I've been wanting to learn how to make socks but I'm a little scared. Every pattern a look at intimidates me. Does anyone have or know of a good pattern for me to use? Something that explains the steps in a little more detail for a novice like myself?

Go to the General Knitting forum on this board and scroll down. You'll see a topic I started called "Socks". I basically had the same question as you. I received a lot of great info from folks here that got me started. I cast on my first pair about a month ago now. I have since knit 3 pairs, 2 of which were my own designs. I would never had done it without the info I got here. It is a lot of fun (which I never expected) and very addictive.

I think it's Cottage Creations that makes a good sock pattern that explains step by step..but I would think you could find directions free online that would take you through the process in detail. Don't be intimidated-socks are such fun to knit!!

The socknitters yahoo group has a website with tutorials at www.socknitters.com. There are also some good DVDs for learning to knit socks. I hear Lucy Neatby has a great one.

There's a Socks 101 tutorial on the knitty.com site, which is where I finally got myself started, by knitting the sample baby sock in worsted weight yarn.

thanks everyone for your helpful responses. I'll let you know (and see) when I finish my first sock!

The free pattern with Regia sock yarn is very simple and straightforward and has instructions for a range of sizes too. This is the pattern I use time and time again, even when I use someone else's pattern, for heel and toe shaping and general measurements.

Debbie -- nice to hear from you!

AP
I lost my sock virginity with the pattern in Ann Budd's "Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns" and it was perfectly painless. Because it lets you knit to many sizes in any gauge, they actually fit!

AP-
Oy. Just saw your old PM. I miss them all the time -- the notification on this board is not exactly obvious. Sorry.

I have Ann Budd's getting started knitting socks. I just need to get up the courage to start.

This has always been one of my favorite sites for sock help:

http://www.royea.net/sockdemo1.html

Also the others listed above are great too. I have been knitting the exact same sock pattern for 12 years! However, I just bought some new yarn and I am going to try a cable pattern. I think the reason I knit the same pattern: for me socks are relaxing and mindless so I like the comfort of just knitting the same old thing----like comfort food only comfort knitting!

Ask around at your LYS you will find some one to help I am sure.

I think the issue for many people and sock knitting is the fear of knitting with double pointed needles. It looks much more complicated that it really is. When people comment about "all those needles," I tell them that I only knit with two at the time.

Also, there are many other ways to knit socks: magic loop (a technique I have not tried--magic loop frightens me <G> ), flat (why would anyone want to knit socks flat except for an Argyle sock perhaps), etc.

I thinkg the key is to sock knitting it to find a method to start with, use it until you get comfortable with it and then branch out.

Bill, please don't be afraid to try magic looping; it's fun!!!

Basically, you knit a sock with the instep on one side and the back on the other side. You just keep switching from one side to another. Just google for video's and it should be a lot clearer to you. Knittinghelp has a great video on it.
I really love magic loop now and do even two socks at a time, so no second sock syndrome ;-)