I got my toe-up sock project up and running, and it is turning out easier to do than I thought it would. I had to work the project before I could get an understanding of how it was done; just reading the directions alone wasn't helping me understand the process.
I started the sock using the waste yarn method of casting on. It is explained here:
waste yarn cast-on
1. I used 36 stitches, and made a short row toe. This toe was 2 inches long when finished, using fingering weight yarn and size 1 double point needles. I used 4 double point needles to hold the stitches, and 1 to work the stitches, for a total of 5 needles for the project.
2. Next was working on the foot for 4 1/2 inches measure from the toe - a total of 6 1/2 inches from the tip to where I wanted to start the gusset. (Toe = 2 inches & foot = 4 1/2 inches)
3. Then I started the gusset, that wedge shaped area that fits the sock over the widest part of the foot and ankle. On the first needle of the round, at the second stitch I increased 1 stitch using the M1 type increase, then knitted across to the last stitch on the 2nd needle, and did a M1 increase in the last stitch of the second needle. These 2 needles are the instep stitches. I finished that round and worked the next round without increases. Increases are made every other round, always in the 2nd stitch of the first needle and last stitch of the 2nd needle. I increased a total of 12 stitches on the first needle and 12 stitches on the 2nd needle.
This is where I'm at right now. I will work a short row heel, done in a similar way as the toe, using the stitches on the 3rd and 4th needle, while holding the stitches on needles 1 and 2 aside.
So this is the formula so far:
2 inches of toe
4 1/2 inches of foot
2 inches of gusset
2 inches of heel
to make a sock that measures 10 1/2 inches, for a foot that measure 10 1/4 inches long and 10 1/4 inches around at the ball of the foot.
I'll update as I progress on the sock.
Edey
