Cybersocks
Denise's Toe-up Sock
Instructor: Denise Powell
We are fortunate to have Denise Powell, workshop and seminar specialist, as our instructor for this series of Cybersocks lessons - the toe-up sock. She starts us off with a preliminary assignment for different type of symmetrical increases so we can learn to make smooth increases in the toe.
Materials: You will need:
* Yarn of your choice. I am using Paton's Classic Wool and will need 1 100 gm ball to complete the pair of socks. The lessons will also sometimes show a pair I knitted in Koigu Premium Merino, which required two skeins.
* A set of double-pointed needles that will produce a nice firm gauge with your chosen yarn. For socks, this should be smaller than recommended on most ball bands. For example, Classic Wool shows its gauge as 20 st = 10 cm (5 st/inch) on 4.5 (US &) needles. I used 3.5 needles and worked at 24 st = 10 cm (6 st/inch)
* For the Square Toe cast on only, you will also need ONE double pointed needle of a smaller size (I used 2.5 mm).
* A tapestry or yarn needle, for the cast off
Why Start Socks from the Toes Up?
You do not need to know your gauge before you start!!! You simply have to know that the needles you are using produce a reasonably firm fabric for your yarn.
Don't worry about how many stitches to cast on - the answer is 8 (usually) for the square toe and 4 (always) for the pointy toe.
When you start at the toe, you simply make toe increases until the toe section fits the foot.
You make the foot section long enough to cover the foot up to the front of the ankle.
You make gusset increases for 4 to 5 centimetres (up to 2 inches), then turn the heel and make the backward equivalent of the heel flap.
You can try on the sock at any time.
You can knit the legs until you're almost out of yarn (my favourite technique) or stop sooner if you want.
Denise Powell
Knitting Design, Workshops, and Talks