Stepping Stones Tube Socks
There is nothing like a perfectly turned heel when knitting a pair of socks. However if you are like me, sometimes you want to simply knit until you get to the toe without doing a heel turn. It is also a great way for a beginning knitter to finish off a sock with little fuss. And since there is no heel to contend with, every time you put a tube sock on your foot, your heel will land in a different spot on the sock, reducing wear and tear on the heel. Yarn: Fingering Weight, 460 yards. Needles: Size 2US (2.75mm) - 24" circular needles, or size of needle to get gauge. Notions: 2 stitch markers; Sewing needle Gauge: In pattern stitch - 9 stitches = 1 inch Cast on: 60 stitches and divide so that 30 sts are on each needle. Rib: Knit in K1, P1 ribbing for 20 rows (or approximately 2") I refer in the pattern to the "front needle" and the "back needle". This is how they appear when holding them ready to knit. The front needle is the one ready to knit.
Body of sock:
Round 1 - K3, P2 ending with P2 on the front needle; repeat on back needle. Continue to repeat rounds 1-10 until the body of the sock reaches the desired length. You may want to make these ankle socks or longer. Try them on to check the length, taking into consideration the foot plus the body going up the leg. When you have reached the desired length for the sock you will begin the Star Toe. The toe length wil be approximately 2". All rounds will be knitted.
Star Toe:
Round 1 - (set up round) K15, PM, Knit 15 on front needle. Repeat on back needle. Round 2 and all even rounds; on front needle K to 2 stitches before marker, K2tog, SM, K to 2 stitches before the end of the front needle, K2tog. Repeat on back needle. Round 3 and all odd rounds, K all stitches. Continue these rounds until you have 16 stitches left altogether. 8 sts on the front needle and 8 sts on theback needle. Break yarn leaving a 10" tail. Using a sewing needle and the 10" tail, transfer the sts from the front needle onto the sewing needle and repeat on the back needle, and then cinch the stitches tightly. Pull the tail through the center of the toe and turn sock inside out. You will want to sew the end in securely so that it doesn't unravel...I sew the tail in one direction around the circle that the stitches have formed and then reverse the direction and sew around again. I repeat this 3 times to secure the end. Cut the excess tail off when you are finished sewing in the end. Sew in end at the ribbing end of the sock and you are finished!
Abbreviatons
CO - cast on PM - place marker K - knit K2tog - knit 2 together P-purl SM - slip marker Sts - stitches
