For this one I am combining links to instruction on how to magic loop using circular knitting needles, providing you with a simple top down pattern, short row heel with wraps, and instructions on how to graft your toe using the kitchner stitch for a seemless toe.
Materials:
100 gms finger weight sock yarn, either in a 100 gm hank or two 50 gm balls
US size 2 circulars, (I use size 3 square needles but I knit tightly, so more important to pay attention to your gauge)
Tapestry Needle100 gms finger weight sock yarn, either in a 100 gm hank or two 50 gm balls
US size 2 circulars, (I use size 3 square needles but I knit tightly, so more important to pay attention to your gauge)
tapestry needle for grafting the toe and weaving in the ends.
Basic Directions:
Preparations:
1. If using a hank, divide into 2 equal parts. I like to wrap my yarn into cakes and pull from the center. I have a ball winder at home but if you don't have one then now is the time to go to your local yarn store. Most local stores have swifts and ball winders and they can help you with making the proper size cakes. If you ask nicely!
2. knit a gauge swatch*, needed so that you can just measure the persons foot or based on their shoe size make a basic sock based on their measurements. most important measurement is from instep to top of ball of foot( or the lowest point where your toes begin.)
cool link with a chart with common measurements: Shoe_sizeokay lets start knitting
1. Cast on 64 sts using size 2 needles and yarn from ball one. Make sure this method is kind of stretch, I like the long tail cast on method because it is stretch and leaves a beautiful edge which will be the top edge of your sock.
here is a link to a beautiful PDF pattern with pictures on how to do a long-tail cast on
2. Using the yarn from the other ball, cast on 64 stitches just like in step 1 using the same needle side used in step one two.
3. now lets set up the magic loop. What is magic loop? Visit http://www.knitting-and.com/wiki/Magic_Loop
- on the first sock count 32 stitches, push these onto the needle and pull some of the cable out between the two sets of 32 stitches.
- Do the same for the second sock but placing the other sock on the other needle.
- Make sure the live yarn is handing on the right and in the back.
- You are going to be pulling the yarn from the back to knit in the round with a split between the socks. Make sure you are using only the yarn used for each socks otherwise your socks will be knit together
4. Do 2x2 rib for 1 inch.
5. Switch to straight knitting for about 6 inches
6. Time for the Heel.
We are going to do a short row heel.
These are the instructions I use:
short row Heel
but here they are for your convenience without pictures.
Work with only one sock at a time,until I tell you otherwise
- Count half your stitches (32 if that is your gauge). These will be your heel stitches.
- Slip,knit to 1 before the end.
- turn, slip the first stitch, purl to one before the end
- turn, slip the first stitch, knit to 2 before the end.
- Turn, slip the first stitch, purl to two before the end.
- Keep Going like this, turning, slipping the first stitch, and knitting to 3 before the end, than 4, than 5, and so on and so forth, each time you’ll be leaving a stitch behind and having less and less stitches to knit. Keep going until you’ve got 10 stitches
- Ok, so.. You should be ready to do a knit row. Slip the first stitch, knit to one stitch before the gap
- Slip the stitch before the gap onto the right hand needle, pick up the bar running between the gap and put it on the right hand needle
- Knit the slipped stitch and the picked up bar together
- And thats how you close a gap on the right side. Now turn, slip the first stitch, and purl to one stitch before the gap
- Slip the stitch before the gap, pick up the bar running between the gap, and put it on the right hand needle
- Purl the slipped stitch and the picked-up bar together
- Keep going like that, Turning, slipping the first stitch, knitting to the stitch before the gap, slipping it, picking up the bar, and knitting them together, until you’ve closed all the gaps
8. Working on both socks again
9. Work plain knit socks. (If these are for you keep trying them on until you get to where your toes begin. ) knit for about 6 inches.
10.per 32 set: knit 1 Decrease, knit across until 3 stitches remain, decrease, knit 1 until you have a total of 24 stitches left for each sock.(12 on both sides)
11. Graft your toes and weave in the ends!
How to graft your toe using live stitches:
Knitty has a great tutorial on how to graft using the Kitchener stitch which will give you a seamless toe.
here is the link: grafting
Okay so I am currently knitting these socks, I will update with pictures as I go If you do this pattern or would like to add something please contact me.
