Sock Knit-a-Long #6

Okay, our heel flap is done . . . now let's turn the heel!!
(we'll still ignore the stitches on the other needle and only work on the stitches at the end of the heel flap).

Row 1: Purl halfway across the row, plus 2 stitches, P2tog, P1 turn.
           (In my case, I had 32 heel stitches, so I purled 18 stitches, then purled
           2tog, then purled 1).
Row 2: slip 1 stitch as if to purl, K5, SSK, K1 turn
Row 3; slip 1 stitch as if to purl, P6, P2tog*, P1 turn
Row 4: slip 1 stitch as if to purl, K7, SSK, K1 turn
Row 5: slip 1 stitch as if to purl, P8, P2tog, P1 turn
Row 6: slip 1 stitch as if to purl, K9, SSK, K1 turn

Continue working in this manner until all the stitches have been worked. Drop the K1/P1 at the end when you run out of stitches.

*You should be 1 stitch before the 'gap' created so that when you P2tog you are closing the gap and creating a new one with the next P1 - that will be closed on the next row with the SSK.


The result is a cute little heel like this!



Go ahead and turn your heel. Tomorrow we'll work on the instep - also known as the gusset. (I don't like to call it the gusset . . .doesn't it sound intimidating? Instep sounds much friendlier!).

Here's another great sock book at the library.

More patterns to inspire you . . . If you don't have a lot of sock yarn in your stash, you may want to go shopping. I think you are going to love your socks so much that you won't wear any others. . . . and just think what a great gift they would be!

click here to place a hold

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

Sock Knit-a-Long #3

I've been knitting on my sock in the morning while I have my coffee. I have about 2 inches done.

 How about you? Do you have a few inches on your needles? Are you nervous that it might not fit? 

Here's a tip -
     Place all your stitches on a piece of scrap yarn. Tie the ends of the scrap yarn in a knot.





Now put your foot through it. If your ankle won't make it through, then you need to rip it out and start again with more stitches. (Better to find out now than when your sock is all done!) If your ankle fits through - put the stitches back on your needles and knit on without any worries!



 


Go ahead and keep knitting in the round in a K2P2 pattern for 6"-7", depending on how long you want you sock leg to be.

While you're knitting I thought I'd show you some of the sock books we have at the library.

Here's an excellent one. Nice basic instructions (with great photos). It's a great reference book if you are just starting with socks, but it also has some patterns with lace and cables if you want to be a little fancy!



to place a hold click here



More instructions for our sock knit-a-long and sock books to follow!

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

From the Library's Shelves

Have you ever been sitting in your favorite chair at home, happily knitting away and suddenly you are stumped by a technique or a term? I bet you wished you had your own personal knitting instructor sitting next to you.  Well, here's your chance.

A Knitting Glossary  puts Elizabeth Zimmerman and Meg Swansen in your living room giving you a private knitting lesson. Watch the whole video or jump around to a specific technique. Either way, you can't go wrong. Go ahead, go check it out of the library.

click here to place a hold

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

From the Library's Shelves

I thought I would give one last suggestion about holiday knitting. (I am worried that with back-to-school, work, and all those other things - called 'life' - that keep you busy . . . well I'm worried that you'll do it 'later').

In case you need a little prompting, the library has a lot of books for you to get your inspiration from. Here's one in particular . . . .

left click here to place a hold


Lots of quick and easy ideas. The book is broken into 'time' chapters - less than 2 hours, 2-4 hours, 4-6 hours . . .and so on. Projects range from baby booties, wrist warmers, cute toys and some sweaters.

But just because the title says Last-Minute . . . don't wait until the last minute.

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

From the Library's Shelves

I've gradually been working on my bucket list. I still need to see the Grand Canyon, be able to make Boston baked beans from scratch, keep a plant  in the house for more than one year without killing it and finish the Knitting Guild of America's Master Hand Knitting program.

But then one day at the library I noticed Knitter's Life List by Gwen W. Steege. I quickly checked it out. Suddenly my bucket list was 320 pages long! The book has everything from a who's who in the knitting universe to descriptions of every fiber you could ever knit with. Add to that, technique instructions, tons of tips and yes, a check-off list for anything that could possibly be on your knitting bucket list.

Don't worry, I returned the book right away. This was one I had to have in my own library. Go ahead, go to the library and check it out. Let me know if you also return it right away and buy your own copy.

left click here to place a hold on the book. 

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.