I think I said once that when I knit, I like to be learning something. Well, the last two days (yesterday and today) have been spent learning, and the lesson's haven't been easy.
This is what I'm working on. It's the Universal Toe Up Sock pattern from Knitty (available here). I read it over. It sounded simple enough. I understood what was going on. I started it four times. Four times! The first three times, I simply wasn't happy with the way it looked. I restarted it a fourth time because I realized, just before I got to the end of the toe, that I'd missed one little thing... there's a slip stitch at the beginning of each row on the second half of the toe shaping. Four times!
Now, however, it's all okay and I'm on to the foot. We'll see how it goes when I reach the heel. I'm determined to make at least one pair of toe-up, short row socks. I don't usually like short row heels. I'll let you know what I think after the first sock.
For those of you who want details, the yarn is (once again) Trekking XXL. I'm not sure of the colour number right now, but I'll let you know next time (I've done enough running up and down the stairs for today). It's a nice, subdued colourway; I like it so far. And I'm SO very far on these socks. ;)
Ok, so those of you who like knitting socks... what's your favourite sock type to knit? Toe up? Cuff down? Short row toes and heels? Standard heel flap and toe? This one starts with half the total stitches required (as per Priscilla Gibson-Roberts). Do you like that one or do you prefer the one that starts with the stitches cast on at the toe (figure-8 cast on, Queen Kahuna cast on, simply magic cast on... which?)
Talk to me. Let's make it interesting. Let's turn this into a contest, sort of. A draw, perhaps. Let's see... we'll give it two weeks. Post a comment telling me about your favourite type of sock to wear and/or knit; at the end of two weeks, I'll get one of the bodies in this house to randomly choose a winner. Said winner will receive a surprise package from the beautiful Okanagan. A knitterly surprise. Sound fair?
Time to put more drops in John's eyes...... Talk to me, people!
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I knit quite a lot of socks, but for me they are not "enjoyment knitting", they are just "useful knitting". I mean that I don´t enjoy doing them, but since in my opinion all kids need warm, cozy socks to keep their feet warm in the winter, and the men working outside also, it´s something I feel I must knit. So I have been making the same type of sock for 25 years, cuff down/a self designed mixture of a flap heel and a short row heel/ordinary toe decreases on each side. By now I can almost knit them in my sleep, and I just use two types of yarn, one thinner and one thicker. That way I can just count the rows, I know how many rows of cuff/how many rows of foot for this yarn in this particular size.
ReplyDeleteMy best from Iceland
Frida
All my socks are for people who can't be bothered to baby anything so mine are knit top down with a k1,s1 heel flap for extra wear, standard toe.
ReplyDeleteI've only knit toe up, short row heel socks once, and had one heck of a time. I used the figure 8 cast on and tried both the wrap and no wrap short rows. I think I ended up with the no wrap in the end but I wasn't really happy with them. The heel cup is shallower than a flap style. Right now I'm knitting a regular top down heel flap pattern. I plan to use your basic pattern next. I will still try a short row heel again but I will probably use more than half the stitches for the heels so that it will have a deeper heel cup.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to add that the garter stitch short row heel looks kind of nice and cushy. I may try that.
ReplyDeleteI have knit variations of the toe-up sock but have never been happy with them - either they are too long in the foot or too short (!) or the cast off is too tight no matter what I do! So, it's the traditional cuff-down/heel flap/gusset/kitchener toe for me! I seem to get that one right most of the time.
ReplyDeleteI prefer top down, heel flap. But ... I've been playing a bit recently too. So far, I don't mind the short row heel, but I had to play wtih the proportions to fit my foot. Which is actually a good thing. I have done toe up, once, with another on the needle right now that I might re-start. It just feels foreign. It's not oriented correctly. I do like the magic cast-on, and the fact that you can use the toe as a gauge swatch to get your final stitch count. I don't like "guessing" when the foot is long enough for the heel. I don't like trying to cast-off loosely enough that I'll be able to get it on. And you can add "yet" to the end of all those "don't like"s, because who knows what will happen in the future? I do think it's good to have options, though. I suppose there are times when it is advantageous to go one way or the other. Different heels might go better with different patterns. And that's what I LIKE about sock knitting. There are so many different ways to get to the end product. And it's just a sock, you know? Very cool indeed.
ReplyDeleteI have knit socks on DPNs, & Magic loop, but not yet 2socks on 2 circs. I am in the middle of learning Queen Kahuna's method. I really think I am going to like this the best. I like the toe up because I like knowing I will have enogh yarn - no matter what. Not really - I just like doing toe up. I used to say because I don't like kitchenering, but I don't mind that anymore either. I REALLY like to do 2 at one time though. I have had too many issues with my gauge changing with a second sock - i think I get relaxed with the pattern or something. I am going to try to do the double-knit - one inside the other soon...
ReplyDeleteI always work cuff down and usually with a standard heel flap and gusset. I have done a few short-row heels to avoid pooling with some yarns, but I prefer the fit of the flap heel much better. I still need to learn how to tweak the short-row heel to make it fit me better. I might try toe-up someday too, but right now I am really happy with my old standby method. I guess if it isn't broke, don't fix it right?
ReplyDeleteUntil this past year, I have always knit top down socks. Then I began to have this growing pile of "little bits & bobs of leftover sock yarn" and although there are currently many ideas for uses, I felt I was wasting yarn. Because the yardage in all the new and exciting hand dyed sock yarn seems to vary, I decided the only way to eliminate alot of this was to start doing toe-up socks. So, because I knit 2 socks/2 circs, I have found the best cast on is the magic one you refered to or the Turkish one. I cast on 12 on each needle and go up to 24 by increasing every row and then every 2nd row until I reach 34 on each needle. Then I knit away to my hearts content.
ReplyDeleteI also do an "After Though Heel" so I can keep going until I only have a small amt left. I am pretty clear on how much I need for the heel.
Hope this is clear...I find this method best for "gift" socks too as then I have the foot length correct with no guessing!
Glad to hear John was able to get into the doctor so quick. Hopefully he will not go crazy this week!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite way to knit socks are toe-up, short-row heel, magic-loop way. I didn't like the figure-8 cast-on, the toe seemed to twist a bit.I use short-row cast-on for the toes, which I love.
I have always knit top-down socks. I have tried toe-up but haven't been able to get comfortable with it - at least not yet. I imagine I'll continue to try it every now and again until.
ReplyDeleteAs I seldom use a regular pattern, I'm often throwing in a stitch I want to play with and I think that's part of the fun for me - seeing how things work out, tailoring the ribbing to the stitch pattern so the one flows nicely into the other, etc. I know I could do that with a toe-up sock too, but it's such (almost) instant gratification with the cuff down version :)
My current standard is toe-up using magic loop rather than dpns. I start with a turkish cast on and 24 st (for me) or 16 st (for my daughter). I don't know what the toe shaping is called, but I just increase one stitch on each end of both needle every other row until the sock is big enough. If the yarn wants some fancy stitch work, I add it to the top of the foot. I use a short row heel (ala PGR) and then continue on in the pattern. If at all possible I like to end up with a picot turning row and then sew the live stitches down to the appropriate row (on the inside) to make the picots pop. This is never too tight and always a cute finish.
ReplyDeleteI used to knit my socks cuff down, that's how I learned to knit socks in school. Several month ago I discoverd the toe up socks. I made a couple of toe up with Wendy's mehtod. Now I don't like the short row heel very much. Right now my favorite is the magic cast on toe up, you can shape the toes after your liking, round toes, pointy toes, they are great. Only the first row is hard. I do the reverse dutch heel with gusset and so on. It fits perfectly. The cast off is the sewed cast off by Elizabeth Zimmermann, very stretchy. That's how I like to make my socks now.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for socks on 5 DPNs starting with the leg, doing a regular heel flap heel etc. But just as you, I've ventured into the toe up because of the universal pattern in Knitty and have completed one sock and am about to do the second sock. The fit is okay but you have to really make sure to use a stretchy cast off when you get to the top of your leg. I had to try a couple of different ways before I was happy that it was stretchy enough and fit well. I ended up using a sewn cast-off. Worked quite nicely. I've also experiemented with 2 circs recently and that's okay but only if you use needles with really smooth joins.
ReplyDeleteSo overall........ teach an old dog new tricks... yes, possible... but my verdict is still that I like my good old, leg down DPN way the best.
I have tried quite a few ways of making socks. But, I remain a fan of the standard, cuff down, heel flap. I always do an Eye of Partridge flap because I think it looks really pretty with varigated yarn.
ReplyDeleteI find other heels just too flimsy, and I like the process. I can do it in my sleep so I can just pick up and knit socks with out worrying about finding a pattern.
It's always good to try new things though.
I really like working 2 socks at the same time. 2 circulars is preferred, but I'll knit on DPNs or magic loop as well, whatever works best with the pattern.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite method is toe up with a gusset and heel flap. But not with the heel flap under the heel where some people put it, rather with the heel flap behind the heel so it looks (and fits) just like a cuff down sock. Lately the heel flap of preference has been the eye of partridge heel with stitches slipped knitwise and a garter border.
Favorite cast on? Not sure really--I've done short row with a provisional cast on, a round toe, as well as a turkish cast on. It depends on my mood I suppose.
My absolute favorite bind off is a tubular bind off. Stretchy, neat, very professional looking.
Take a look at my blog or flickr acct (link is on the blog) for photos and descriptions of my finished socks.
Ok I have to jump in here. I love doing the toe up. I didn't like the knitty instructions but Denise Powell's are great (http://www.socknitters.com/toe-up/index.htm). Like Monika I use Elizabeth Zimmerman's stretchy cast off. I don't do short row heel because I like a really tough heel. The best things about toe up socks are that you can try them on as you go (ensuring a perfect fit) and you will never be short on wool! But then again who cares as long as we all have our toasty toes in handmade woollies -Gloria
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and the opportunity it gives me to travel a bit in my imagination to B.C.!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother taught me to knit when I was little, though I didn't come back to the hobby until college. Now that I'm struggling to write a dissertation, knitting (along with yoga) is incredibly important to my mental health. One of the things I like most about knitting is its history and tradition. I love that I am making some things in the way that people have made them for years, decades, centuries. Socks in particular really embody this aspect of knitting for me. So at 33, I suppose I'm an old dog who is kind of unwilling to learn new tricks, at least when it comes to socks. I've thought vaguely about learning the toe-up method, but I love the soothing, timeless ritual of knitting socks from the top down and imagining all the other people who did it before me in exactly that way. For now, I'm going to stick with this method and bask in its familiarity.
I like top down, heel flap, basic socks. I have started purling all of the sole stitches instead of knitting them. Charlene Schurch calls them Princess Soles. I find them much more comfortable. You can see one on my blog http://dogloversyarn.com/. I tried doing toe up Queen Kahuna style and found it frustrating. I knit very tightly and hated doing increases in those teeny tiny stitches. I have lots of various knitting projects on the go at any given time and my sock knitting is for times that I don't have to concentrate too hard, like when I'm away from home, so the top down type is nice as I don't need a pattern.
ReplyDeleteI started with cuff-down, standard heel flap sock, and never needed to knit toe-up. I ventured into toe-up socks so I could match the color patterns of self-striping yarn. I start with a rectangle toe, which looks lumpy, but fits just fine (http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/knit/sqrtoe.shtml) and then turn the heel and do a standard heel flap a la Judy Gibson (http://tiajudy.com/soxform.htm).
ReplyDeleteI also like the heel on this sock (http://www.needlebeetle.com/free/romanrib.htm). This pattern doesn't do enough gusset increases for my taste, but I do the heel and heel flap as written here, adjusting my stitch count as needed. I have been knitting 2 sox/2 circs, but don't really like it. I prefer 5 dpns. I'm getting ready to try a short row toe, but will not do a short row heel because they don't fit my foot well. I love knitting socks, we can mix and match the parts until we get something that fits just right!
I much prefer top down using ML method until I get to the heel, and then do the EOP heel. Change to 2 16 inch circulars for the foot because I use a 2 mm on the bottom and a 2.5 mm on the top part of the foot. Works for me.
ReplyDeleteI've tried both up and down, but my current projects seem to be toe up, ml. I found a pattern on some blog somewhere (didn't write down the source - shame on me!) for something called "Jody's heel". It works for me as neither I nor my LYS owner could really figure out the short row heels (Emily of the LYS is strictly cuff down, heel flap) and her assistant, Cathryn, won't look at you if you don't do cuff down 2socks, 2 circs. I like to work some sorts of lace pattern on the foot tops and legs - depends on the yarn and my mood. I've taken cuff down patterns (like yours, Ev) and adapted them to toe up.
ReplyDeleteI like socks because I can be a "bad-ass knitter", doing what I want because I want to as long as the finished project fits either the husband or me.
I hope John continues to do well :)
I have only completed top down socks. I have the Queen Kahuna book. Started a pair with her method. I really liked the cast on and got as far as an inch or so into the foot. They kept sitting because, I did not have the time to consult the directions to learn how to do the heal. I finally took them out and re-did them as top down socks. Someday, when I am beyond Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTA, etc., I will make at least one pair of toe up socks.
ReplyDeleteFavourite....2s2c, toe-up, Queen Kahuna method, on my Addi Turbos US#1. Occasionally, top down, but ALWAYS 2s2c. (Got caught by that darn SS Syndrome once......never, again)
ReplyDeleteI have only tried cuff down and I really like the short row heel versus the heel flap. I think that type of heel fits my foot better and doesn't bunch in a shoe. I do regular toe decreases, but I make mine point in the top to add into the equation that I have a really long big toe and middle toe.
ReplyDeleteI have decided that I prefer socks with some type of stretch in the cuff. It is a pain to knit all the way to the heel and find out you can't get your foot in it because the cuff has no stretch.
I like top down and heel flap the best but I've been experimenting with some toe up socks, too. I want to do a short row toe on my current top down sock. Watch my blog for updates! :o)
ReplyDeleteMy standard, my favorite - top down, standard heel flap, ribbed 2x2 all the way down. :) I occasionally do patterned cuffs, but my favorite fit is 2x2.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite (or current anyway) way to knit socks is top down using the magic loop method. I use a twisted german cast on and a standard slip stitch heel (sometimes depending on pattern I use Eye of Partridge). I have done one short row heel using the no-wrap style from the Socknitters group and it went really well though so I may switch it up now and again. The only toe I ever use is the German Round Toe, no kitchener and pull last 12 stitches into ring and weave in. I need to experiment with toe up soon!
ReplyDelete