A Curious Statistical Anomaly

I was thrashing my brain trying to think of a post and someone asked me how I did my socks without a pattern. So, thought I’d try to explain. When I first started with socks I followed patterns and then I sort of got the hang of it. Eventually, after reading several book and blogs I found that there wasn’t any real trick to it.

Toe UP:

First I use a figure 8 cast on. Actually when I first did it I didn’t really know what it was called but it seemed to make sense to me after doing all those kitchener stitch toes when doing top down. Knitty.com has a great explanation with pictures of the figure 8 cast on. They call it the figure 8 toe. After trial and error I more or less do it this way now.

Once I have used the figure 8 to cast on 16-18 stitches (8-9 on each needle), I knit one row — this row is usually the most difficult. Then on the next row, knit one, M1, knit to next to last stitch, M1, K1 (for each needle) on the next row I usually split the stitch over 4 needles with an same number of stitch on each needle.

Next row knit all stitches.

Now on first needle, Knit 1, M1, knit to end of needle. 2nd needle you knit to next to last stitch and then M1, knit 1. 3rd needle: Knit 1, M1, knit to end. 4th needle: Knit to next to last stitch, M1, Knit 1. (You’ve increased 4 stitches in this row. All increased are on the outside of the toe.

Repeat until you have enough stitches to get to the widest part of your foot by the upper toes. This is where I usually start a pattern if I’m going to or ribbing if I want a ribbed sock. If you do a lace pattern keep the stitches that will be the bottom of the foot plain. If you’re doing ribbing you can do the whole foot as ribbing (sort of makes the sock fit snugger — if that’s a word).

When you’re within two inches of the heel you need to decide on a heel type. You can do a regular heel (follow any pattern and don’t worry that you’re going in the opposite direction), a short row heel, an afterthought heel, whatever you’re comfortable with. There’s an article on heels on Wool Works website, a great website with lots of photos on heels and other sock knitting tips, the directions for an afterthought heel on Sockknitters, and the Knitting Fiend has lots of good sock links.

Once you’ve done the heel, well you’re home free. Knit up as high on the leg as you want though if you’re going to go mid-calf you may have a problem with slipping down. I usually go either 8-9 inches or keep to a 2×2 or 1×1 ribbing so it holds up a bit better.

Well, that’s my fuzzy method of knitting a sock. On my next pair I’m planning an hour-glass (or short-row heel). I just loved the way it looked on the vintage socks that the Yarn Harlot just finished knitting. I don’t think I’d ever have the patients for those tiny leaves but I really like the looks of the heel.

Meanwhile, I’ve started a top down sweater and I don’t have a pattern so I’m sort of hyped to get it going. Only got 3 rows so far so it will be a while before a photo shows up here. Why doesn’t work, chores, errands, and loved ones just fade into the background when there’s a new project on the needles — it will only take me a day or three before the newness wears off and I won’t mind being interrupted so much.