Hello!
Today is our second day of the Beginner Sock Knitting Class for Toe-Up Socks!
Every day for the next week I'll be sharing a tutorial filled with the how's and why's of constructing a sock from the toes through the cuffs. At the end of this week-long class I'll provide you with the Basic Toe-Up Sock pattern (with short-row heel) that I've used when filming the lessons so that you can cast-on a set for yourself or a loved one.
If you were hoping to learn how to knit socks from the cuff-down, I've got you covered. I released the free sock class earlier this month for my Basic Cuff-Down Socks (with a heel flap). That class walked you through the construction of the sock and was followed up with the release of the free pattern which you can now download from my pattern shop (kids sizing or adult sizing).
Today we'll be learning:
I've posted the video below along with a few notes and all the links you might need. If you have any questions, you can always email me directly: shaina@yumiyarns.com
Have fun & happy knitting!
Shaina ^_^
PS: The yarn featured in this tutorial is from from Suburban Stitcher in the Sea Smoke colorway. Suburban Stitcher is the featured indie dyer in January for the 2021 Indie Sock-a-Long, she generously provided yarn support for the January Socks and all of the Beginner Sock Knitting Classes being offered on YumiYarns.com in the month of January. You can find all of her beautiful colorways and bases on her site: SuburbanStitcher.com
Other Lessons in this Series:
Notes and Resources:
You can join the 2021 Indie Sock-a-Long for just $2 through the end of January, 2021!
Remember to sign-up for my newsletter to have the free Toe-up Sock pattern (in 12 sizes) delivered to your inbox as soon as it's released on January 27, 2021.
What is Stockinette?
Stockinette is simply the fabric you get when all your stitches on the Right Side of the fabric are knit stitches (all the bumps are on the Wrong Side of the fabric). You can tell it's stockinette because you will only see the interlocking "V's".
What Does "Vanilla" Mean?
"Vanilla" when used to describe socks/knitting/etc. just means that the pattern is plain and simple without anything extra. Usually this means a simple sock pattern done in stockinette (like we're making) or possibly a simple ribbing pattern. A vanilla pattern won't have an unusual construction and is generally the simplest form of a pattern so it's easy to memorize after you've made a few.
How to Measure the Sock Foot
When measuring your foot length, lay the sock out flat on a table & measure from the tip of the toe to where your needles currently are in the project. Don't lay the sock on a squishy surface like you leg or the couch cushion because this can distort the fabric and give you an incorrect measurement.
How to Measure Your Foot
You may need a friend to help you get your measurement.
Step 1: Stand barefoot on a smooth floor (not plush carpet).
Step 2: Measure from the back-most part of your heel that's touching the floor to the front-most point of your longest toe. This is your Foot Length.
Step 3: While still standing, slide your measuring tape under the widest part of your foot (usually just behind your toes).
Step 4: Wrapping the measuring tape across the top of your foot while still standing on it, measure all the way around your foot. This if your Foot Circumference.
Making Gift Socks
Gifting hand-knit socks can be a lot of fun but it can be difficult to get measurements from others, especially if they don't live nearby. Here's a link to a handy chart for picking a sock circumference and length of foot to knit based on shoe size from the Craft Yarn Council:
When to Stop Knitting the Foot
The foot of your sock is done when it is equal to your Foot Length minus your Heel Length. Most sock patterns will tell you how long to knit your foot so just follow the pattern.
If you're working a short-row heel (like we are in this class), you can also just measure the length of your toe before you begin knitting the foot. The length of your sock's toe will be very close to the length of the heel you will need so you can just assume the toe measurement is equal to the heel measurement. (Ex. My sock's toe is 1.75". My total foot length needs to be 10". Since 10 - 1.75 = 8.25, I know that I need to start my heel once my sock measures 8.25" from the tip of the toe to the live stitches on my needles.)
Arranging Your Stitches
When you're working the foot (especially when working a patterned sock), it is important to be mindful of which stitches will be on the top of your foot and which stitches will be on the bottom of your foot (and make sure that your heel ends up on the bottom of your foot).
In general, the stitches along the bottom of your foot will be worked in stockinette so that the sock is smooth and comfortable to walk on. The stitches along the top of your foot can have all sorts of patterning going on so arranging your stitches so that all instep stitches are on 1 or 2 needles and/or adding markers to show the difference between the top and bottom can be very useful.
Note: If you prefer to have your markers on the needle and not attached to your fabric, you can use the marker on your needle and put a couple of stitches on either side to keep it from sliding off. Just remember that the markers are what you're working to, not the openings of the needles.
That's it!
Next up, we'll start the Heel! I'll cover that in more detail in tomorrow's lesson. See you then!
More Sock Patterns:
$5.99 USD
(Linked to the YumiYarns shop)
Free!
(Linked to the YumiYarns shop)
$2.00 USD
(Linked to the YumiYarns shop)
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