Beaded Ruffled Cuff Techniques for Toe-Up Socks: A Comprehensive Guide by Wendy McDonnell

Beaded Ruffled Cuff for Toe up Socks

by Wendy McDonnell

This mini e-book will cover the bind off area of the toe up socks. I like to add beads to my plain Vanilla Socks (socks with no pattern plain st st or K2P2) or you could take this technique and take it through your other knit wear as well. Since there are so many great books out there showing how to knit a pair of socks this is not another technique booklet. Rather than a technique booklet for knitting socks - this is just my favorite beading techniques which I have honed through the years to add a little bling. If you need technique patterns check out the free toe up sock patterns on my Ravelry page. My personal account there is WendyMcD or search for designer's name there Wendy McDonnell. On www.YouTube.com you can find each step of the toe up process which I adore due to being able to use up all the yarn. Hey it's expensive, we need to use it all up. :-) @ You can use as many as 3 tubes of 6/0 beads or just a few at the b/o either way I will guide you through my process which will really eat up the beads. I like to get a container and just dump a pile together for a rainbow which will suit me on many socks but then I love to bead. Before I get into the cuff let me explain how I knit my beads into my work. We are using the crochet hook placement method which requires a size 13 - 16 (very fine-small) crochet hook. You can get these at www.EarthFaire.com. If you aren't familiar with the placement method it just means that fill your crochet hook with size 6/0 beads and place the hook around the loop where you want the bead, then slide the bead onto the yarn... knit (or purl) the stitch. You can find video's of this technique and all that write about on www.YouTube.com. I purchase my beads at www.firemountaingems.com as they are the cheapest and give quantity discounts. The best place to put your bead is on the wrong side of your work, this really makes the beads come to the front of the knitting. Since we are making a cuff this would be in the purl ditch of your K2P2 cuff. Not the knit st as that will sink into the fabric, when placing it on the purl, it will show up on the back or inside and then when turned to make a cuff, the beads will show very well on the front side. Some times I will put some beads at the ankle, about 1-2" above the heal turn, keep in mind that when placing beads at the ankle you will not be turning the cuff down so you want to add these on the knit st. Alternatively you can skip all the way to the edge and add a beaded ruffle. Or you can just bead the b/o all will be included here you just need to decide which you will use.

BEADING THE K2P2 CUFF

Here you can see that there are beads throughout the cuff in this photo. This is the way to do make that happen. Row 1: K2, P1 PB on purl P1 (the beaded st), around Row 2: K2P2 around Row 3: K1, PB P2 around Row 4: K2P2 around Bead more or less as you wish. Do this for as long as you like then move on to

the ruffle or b/o.

THE RUFFLE

Ruffles are a snap to make and they really add a feminine touch to the edge.

When working on a standard size, 60 st sock you will have 15 K2 and 15 P2. This is the amount you need to make a ruffle. Any number divisible by 4 will work for this ruffle. Keep that in mind as you come to it. When you are ready to insert the ruffle work it like this in every (or every other) purl ditch as this will be the knit st when turned cuff's turned. Row 1: K2, yo, p1, yo, p1, yo around Row 2: K2, P2 PB P3 (3rd P of 5 is the beaded st) around Row 3: K2, P2, yo, P1, yo, P2 around Row 4: K2, P3, PB, P4 around This is just a short ruffle you could go on repeating these rows just increasing the count as you go.

You can bead as much or as little as you like, experiment with this till you are satisfied. What follows is a ton of beads. You literally bead every time you make a fresh loop or st. PB on st on left needle, K1 (the beaded st) PB on this st again (its now on the right needle) and on the st on the left needle, K1 from left needle, PB on new st. Now there are 2 beaded sts on the right needle, K2tog tbl, PB on new st, draw a new loop through same st and PB on it.. this will give you a nice elastic edging.

PICOT BIND OFF

I love this edging and have been using it for years. If you did not make the ruffle you can still make a bit of a ruffly edging with the beads. Just add 2 beads to the last item above under bind off. Or make picots of beads between the sts. To do so just place 3 beaded loops (PB chain 1 -or yo right needle pull st on right needle over - 3 times) then sl st through first loops st, not the loop but the st just below the loop. This will make a loop of beads there as shows in the dark pink sock with light pink beads. This is so much fun as I'm sure you will agree. . On the right is my Seeds N Beads sock pattern which I added here as it's got the beaded picot bind off which has very light amount of beading on it. You just chain 2, PB, ch 2 sl st back into the beginning st. B/o 2 sts between picots and repeat the picot. This I have also found on YouTube.

Enjoy beading your socks

The Perfect Ending

Weave in all ends, suture and duplicate stitch any places as needed. Hand wash your new socks in cold water with a good shampoo, rinse well, then use a good, thick hair conditioner on them. Rinse well and block, laying flat to dry. I use Suave shampoo and Suave conditioner as wool is hair... makes sense. The green conditioner leaves a bit of sparkle behind in your garments which is always fun. Wear your new socks in good health.

This copyrighted pattern is written and designed by Wendy McDonnell of www.wmdramble.blogspot.com for your own personal, noncommercial use and pleasure. It may not to be distributed, copied or published without prior written confirmation. You may not reproduce the pattern for distribution, sale, or any other purpose. Finished items made from this pattern may not be sold. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited. Wendy can be reached at wmdress@sbcglobal.net Lebec, CA August 2011