Just bought a vintage book called Doreen 2 needle socks. It cost .20 so it's no spring chicken. Yes, I am sock challenged and thought this was a good idea since I can't mahage DPNs and the long circ method just won't gel either no matter how many videos I watch. Anyway, the mens sock pattern I am trying calls for worsted weight on size 2 or 3 needles. The gauge is supposed to be 10 sts=1 in. I can't even come close. The best I can get on 2s is 5 sts=1 in. If I pull the yarn tight enough to get gauge the needles are going to bent into corkscrews.
My brain must be frozen because I can't see going to ones with worsted weight. Should I just go to sport or sock and try for the gauge? I wanted to get away from sock yarn but just can't see an out.

Hi, Just googled "doreen 2 needle socks" and it came up with a lot of hits. You sure made a good buy because the book is sold on the net for between $ 2.- and $10.-
But if you go to "freevintageknitting.com" you will find a lot of patterns from your book. As i understand, they adjusted them to the modern yarn and needle sizes. I hope this helpes you.

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Doreen 2 needle socks

I went to this web site which has free patterns for Doreen 2 needle socks.
http://www.freevintageknitting.com/socks.html

I would imagine, after reading the patterns there, that there is a misprint in either the gauge, yarn type, or needle size with your pattern. Check out this site and see if your pattern and their patterns are similar. By convention, 10 stitches to the inch would not be worsted yarn.

You won't get 10 stitches to the inch in worsted weight. Could they have meant that the *type* of yarn is worsted? (As I spinner I make worsted, semi-worsted, semi-woolen, and woolen *types* of yarn, in all weights. In fact, at present I'm spinning a worsted fingering weight for a pair of socks.)

In any case, if you want to use this pattern and use worsted weight yarn, the calculations aren't terribly difficult. Go up to a more useful size needle for worsted weight--say, 5 or 6, if you want a dense fabric--and check your gauge. Then, if the pattern is for 10 st/in, and you have 5 st/in, you can cast on half as many stitches. You'll determine what lengths you need for cuff, foot, and so on, in any case, so that's not more difficult. Where it gets trickier for someone new to socks is in the heel--but if you post the directions for it, some of us can make the adjustments for you.

Or-- :-)

I just used the link Bill provided, and there is a "Men's Heavy Socks" pattern that uses worsted with size 5s, so the work's already done. I suggest you check there.

Have you tried using 12" addi turbo circular needles. They really make the knitting mindless. You must remember to cast on very loosly, I leave 1/4" between each cast on stitch I never cast on less than 44 stitches. You will have to switch to double points for toe and unless you are very clever it is easier to use double points for the heel flap while keeping the unused stitches on the circular.
Clover and some other companies are coming out with 9" and 8" versions. I tried the 9" version in a size 8 and was not fond of them the needles were so short you could only hold them between your index finger and your thumb which made it hard to controll the point, the control did become easier once you had several rows knit.
Knitta

Well, I have been working on the pattern. The links provided are for a different sock book edition then mine, but am working with sport yarn and it's going a lot better. My feet are pretty wide and it looks like this is working much better. Just made minor adjustments in stitch width to work it out. My mind must have been on vacation when I asked the original question.
As to the Addis. No thank you. I dislike them A LOT! If I use a set it is Boye. Like their points much better and they don't slip out of my hands as much. Also like the fact I can just keep adding cables so I can make a huge queen sized blanket if need be and not just knit panels to sew together.

Don't you just love how we mange to all jump in and help each other out! Sounds like you have this little knitting mystery solved.