting (DVD + Streaming)

Conquer sock knitting essentials that ensure success! Join designer Ann Budd and learn little details that make things easier at every step. During class, you’ll see how to knit identical socks toe-up and cuff-down, and find out how to troubleshoot any tricky situations that pop up along the way. Ann will begin by demonstrating how to take accurate measurements before helping you conquer popular sock cast-ons and bind-offs. For variety, you’ll discover new heel and toe styles, and Ann will share methods for shaping. With these skills you can accommodate the unique features of any feet! Plus, throughout class you’ll learn the classic techniques that lead to great socks, from picking up stitches to grafting.

NOTE: If you’d like to purchase only the DVD for this class, you may do so through this link. (Please note, any class PDF materials are not on the DVD itself. You must have streaming access to download those materials associated with the class.)

Set Up for Sock Success (26:09)
Meet knitting expert Ann Budd and learn all about sock anatomy and how socks can be knitted from the top down or toe up with a variety of heel and toe types. Choose your yarn and start swatching to get the needle size for a perfect fit. Ann also discusses needle types and how to measure your foot.

Top-Down Cast-On & Working in the Round (28:26)
Learn the Old Norwegian method of casting on for a super-stretchy cuff top. Ann demonstrates how to distribute your stitches on double-pointed needles and three ways to join as you begin the ribbed sock cuff. Or try the tubular cast-on with double-knitting for an extra-cushy edge!

Toe-Up Cast-Ons (15:29)
For a seamless toe, try a magical cast-on that mimics Kitchener stitch. For a short-row toe, use a crochet hook to create a provisional cast-on, or the twisty wrap cast-on with a double-pointed needle. With Ann’s guidance, you’ll soon be ready to rock on your toe-up socks!

Top-Down Round Heel Shaping (23:18)
For a top-down sock, Ann shares one of her favorite heel-shaping methods. The round heel is great for people with high insteps and is very cushiony, thanks to slipped stitches. You’ll see how to turn the heel, then pick up stitches and knit the gussets without creating unsightly holes.

Toe-Up Round Heel (20:47)
The same round heel from Lesson 4 can be created in the reverse direction when you knit from the toe up. Ann walks you through the gusset increases you create simultaneously with the heel stitches. As you shape the heels, you decrease the gussets, too. That means you don’t have have to pick up stitches!

Short-Row Heels (22:56)
With short-row heels, whether they’re top-down or toe-up, there is no gusset. Learn how to create “companion stitches” using the yarn-over method, then decrease those same stitches to shape the heel. Ann shows you how!

Toe Shaping (26:41)
Learn Ann’s favorite toe-shaping methods: the short-row toe and the wedge toe. Start with the wedge toe, the most commonly used, and see how to do it from the top down or toe up. Then tackle the short-row toe, which is very similar to the short-row heel.

Bind-Offs (26:41)
Top-down socks are typically finished by grafting the toe with Kitchener stitch. Ann demonstrates this handy technique, as well as a decorative yet comfortable zigzag bind-off for short-row toes. Working toe-up? Try the sewn, the surprisingly stretchy or the tubular bind-off at the cuff.

Finishing (10:48)
Finish by weaving in yarn ends and closing any gaps. Ann shares some simple ways to customize shaping to accommodate calves and feet that are not proportionate. Finally, Ann explains how to block socks, but she suggests that you just put them on and enjoy them!

Ann Budd

Ann Budd learned to knit as a child after her father brought her family to the German-speaking part of Switzerland during a one-year sabbatical. She went on to study science in college and ended up with a master’s degree in geology. Through it all, she continued to knit and eventually switched careers to become an editorial assistant for Handwoven magazine at Interweave Press. Today, she’s a book editor, knitwear designer and the author of the best-selling “Knitter’s Handy Book” series.

How will I receive my DVD class?
Your DVD will be shipped in the mail using the address you provide at checkout. Your purchase also includes access to a streaming version of the class and downloadable PDF class materials. After your purchase, you can find your streaming class and your PDF class materials by logging into your Craftsy account using the user name and password you established.

How do I access the companion materials for my DVD class?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” area, select the “Classes” content. On this page, you’ll see all classes you’ve purchased from Craftsy. Simply select the desired class from your content list, and you’ll be presented with your selected class page. From the class page you can easily view, download or print the companion class materials, which are in the “Bonus Materials” tab on the class page. You can log in any time, and download or print the companion materials as many times as you like. Companion class materials are not shipped in the mail with your DVD, and must be accessed on Craftsy.com.

How do I stream my class on Craftsy.com?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” content, select the desired class. Stream the video on-demand from the class page any time you like; your viewing access is unlimited. You can stream your class from any computer, tablet or mobile device with Internet access.

Do I have to purchase a Craftsy Membership to get my class?
No, you do not. Every DVD purchased on Craftsy.com includes both the physical DVD in the mail and unlimited on-demand streaming access at Craftsy.com. These benefits are yours with or without a Craftsy membership.

Are DVDs included in a Craftsy Membership?
No, they are not. DVDs can only be purchased on an individual basis and are not included in Craftsy memberships. For non-members, DVDs are a flexible way to purchase only the classes you love best. For members, DVDs are a great choice to build an at-home library you can keep forever and enjoy any time, with or without Internet access.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship most physical products, including DVDs, to several International destinations. In addition to the USA and Canada, we ship to Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and most Western European countries. If you live outside these countries, you can still purchase digital items including memberships, individual streaming classes, and pattern downloads.

Do your DVDs work on international players?
Yes, our DVDs should be compatible with any DVD player in use today. All our videos have been created with all current Region Codes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8). If you have trouble viewing a DVD purchased from Craftsy.com, please contact Customer Service.

What is your return policy?
We want to be sure you’re satisfied. If you have trouble playing your DVD, if the content is not correctly presented on the DVD, or you are dissatisfied with the content of your class, we will work with you. Contact Craftsy customer service via email or phone. Upon your request, and upon your return of the DVD to us, we will refund your purchase price or send you another DVD to replace a damaged or incorrect DVD, whichever is your preference. If you do receive a full refund, your streaming video class will also be removed from your Craftsy account, so on-demand video access will no longer be available to you.