Monday, April 30, 2007
First post here...
I've been a member of the First Toe Ups group since fall, but I've never posted before, as I never had anything to post about before. But right now I am working on my first ever pair of socks, which also happen to be toe-up, so I thought I'd finally make an appearance here.



They are made of hand-dyed KnitPicks Bare (the superwash/nylon version), and are being knit sans pattern, roughly following the Knitty Universal toe-up for now, though I'll be doing an afterthought heel and might do something resembling ribbing from the heel up because row after row of just stockinette is getting boring.

The photo is a few days old, they are at least an inch longer than they were when I took it.


Sunday, April 29, 2007
Thank You


My gd modeling my first pair of toe ups. You cannot see the holes on the wrapped stitches. Thank you for the info on the video. I watched it last night and the pair I'm working on now is coming out much better. I'm also using a different pattern the one from Kitty 2006. I think I like that heel better. Film at 11.Michele in Pa



Saturday, April 28, 2007
Help
help help
I did not want to post until my daughter returned with the camera and the photo of my first pair of toe up.
But I'm on my second pair and the heel still eludes me. On the first pair I use the short row heel and ended up with a lot of holes, so on my second pair I was trying to use the rounded heel. but It just does look right. I love the toe up and would love to all my socks this way but I get to the heel and I am lost. Does anyone know of a video on short row? Please Help
Michele in Pa


First-Sock Slogging

Here we go... drink it in while it exists in this state. I am about to frog it again. My sock is learnin' me. When I picked up and then dropped the heel wraps, using those itty bitty needles, and had to rip back to redo several rows three times, I finally decided to just let those wrap babies stay un-picked-up. As long as I didn't end up with giant portholes, I was going to be happy.
On the other hand, now that I've gotten this far (plus another 1/2" than the picture shows), I've decided the sock is just too small. It feels okay on the foot for the five minutes I admire it, but after I take it off I feel like I'm still wearing it for half an hour. I'm thinking I need a much deeper heel than I think my pattern is written for. Or, maybe it's something to do with my lovely new Tension Issues. I am seriously considering changing to a flap heel.

These may move forward and back, but I am still enjoying the toe-up sock thing. Once I get a sock that fits me, I'll be good for at least this one whole pair.


Wednesday, April 25, 2007
One down!
















My first finished toe up sock!! My Knitty Gritty, Cookie A. way cool socks!! I'm so proud :)


I havent done much over the last little while,the usual thing! TOO many things going at once,but i have done abit to these gorgeously soft socks that are destined to Hubby!
Now Ive put a close up of heel turn and am wondering if I have some how reversed the increases down to heel instead of up...
Any comments?
I love this BFL,its so soft,cant wait to start my own in the bright colours of yellow, pink and red!



Monday, April 23, 2007
That's not the way you're supposed to do it ...
... but I don't care. I tried to start toe ups using a bunch of different methods and just couldn't get it right. So I got out the Queen Kahuna pages I'd printed and did it that way. My cast on edge remains kinda garter stitch looking but it is closed and I know it will be inside my shoe so I carried on up the foot using instructions from the trusty FiberTrends Magic Loop booklet.

And the yarn!!! I just got in this fabulous soft cushy cotton/lycra sock yarn and I am IN. LOVE. It is soooo soft and knits really quick on larger needles. I'm knitting on US5's because I knit tightly, but most people would probably use 3's or 4's. I dyed this yarn using Procion MX dyes and was surprised at how light it came out. But I'm enjoying how it's knitting up...really soft and pretty.


Friday, April 20, 2007
Jack Sparrow Socks
I finally finished my Jack Sparrow socks and the recipient was very happy with them. It was my first attempt at stranded colourwork and I really enjoyed it.

If anyone plans on knitting this but is reasonable new to toe-up socks I recommend keeping at copy of Wendy's Generic Toe-Up socks pattern handy as the Jack Sparrow pattern doesn;t walk you though the short-row heels/toes.






Pattern: Jack Sparrow Socks/Wendy's Generic Toe-Up
Yarn: Lornas Laces Shepherd Sock - Camoflauge and Natural
Opal Uni - Brown
Needles: Clover Takumi Bamboo 2.5mm
Modifications: I increased the amount of stockinette between the heel and the skull pattern to achieve the length desired by the recipient.

Labels:



Thursday, April 19, 2007
I started my first toe up socks using Wendy's pattern and have loved it from the start. I wonder why it's taken me so long to use this technique for sock knitting? I'm sure I'm not the only one. I know this is not the first photo but I wanted to show you that I needed to frog my first attempt because I found the stitches that I picked up at my provisional cast on where quite loose. It's hard to see here but if you look closely at the distinct line created by the change of colour, you might be able to see it. Fortunately, at this stage, you don't have a lot to frog so it really didn't hurt me too much. ;o) I used some fine crochet thread to start my provisional 'crocheted' cast on the second time around and although it was a bit fiddly picking those itty bitty stitches up, it looks a LOT better. You really can't see a difference in the stitches at all now.


So now I'm away and loving every minute of this technique. I can see now that toe ups will become my favourite method of sock knitting. I love that I'll be able to use up *all* the yarn and not be left wondering if in fact, I'll even have enough yarn to finish a sock as we do when knitting from the top down. This has inspired me to try a top down jumper (sweater) as well. I'm sure I'll learn lots of nifty little secrets when I start that project as well.



I actually started these a week ago and am about to cast off that first sock. I plan on using EZ's sewn bind-off. The most unusual fact for me, is that I can't wait to knit the second sock. There's a gazillion other patterns out there that I'd like to try and I have a ton of sock yarn (and still buying....shhhh) but yes, I'm loving these toe-ups SO much that I'm busting to start sock two! Yay!

Oh....... the yarn is Trekking colour #100 and I'm using 2.25mm Ivore dpn's which I LOVE for sock knitting. Just wish they came in shorter a length.



Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Progress report


I am to the heel!! The wrap and turns were not nearly as scary as I thought they would be.






(See my Virginia Tech jammies in the picture?)

Oh I love my Knitty Gritty Cookie A. socks.

I may never knit socks from the top down again.


Friday, April 13, 2007
Ahhh...much better

After my minor toe woes (a too-narrow toe start), my piggies are enjoying some breathing room. So far the sock fits perfectly.
My "helper" is trying to remove one of my circs.
I find it interesting how different the yarn looks from the ball to the sock. The colors of this yarn are such that I often think, "I am knitting dirty socks." The beiges are grayed in places. However, when I take it out from under my nose, put some distance on it and try it on, I think it looks great!


Thursday, April 12, 2007
I've started
Hi! My name is Kellie and I have been a member of this blog for a while, but have been very afraid to start my first toe ups. Well, all it took was an episode of Knitty Gritty where my sock knitting idol Cookie A. shared one of her patterns. That was it. I had to make them. So, here is what I have so far, after only ONE frogging!


I'm very proud of myself, and I am moving on to the lace. I can see that I will LOVE knitting toe ups, and this might be my method of choice from here on out. After all, I have a zillion toe up patterns that I want to learn! If I can just figure out how to do the two circs method.....


Tuesday, April 10, 2007
My First Pair
Yay!! I finally finished my first pair of toe up socks!!! I did undo my first sock as I've mentioned previously, the cuffs were too tight. This time around, I cast off using Elizabeth Zimmermann's sewn bind off which is much better and stretchier.




Pattern: Knitty Magic Cast-on for the toes, Misocrafty Short Row Heel, Basketweave Ribbing for the leg
Yarn: Opal Petticoat 1291
Needles: Two pairs 2.5 mm Addi Turbos


Monday, April 09, 2007
My first toe...s

First I practiced the figure-8 toe as described in the Jelly Bean sock pattern with worsted yarn and big needles. I chose the jelly bean because the designer theoretically designed them for a large, wide foot like mine; I also thought that her pattern explanations looked pretty good for a first timer.

Anyway, I cast on for the actual sock and I had no trouble at all, except ... See the shape of that toe and the shape of my foot? I...don't...think...so! I know socks stretch, but I'm sure a bit wider toe would be more comfortable. I began again, starting with 20 initial loops in the figure-8 rather than 12.

Oh, and for the person who was wondering about the 2 circs method, I really like it! I am using two 16" size 0s--they are a great length and I can easily tell which ends go together. Things go much more quickly for me than with dpns, and I find it much easier to avoid ladders between two needles than four. If dpns bug you at all, 2 circs are well worth a try.


Friday, April 06, 2007
New to the KAL
Hi. I'm Susan aka Knitters-Delight and I am excited about this KAL. I have joined quite a few, but all related to sweaters. Since I've only made one pair of socks in my life, this will be a good motivator. I also like the idea of trying toe up patterns where I can try it on as I go. I'm the same way with top down sweaters. I've looked at the sock pattern links and have printed Baudelaire by Cookie A. on Knitty. It's a gorgeous pattern and I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions for help (be warned *smile*).

SD's blog


Thursday, April 05, 2007
First pair toe up
Well I started my first pair of toe up last night. I followed the instruction you suggested and they when up beautifully. Will included a photo soon.
Michele in PA


Finished toe ups


I finished my first toe up socks last month, but haven't had time to post. I am totally hooked now! These first ones used a pattern from the Six Sox knit along group. Luckily the first project as I joined was toe up! I love the way they start with an icord--very easy to unzip and stitch up at the end. This photo shows the toe detail. On the last row of icord you use your main yarn and from there increase every other row until you have 72 stitches (in this case). It give a nice spiral look to the sock. These socks are finished. However, I forgot to take a photo before gifting these Spring time tennis socks to a friend. I am now working on a toe up the uses Wendy's wrap and turn pattern. I had a hard time unzipping the crochet without scissors on an airplane, but other than that I really enjoy the whole toe up knit experience!
debaccuardi.typepad.com


Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Antici-PA-tion!

Howdy Gang! Glad to be here and looking forward to conquering my first pair of socks. I had no real desire to make ANY socks at all until I saw a particular pair made by the Yarn Harlot. I never did find out what yarn she used, but it didn't matter... I was a goner.

As near as I can come to the knitted sock experience was a recent set of cuff-down felted slippers. First heel turns, first dpns...and nasty ladders. They felted great, though.

I wasn't in love with the dpns, and the magic loop technique makes me cringe (pulling the stitches apart to keep that loop), so I'm going to try the two-circs method. I find the size 0 needles a little unnerving. Here is the yarn I'm using... I made a little swatch to get a ballpark on stitches per inch.

Before I start my actual socks, I am going to practice a toe or two using worsted and larger needles. I'll check back in after a successful startup with the 0's. Thanks for allowing me to join in the fun!--Linda W


Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Look Ma....NO HOLES!!!!!
Can you feel the excitement??? Happy dance. Happy dance. Toe up w/Magic Loop size 2. Wild Berry - Vesper Sock Yarn....yummy. Thank you Miso Crafty for the fantastic tutorial on short row heel w/out holes. I am back in love with Toe Ups ;0)
Susan


Sunday, April 01, 2007
An Accomplishment!!!
Hi everyone!! I cast-on for my first pair of socks about two weeks ago and I’m doing it toe up. Mind you, I've never ever knitted socks before and therefore, this is really my first pair!! I was so excited!!


I used the Knitty Magic cast-on method and it really isn’t that hard. I used Wendy's short row method for the heel and the basket weave ribbing pattern for the leg.


However, althoug I cast-off using a much bigger needle in size 3.25 mm, the cuffs are still tight. I have to really pulled the cuffs in order to wear my first knitted sock :(


Which method is the best for casting off the cuff? Any suggestions??

Cheers,
Michelle
http://knitty-bitty.momo4ever.com


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