Or just a larger needle. Some day I will attempt a pair of socks for me. But first, I will finish all the projects underway here.

Dixie Rose, I have yet to attempt socks with fingering weight yarn, although I have purchased some for that purpose. I made several pair with Caron DazzleAire that were nice and soft, but not something I could wear in a shoe. They are slipper socks. But my sister in law routinely wears heavy socks and loved them. Anyway, to answer your question, I don't think you could just use 2 strands of yarn or larger needles and continue to use the same pattern. You would be better off using a pattern that specifically called for heavier yarn. Otherwise your gauge will be off and you would have to try to figure out how to adjust the pattern to make them fit.

Are you working from the top down or toe up? Sometimes the slowest part is the cuffs when you're doing ribbing. Then after you turn the heel and do stockinette on the foot it goes more quickly. Are you using double pointed needles, 2 circulars or magic loop? Some find that knitting socks on 2 circulars or using magic loop is faster.

I wouldn't use larger needles than specified. Socks are knit at a tighter gauge for better wear. Double stranding may give you uncomfortably thick socks unless you go up sufficiently in needle size and cast on fewer stitches. If you decide you want to abandon the socks, then you could also use the sock yarn for lace scarves. I find that it's slow going at first because of the small needles and fingering weight yarn but maybe you can find a good movie to rent and watch while doing the foot part. Because they are small, socks can be a great take-along project for waiting times while commuting, at kids' games, doctors' offices etc. And they make wonderful and useful gifts!

Thanks, y'all for your comments. Threejsmom, you are right, the K2, P2 ribbing was slow going. I decided to work the entire sock top in the ribbing, so no wonder it was so slow.

The yarn I'm using is Schoeller & Stahl Socka Color and it's working up in beautiful rainbow stripes. The pattern is Classic Socks for the Family by Yankee Knitter Designs.

After re-reading my original posting, I think I mostly needed to vent my frustration. Since then, I've been diligently applying myself to the needles and now the sock top is 9 inches long -- another 3 rows and I start the heel!

There's no way I'm abandoning this project. This pair is a surprise present for my new husband. He's never had a pair of real wool socks before and I think he is in for a real treat.

I'm thinking that some of my frustration was due to my 20-year vacation from knitting and also because I'd been crocheting with fatter yarns that work up quickly.
Now I'm wondering why I waited so long to pick up sock knitting again.

I'm still planning to make two more pairs of socks as Christmas gifts for my sons, however I'm planning to make heavier socks for theirs. One of them likes wearing heavy socks with his Birkenstocks and the other son is into hiking and mountain biking.

Concerning using two strands of the yarn: I'm going to knit a swatch on No. 4 needles and check the gage, then decide if its suitable for socks.

Again, thanks for your feedback. I live way out in the country and don't know of anyone in this area who knits.
Knitting is not big in the South and experienced knitters are few and far between.

It is a bit slow going with that thin yarn, but you'll have a very nice pair of socks when done. Sometimes sock knitters feel discouraged after finishing one sock, only to have to start over on the second sock. I invested in a second set of needles in the same size and work on two socks at once. In other words, knit to a certain point on one stock and then on the other, so that when finishing, both are done. Good luck.

Susan

I have to tell you that socks are some of my favorite things to do. And I love doing them out of fingering yarn. Knitted socks can last for years with good care -- I have one pair that is over 40 years old that my Mom made for me. They are heavy so I don't wear them much but they ar wonderful ( they were skating socks.)

I made my husband several pairs of socks. He loves the warmth on his feet in the winter. Don't stop -- they are really a gift of love.

Cathy

Im one of those man knitters, ya one of those, i made toe socks for both my girls. i use 4 needles for them.
the whole trick to speed with these(or any progect) is to learn european knitting, thats where the wool is held in the left hand instead of the right while the right hand just "flicks" the needle . this method takes some getting use to for anyone use to american style of knitting but once you get the hang of it can you ever fly
most knitters are astonished when i show them that i can purl two row to there knitting one .
so look this up YOU WILL LIKE IT

Well, I can say that it takes a LOT longer to knit a pair of socks when every 'pair' has three socks. I've done two pairs of socks this way. It goes like this: knit one sock incorrectly. Knit the second sock correctly. Knit the third sock with the yarn from the first sock to match the second sock. Now you're done. I'd love to just be able to knit two socks. That would be great! LOL!!

threejsmom,

what is a magic loop? I have avoided knitting socks because I haven't mastered double pointed needles.

debbeeanne, magic loop is knitting socks on one long circular needle. It's a little difficult to explain, but if there is someone close by who could show you how or how to use 2 circulars to knit them, it's not hard to learn. There is a small book out called the Magic Loop, but I'm not sure where mine is right now to give you more info on it. I've explained it somewhere on this forum somewhere! Or tried to. Keep trying with the double points, it takes a while to get used to, then try the other methods. You don't even have to make socks to practice. Try wrist warmers. Just cast on and k2, p2. Depending on what weight yarn you practice with, how many sts to cast on.

iDixieRose, the lady who owns our local yarn shop, says it takes her a weekend to make a pair of socks, IF she does nothing esle but knit! Remember, you don't have to rib the whole cuff of the sock. You can rib the first couple of inches, then do all st st until you get to the heel.

I'm doing a pair right now using the same yarn you are! I don't remember the color, but the outside of the ball looked red, white, blue, but it sure isn't just those colors! They are gorgeous! DD wants them, but I purposely made them bigger for me, so she can't steal them!

Tami

Debbeeanne,
Below is a link to an excellent tutorial on Magic Loop. On that page you will also find a link to the 2 circulars method. They are alternative ways to knit in the round if you don't like fiddling with double pointed needles.

Here is a link that might be useful: magic loop

I'm making a tie for my brother with sock yarn on size 00 needles. With Continental style of knitting, it doesn't seem too bad, but I'm just starting! I'll tell you if it gets boring.