Toe-Up Socks Recipe: A Comprehensive Guide by Stephanie Carrico - knitsabout

Toe Up Socks Recipe Stephanie Carrico - knitsabout

Working socks from the Toe Up is an easy, no gauge method of sock construction allowing the knitter the freedom to knit- on in pursuit of hand knit socks without the frustration of finding just the right pattern for the needles and yarn at hand which will fit perfectly. Once familiar with the method you can add an infinite number of stitch patterns or color work designs to create your own one of a kind sock masterpieces.

Please note that there are an infinite number of ways to accomplish toes, heels, and bind offs for toe up socks. What is shared here are my standards. Every knitter has their preferences, what is right is what works for you. Feel free to substitute or modify at will until you find your perfect method.

Materials:

one set of 5 double point needles appropriate to the yarn\* selected (if only a set of 4 is available, add one ndl of the next smaller size to the set of four, it will only be needed for the toe) suitable yarn\* (note yardage will depend on weight of yarn and size desired) · markers orwasteyarn yarn needle \*Note: While the method lends itself to knitting socks with any yarn and needles, keep in mind that long wearing socks will be made of sturdy yarn knit at a tight gauge. Rather than knitting a swatch, use the toe of the sock as the measure of appropriateness of yarn and needles. Once you have the needed number of stitches following the directions below, stop and examine the toe. Are the stitches close enough together so that no space is visible between them? Does the fabric you made have the ability to stand on its own? If the answer to these is yes, and you are pleased with the result so far, proceed, if not rip it out and try again. Suggested cast on stitch counts for the toe are given in the table below based on desired size and weight of yarn. Tips for a custom fit are shared, for guidelines on size where the recipient is not available for fitting, measurements can be found at: http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/footsize.html support for techniques used here can be found on my blog: http://knitsabout.wordpress.cc

Double Stitch Short-Rows:

This varies from a wrap and turn as on the approach row you knit your turn stitch then, after turning, you pullthe working yarn over the top of the needle. As a result the “legs" of the stitch ride up forming a "double stitch" with two strands of new yarn in front and two legs of old stitch in back of the needle. An explanation with pictures can be found here: http://www.socktopus.co.uk/2011/02/short-rowsdouble-stitches/ Instructions: Knit or purl to the turn stitch (Note: in pattern the stitch count given includes the Turn Stitch). Turn work, slip first stitch on left needle as if to purl with yarn in front, pull yarn to the back, on

Toe Up Socks Recipe Stephanie Carrico - knitsabout

a purl row continue pulling yarn around needle and back to front. This entire procedure is denoted as T (Turn) in the directions. When working up the Turn stitches knit through both loops which present themselves.

Modified Bosnian Toe

Cast on the recommended number of stitches from the chart below based on size and yarn weight using one or two of your dpns and cast on method of choice. E Loop cast on is particularly suited. You will work a small rectangle which will wrap over the toes and from which you will pick up stitches to begin working the toe in the round. Work the suggested number of rows given below either in Stockinetor GarterStitch.

If last row knit is Ws, knit one additional RS row. RS: Leave the live stitches on one needle, take a second needle and pick up one stitch for every two rows knit flat (2-4sts) on the short side nearest the working yarn. With a third needle pick up one stitch for every stitch cast on from the next side (the cast on edge opposite your live stitches). With a fourth needle, pick up (2-4) stitches on the last short side (same as for the first short side). Place a marker at the start of your round. Begin working in the round with your fifth needle.

Round 1 and all odd rnds: Knit around.

Round 2: \*K into the st below the first st on ndl 1, do not drop stitch, knit into first st (1 stitch increased), knit to last st on ndl, k into st below, k last st\* Repeat \* \* for all four ndls (8 sts increased) Round 4 and all even rnds: Repeat increases as above (\* \*) on just ndls 1 & 3 (top and bottom of Toe). Continue as above until toe just reaches top of little toe when tried on (see picture at right), then work even for Foot.

Note: Stopping here gives the approximately 10% negative ease required for a close fitting sock.

Foot

Work even knitting all rounds until sock is required length. At this point the knitting will go faster if you arrange the stitches on three needles with top of foot stitches (40%) on one needle and the Heel stitches (60%) divided evenly on the other two needles. If 60% is not an even number, round up. Fitting Tip: For most people the length required for this part of the foot is achieved when the tip of the toe meets the live stitches when wrapped around the outstretched hand (thumb not included, see picture at right). If knitting for a recipient not at hand, you can usually talk someone their size into acting as a measuring dummy, provided you don't call them this to their face. Or use the Yarn Council guidelines noted above.

Toe Up Socks Recipe Stephanie Carrico - knitsabout

Short Row Heel

The heel will be worked back and forth over the two needles which have your Heel stitches (60% of the total stitches), the rest will remain on their needle, unworked until Heel is complete. Knit across heel stitches, turn, Ds (see directions above for Double Stitch) purl (or knit for Garter Stitch heel) to last stitch, turn. Repeat knitting or purling to st before Double Stitch, turn, DS, until the number of sts left between DS's is equal to the number of sts initially cast on for Toe, or for a shallower heel that number plus 2. On the next row \*knit or purl to the first DS, knit or purl catching both strands of yarn, turn. Sl 1(as if to knit on knit rows, as if to purl on purl rows)\*, rep \* \*. Continue until all DS sts are worked. If last row was not a RS row, turn and work one RS row across heel. To eliminate holes at Heel pick up one st before and after working top of foot stitches. Decrease these on the next round by knitting the first st tog with first stitch on top of foot and the second one by ssking it with the last stitch on the top of foot.

Cuff

Knit even until Cuff is desired length. Note: For my desired height, I fold my sock at the Heel and when the Cuff is an inch shorter than the Foot, I start my ribbing. You can make the Cuff as short as you like, but if making it any longer, you will need to add stitches to account for the swell of the calf. Work desired ribbing for 1-2 inches. Knit 2, purl 2 ribbing is the most stretchy and recommended. If stitch count is not divisible by 4 work one or two kfb to add the stitches required.

Bind Off

A stretchy bind off is critical to successful Toe Up socks. Several methods can be used. I have used Elizabeth Zimmerman's sewn bind off for years with good result. Directions for this can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qtiYjwMAiu&hd=1 Alternatively: \*BO 2sts, return st from RN to LN, k1\* rep \* \* around. Regardless of which method you use, use the tail end to clean up the space between the first and last stitch by running the yarn below both loops of the first stitch and back through the last stitch. Run end in.

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