If you've never knit a sock before you may be a little intimidated at the thought of how big a project a pair of socks for an adult human is (the Yarn Harlot says there are about 20,000 stitches in just one adult sock). But you don't have to start with grown-up socks right out of the gate. Or even socks that will fit a human at all, though this would probably would fit a small person if you happen to have one around.

The finished little practice sock is kind of cute. © Sarah E. White.

My learn to knit a sock sock is a basic medium weight sock worked on largeish double-pointed needles from the top down. It will take you through all the basic parts of a sock and you'll be through the heel turn so fast you'll barely even know it happened.

And if you are still worried about that heel turn, stay tuned, because we'll tackle it in more depth tomorrow.

I have unofficially declared it to be the Summer of Socks, because socks are an easy, portable, fun project for summer that it's not too hot to knit wherever you happen to be.

A little practice sock is a great way to start sock knitting. © Sarah E. White.

Whether you're an old pro at socks or on the fence about casting on your first pair, there's a lot to love about sock knitting. In fact, I came up with seven good reasons to knit socks, and I'd love it if you'd add yours to the comments below.

And if you're one of those knitters who hasn't yet taken on the sock, I hope the information and resources I'll share through the rest of this month will help you lose your fear and cast on with confidence. It's just yarn, and they're just socks; no big deal!

As soon as I was done knitting this little treasure bag my daughter asked, "Can I have that?" That's a pretty sure sign of the success of a project.

Knit Treasure Bag. © Sarah E. White.

I took it back from her so I could write up the pattern, but it's already being used to hold the girl's rock crayons. I figured it would also be good for holding actual rocks, or (in a different colorway, maybe) toy cars or other treasures and trinkets your kids like to keep on hand (or in their pockets).

It's also a great project to use just a bit of yarn. I used about 70 yards of a ball of Berroco Floret, a pretty blend of acrylic and cotton that's soft, machine washable and should stand up pretty well to all the use it is sure to get.

There are tons of different ways to get stitches on the needle to start knitting, but most of us probably only use one or two throughout most of our knitting careers.

"The KNITFreedom Video Guide to Cast Ons" by Liat Gat.

That's a shame, because it's fun to learn new skills and try out different cast on methods. Also, some techniques are actually better than others for particular uses.

Liat Gat shares almost 40 different ways to cast on, as well as why you might want to use a particular method and tons of good tips for whatever cast on you use, in her video series/ebook "The KNITFreedom Video Guide to Cast Ons."

Here you'll find lots of good basic information like how to make a slip knot or what to do when you run out of long tail three stitches from the end of your cast on.

You'll also learn some fun cast ons you might not have heard of, like my personal favorite, the Chinese waitress cast on. For sheer entertainment and educational value, you can't go wrong.