Sock Knit-a-Long #7

Time for the instep!

Using another needle, pick up stitches along the left side of your heel flap. Pick up half as many stitches as rows worked on the heel flap, or pick up one stitch into each of your slipped stitches.

I had 32 heel stitches and 32 rows in my heel flap, so I should pick up 16 stitches along the side.




There, by picking up a
 couple more stitches
  I am right next to the stitch
 on the next needle.

See the gap? I would
have a hole in my sock!

Use this number as a guide . . . when I picked up 16 stitches I found a gap between the last picked up stitch and the stitches being held on the other needle. . . . so I picked up another two. (Just make sure you make it even and pick up the same number on the other side of the heel flap).











Next knit across the stitches that were being held on the other needle.
Then pick up stitches along the right side of the heel flap, again make sure you pick up the same amount as you did on the left side.










You now have stitches on 4 needles, but we'll go back down to three . . . just knit half of the stiches off the needle holding the heel flap stitches.

If that sounds confusing - using needle #2 ,knit half of the stitches on needle #1.

Here's the K2tog
 slanting to the right. 

It's time to shape the instep!!
Knit across the remaining heel stitches and then knit to the last 3 stitches on needle #4, K2tog, K1.

Knit across the next needle.
On the last needle, K1, SSK, knit to the end.

Next row, Knit across.

(Remember my post about decreasing? Using the K2tog and the SSK in the same row will make a nice line on your sock instep).




Keep repeating these two rows until you have decreased back down to your original amount of stitches that were cast on.

I had 64 stitches, I still have 1/2 of my stitches on the middle needle (the ones held there while I did my heel flap), so I want to decrease on each of the other needles until I have 16 stitches left on each.





Phew!! That was a lot to do  . . . make sure you have your coffee before you attempt it! Once you have the instep done, continue working evenly until the length of the foot is about 2 1/2 inches less than the desired length of the sock.

Oh . . . don't forget to tell your friends you made a gusset . . . . they'll be so impressed with you.

Tomorrow we'll make room for our piggy toes.

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

 

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 #5

Finally! I have worked the K2P2 ribbing for 7" for my leg . . . I am ready to start the fun stuff! First is the heel. Are you ready too?





   
Before you start your heel, you want to have 25% of your stitches on the first needle, 50% on the second needle and 25% on the third needle.

I have 64 stitches - so I put 16 stitches on needle #1, 32 on needle #2 and the last 16 on needle #3.







So far so good!




Next I'm going to knit across the stitches on needle #1 with needle #3. I will end up with just two needles and
50% of my stitches on each needle.

In my case I have 32 stitches on each needle.

(If you find it too awkward to knit across using needle #3, use your fourth needle and then just slide them onto needle #3 when you finish the row).


Okay, time for the heel flap!

Row 1: Slip 1 stitch as if to purl, purl to the end.
Row 2: *Slip 1 stitch as if to purl, knit 1 stitch*. Repeat from * to * to the end of the row. (slipping the first stitch will make it easier to pick up stitches along the edge later).

Here is the front of my
heel flap.

This is the back side of my
heel flap.

Work as many heel rows as you have stitches for the flap. In my case, I have 32 stitches, so I will work 32 heel rows. (Or, 16 repeats of Row 1 & Row 2).

End with a knit row. 








Okay, go ahead and do yours . . . tomorrow we'll turn the heel!

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

Sock Knit-a-Long #4

I'm still working away on my sock. When my mind starts to wander, I let myself daydream and try and imagine the kingdom of Henry VIII. I'm glad I wasn't the one to knit the socks he wore at the end of his reign (I'm also glad I wasn't one of his wives!). If he gained the weight history claims . . . well, that would take me a long time on my little double-pointed needles. 

While you are working on your sock, check-out Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.
She provides a great background on the evolution of hand-knit socks and patterns. When you're ready to try different types of heels and toes designs, her book will give you lots of options. There are also patterns for everything from a plain man's winter sock to a fancy infant's sock. Check it out. It's a great read for any sock lover.

click here to place a hold



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

CD Designs Trunk Show

I'm still working away on my sock . . . but I'll have to admit the K2P2 ribbing is getting a little on the boring side. I'm glad we're doing them together - it will make me stick to it! But on the other hand, I don't have any other projects started. I have finished the scarf and also the Lingering Doubts shawl I was working on. They both need to be blocked and since I don't have any lace blocking wires, so I plan on visiting The Wool Basket today.

Good thing I took this
 picture, I realized my
 crochet hook is missing.
Where did I leave it?!

I purposely waited until today since The Wool Basket is having a trunk show tonight of knitting bags from CD Designs. I already have one of her bags . . . and I love it. There are pockets inside that give me a space for everything I need to grab quick. It's made of a durable fabric so it stands up but yet it's flexible too (mine has gone cross-country, to the library and  
                              everywhere in between).

Here's another bag by CD Designs . . .

 

You should go to The Wool Basket and check them out tonight. It's located at -

19 Depot Street,
Duxbury, MA 02332.
 (781-934-2700).

The trunk show is at 7:00 PM. Go ahead and pick up a gift for one of your knitter friends. Better yet, treat yourself . . . you're worth it.
(You can always pick up some yarn to put in there too!)

Tell them The Library Girl sent you.






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.

Sock Knit-a-Long #2

Did you buy your yarn yet? I am going to use a blue/green blend of wool, nylon and bamboo from Plymouth Yarn. I did my gauge swatch and I am getting 8 stitches per inch. Next I measured the widest part of my foot, and I got 8". So . . . 

gauge x foot measurement = number of stitches to cast on.

In my case, 8x8=64. I will cast on 64 stitches.

Since we are doing a ribbed leg, just make sure your number of stitches is divisible by 4 and then the K2P2 pattern will be accommodated. If your number is not divisible by four, just add or subtract a stitch or two until it is.

Go ahead and cast on. Use either the long-tail cast on or the cable cast-on for a firm edge that will also have a little flex to it. Divide the stitches onto 3 needles, be careful not to twist any, and join. (I always cast on one extra stitch when I knit in the round. Then I take the last stitch from the right-hand needle, slip it to the left needle and I knit the first two stitches together. It helps make the join a little neater.)

Work in a K2P2 rib for a few inches.

More to follow tomorrow.

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