If you’re learning to knit socks for the first time, let me make a bold suggestion: start from the toe up. There are two big reasons why I love this approach.
First, you’ll never have to worry about running out of yarn.
When you knit from the toe up, you can simply stop when you’re running low. No more playing a stressful game of "yarn chicken" at the toes! And if you’d like to make your socks longer later, you can always pick up your stitches and add a few more rows.
Second, starting from the toe helps you ease into using double-pointed needles.
You begin with just two, then add a third and fourth as the sock grows. It’s much less intimidating for new knitters than starting with a full set of four or five needles right away.
Now, let’s talk about materials and tools. I always recommend knitting your first pair of socks on size 5 needles. Why? Because they’re not as tiny as the needles many seasoned sock knitters use, which makes it so much easier to hold the yarn and see your stitches clearly.
And speaking of yarn — I love using 100% alpaca for beginner socks.
Yes, it’s true: alpaca doesn’t have nylon in it, so it might stretch a little more than a typical “sock yarn.” But hear me out.
Alpaca is soft, squishy, and incredibly comfortable to work with.
When you knit a pair of slipper socks to wear around the house — instead of worrying about making a pair that has to hold up in shoes or on errands — the experience becomes joyful and relaxed.
So, go ahead and cast on.
Knit your first pair of socks toe-up, with alpaca yarn and size 5 needles. They’ll be cozy, forgiving, and full of heart — just like every great first project should be.
