More Socks - but from the toe up

I have really been enjoying my first attempt at toe up socks. I fancied learning a new technique but the real reason I wanted to knit these socks from the toe up is so I can use as much of the lovely Ranco Multi yarn as possible. Having looked at a couple of different patterns / methods I decided to use the DVD with this month's Let's Knit magazine as a guide. It has a very clear tutorial on crochet provisional cast on and short row toe and I found it really helpful.

The picture shows the short row toe before the waste yarn has been removed, ready to begin working in the round. I wanted my socks to be plain so I referred to the sock pattern Lorelei in the same magazine to help with the short row heel (basicallly it's the same as the toe) but ignored the diamond stitch. I have finished the first sock and it feels lovely on. I used 2.5mm needles for the foot and lower leg then moved on to 2 by 2 rib with 2.75mm, then 3mm on the leg. This makes the sock a bit "slouchy" which is what I wanted as I plan to wear them around the house.

I will definitely knit more socks from the toe up, although I do like a reinforced heel flap. Now, at least I have a choice.

Can't Stop Knitting Socks

My dad finally got his Christmas socks at the end of January and kindly agreed to model them for me. It's about eight months since I started knitting him socks and he can't get enough of them . These are cable rib socks from Interweave's Favorite Socks and they are knitted in Schoeller and Stahl Fortissima Socka on 2.5mm needles. I didn't make the legs as long as in the pattern. My dad likes plain socks but didn't mind the cables going up each side. I say he likes plain socks but he finds handknitted socks so comfortable he's willing to wear some surprising self patterning and variegated yarns - even Opal rainforest "Veronka Die Wilde" - which is bright green. I finished a straight forward pair of socks for him in this yarn a few days ago but haven't got around to taking photos yet.

The only pair of socks I have completed for myself so far are Go with the Flow Socks from the same Interweave book as above. I used a Lana Grossa Meilenweit cotton yarn which I bought months ago in HK Handknit in Edinburgh (very sorry to hear this is shutting down). When I picked up the yarn to start knitting I couldn't believe I'd picked that colour- it's not very attractive but the cotton does make it really comfortable to wear.

My current work in progress is another pair of socks for myself. I got some lovely Ranco Multi yarn from Stitching Time in Hamilton. It's a chance to try something new because I want to use all of the yarn so I'm knitting them from the toe up. Luckily Let's Knit magazine came with a free DVD this month which had a tutorial on short row toes. It was really helpful and I'm almost finished the first sock - photos should be following soon!