Hello!
Today is our first 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.
How to Make a Slip Knot (starts at 3:27)
A slip knot is simply a knot that creates a loop that can slide open and closed by pulling on either the tail or the loop. This is the usual way knitting and crochet projects begin. The loop counts as your first stitch. This one is difficult to explain without visuals so please make sure to watch the video starting at 3:27 if you need help learning this technique.
Judy's Magic Cast-On (starts at 2:50)
This is how you'll create a smooth stockinette toe-point. It can take a little getting used to, but it is really fun and is a great skill to learn. Here are a few tips to keep in mind so that casting-on goes smoothly for you:
Remember to hold your yarn opposite from how you would hold it for a Long-Tail or German Twisted Cast-On. The Tail end should be coming from your index finger and the ball end should be coming from your thumb.
Needles that have cables will be a bit more comfortable for working this cast-on than dpns will be.
When wrapping your stitches around the needle remember that you're always wrapping the yarn around the needle farthest away from the yarn and that you're working from the bottom to the top, outside to the inside (between the needles).
Slow down if you need to, it's not a race.
The inside of our sock has the purl bumps and the outside has smooth knit stitches.
Remember to lock your tail in place when working your set-up row. (See 9:02)
You do need to work a Set-up Round before your jump into your pattern or half of your stitches will be twisted.
Basic Set-up Round: Knit 1/2 of the cast-on stitches, place a marker, knit through the back loop for the second 1/2 of the cast-on stitches, place a beginning of round marker.
How to Tell if Stitches are Twisted
When you look at the stitch as it's sitting on the needle, the left leg of the stitch should be facing towards the back (away from you) and the right leg should be facing towards the front (nearest you).
How to Work a Wedge Toe
To achieve a tapered toe that isn't incredibly pointy we'll be increasing every round until we've reached approximately 1/2 of the stitches we need for the foot circumference we're making. (Ex: 32 stitches for a 64-stitch foot circumference.) After that we'll increase every-other round until we've reached our intended number of stitches for the circumference we're making. (Ex: 64 stitches for a 64-stitch foot circumference.)
Increase Round: *Knit 1, make 1 right (m1r), knit to 1 stitch before the marker, make 1 left (m1l), knit 1, slip the marker; repeat from * once more. (+4 sts)
Continue working only the Increase Round until you have 1/2 of the desired stitches for your sock size.
Knit Round: Knit all sts.
Alternate working Increase Rounds and Knit Rounds until you have the desired amount of stitches for your sock size.
Make 1 Right / m1r (starts at 15:19)
This technique adds 1 stitch to your active stitches and makes it lean to the right.
Step 1: Insert the left needle from back to front under the bar between active stitches to place it on the left needle.
Step 2: Knit into the Right Side leg of the bar to twist the new stitch and make it blend into the existing fabric while leaning right. (+1 st)
Make 1 left / m1l (starts at 17:02)
This technique adds 1 stitch to your active stitches and makes it lean to the left.
Step 1: Insert the left needle from front to back under the bar between active stitches to place it on the left needle.
Step 2: Knit into the Wrong Side leg of the bar to twist the new stitch and make it blend into the existing fabric while leaning left. (+1 st)
That's it!
Next up, we'll work on the Foot! 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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