Knitting Patterns

What Does the 911 Attack Have to Do With Free Knitting Patterns?

September 6, 2011 By Ina Gilmore Leave a Comment

Do you remember when?

Each generation seems to have an event that changed everything. My parents spoke about Pearl Harbor. Everyone in their generation knew where they were when they heard the news.

Some of my older colleagues spoke about the assassination of President Kennedy the same way. Both were events that shattered their respective generations’ feelings of safety.

Just like the Challenger disaster shattered the feeling of safety in space in the early 1980s.

And more recently the 9/11 attack in 2001.

When attacked, crafters have always been part of supporting the heroes. I remember reading Little Women as a child. As I recall at least one of the girls knit for their father who was away at the Civil War.

I’ve found similar stories for other wars. During World War I and II, women knit a variety of things for the military from hats to washcloths to socks. And after 911, there are knitting and crocheting groups that support the military and other heroes. One group has members make a square for an afghan that is then sent to the fallen heroes’ families.

There are a variety of free knitting patterns available to support the military and other heroes of the 911 attack, including

Helmet liners to keep heads warm under helmets…
Neck warmers…
Socks and slippers for the military.

And there are multiple benefits in crafting under stress -

The crafter relaxes while crafting. The Relaxation Response is very powerful.
Supporting the heroes, turning a negative into a positive.
Generating that warm comforting feeling in giving of yourself and your item. While sometimes you never hear back, other times you can get acknowledgement of your gift.

When I heard about the 911 Remembrance Organization and its 911 Remembrance Las Vegas Event, I knew I wanted to help support all the heroes of 911. I volunteered to write a post, and felt compelled to create a special knitting pattern for the organization.

I’ve added it to my free knitting patterns. It’s available by registering for the free membership at The Knitting Yarn. Just go to www.TheKnittingYarn.com/freemember.

In return please consider supporting the 9/11 Remembrance Organization or the 911 Remembrance Las Vegas Event. You can support them however you want. You can get more information on their website.

Sometimes it just helps to show others you care.

How do you show someone you care?

When you’re a knitter or other crafter you may make something.
Maybe you send a letter or a card or make a phone call.
Maybe you support them financially.

When you’re stumped about how to show someone you care, now there’s a free way to share your gift. While it says it’s to help relieve stress, overwhelm and burnout – and it does – it’s more. It’s a way to show others they’re important. And you can do it anonymously or not. You can find out more at www.AskDrIna.com/gift.

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight – or someone else’s,

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore M.D. (ret.)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Ambassador of Elder Care, www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com
Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com

The information on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not replace information or recommendations from your own physician or other health care provider. Full disclosure and disclaimer at www.TheKnittingYarn.com/policies.

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Why Are Knitted Dishcloth Patterns Good Projects For Many Knitters?

August 20, 2011 By Ina Gilmore Leave a Comment

One of the nice things about a knitted dishcloth pattern is its gauge usually doesn’t matter.

Which is a blessing for me, because I’ve been known to rewrite patterns to match my gauge.

Yes, really! I knit loosely, and use the pick or Continental method. When I use the throw or English/American method, the gauge is much closer. And my knitting is much tighter. So I think most patterns are written by knitters using the throw method.

Personally I find the pick method much easier, faster and smoother. If you like a different method GREAT!

What else makes knitted dishcloth patterns good projects for many knitters?

* They’re small projects…
* They’re usually portable projects…
* They’re often in simple stitches and simple patterns, nice for beginners or experts who want a simple project.

They’re small projects, which are great if your knitting may be interrupted.

Ever been frustrated when you sit down to knit and get interrupted in the middle of a row?

If you’re a caregiver – including a mother – you just know that’s going to happen. And a complicated pattern like fancy lace needs your concentration not interruptions every few minutes.

Because they’re smaller projects, they can be tucked into a purse or bag easily. They’re easily whipped out when waiting like at a doctor’s appointment, and if you’re traveling on a plane don’t take up a lot of space on your lap or in your bag.

Garter stitch is all knit stitches. It makes a GREAT scrubbing dishcloth. And there are simple variations of garter stitch that make up nicely into dishcloths.

Traditionally dishcloths are made of cotton worsted weight yarn, easier to work with than wool in the summer. You can also substitute acrylic yarn which makes a great scrubbing cloth for dishes or cleaning. Never for skin though as it’s too harsh.

Sometimes you want a small project that’s simple yet looks fancy. One pattern is my Ripple Kitchen Set available at www.TheKnittingYarn.com/KitchenOffer.

Garter ripple kitchen set

And knitting new dishcloths and even dish towels can quickly brighten up your kitchen – or someone else’s!

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight – or someone else’s,

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore M.D. (ret.)

The Knitting Dr

Ambassador of Elder Care, www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com

Disclosure

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not replace information or recommendations from your own physician or other health care provider. This site does not advocate medical or other health-related self-care, and encourages you to obtain advice from your own personal physician or other health care provider.

This web site is not intended to replace medical, financial, legal, or any other professional advice. Please use your own good judgment and consult with your own professionals before applying any ideas found within this website.

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How Can Knitting Patterns Reduce Stress?

April 9, 2011 By Ina Gilmore Leave a Comment

For the past few weeks, I haven’t felt like knitting. Until . . .

Earlier this week I sat up most of the night with a sick family member.

And after about an hour, I felt an urge to start a pair of socks. I decided to use the pattern that came with the yarn.

Well, the way I knit, I’ll start with it as a template! Usually I tweak knitting patterns as I go . . .

So I dutifully knit a swatch for the gauge. And as happens sometimes, the swatch didn’t match the section I cast on and began knitting. In full disclosure, I did use a different cast-on stitch.

The looser cast-on made the entire fabric looser—and larger. After two rows, I saw my error and decided to start over.

That’s one of the great things about knitting. You can stop . . .pull out your stitches . . .often reusing the same yarn and no one well ever know.

Well, that is unless you blog about it to the world!

The second cast-on is a success . . .

Because I knit loosely most knitting patterns suggest needles leading to fewer stitches per inch than suggested. So the knitted article would be larger than desired. The solution is using smaller needles. In this case I’m using size 1 needles instead of the suggested size 3.

The self-striping yarn looks like it will actually self-stripe this time! Sometimes following knitting patterns included with yarn lead to a more variegated than striped effect. The socks are just as warm and still wearable.

Isn’t it amazing how often people turn to comforting crafts like knitting in times of stress?

Like . . .

In wartime. Women traditionally send knitted caps, socks, and other clothing to the military in wartime. Especially for their loved ones. Knitting patterns from World Wars I and II are still used by knitters today.
In caregiving. When you’re under caregiver stress, knitting can be a great way to relieve it. And it’s often portable, so can go with you as you wait. Whether you’re in a waiting room, at the bedside in a hospital, or even at home your knitting can often travel with you.
In many other kinds of stress. Whether it’s the stress of a long day at work, or concern about a sick child or maybe it’s world events seemingly spiraling out of control . . .there are many ~~excuses~~ reasons to pick up your knitting needles.

For some knitters, using knitting patterns that are familiar is comforting. And others like the challenge of focusing on new patterns (at least to them) when stressed. Then there are knitters who just like to knit when stressed — whether new or familiar knitting patterns.

Even medical research now recognizes knitting as one of the activities that elicit the “Relaxation Response.”

The rhythmic movements of knitting followed by concentrating on the knitting stitches displace stressful thoughts. And after about 20 minutes, your blood pressure is lower, your heart rate slows, your breathing slows and even your metabolism slows down.

One reporter writing on this phenomenon suggested it was the clicking of the needles that elicited the response because repetitive sounds like a phrase prayer can also elicit the relaxation response.

Sounds like a non-knitter. Why? Well for one thing knitters who are deaf wouldn’t hear the clicks. And secondly not all needles and yarn produce an audible click.

Another side benefit of knitting or doing similar activities to relieve stress is having both an activity that reduces your body’s reaction to stress and a completed project! Multitasking at its finest.

When you’re feeling overloaded that even your knitting isn’t helping do you . . .?

Take a break?
Reassess your priorities and your “To Do List”?
Push on through because you feel you have no choice?

Everyone’s reactions to stress are different. And if your reaction is reducing and relieving your stress, that’s great! If not, sometimes the solution is easier than you think . . .

Click on this link for more information about three simple mistakes to avoid when eliminating stress.

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore M.D. (ret.)

“The Knitting Dr.”

Ambassador of Elder Care, www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Founder, CaregivingWithPurpose.com and TheKnittingYarn.com

Disclosure

Disclaimer:

Filed Under: Knitting Patterns Tagged With: caregivingwithpurpose.com, ina gilmore, knitting, Knitting Patterns, technorati, the knitting dr, theknittingyarn.com

Tawashi: a new kind of knitted dishcloth pattern?

December 31, 2010 By Ina Gilmore 2 Comments

If scrubbies are a kind of dishcloth, tawashi are a kind of scrubbie.

So yes, they are related.

Traditional tawashi are Japanese scrub brushes. Among knitters and crocheters, tawashi often means a special kind of scrubbie.

Tawashi are usually made of acrylic yarn. The combination of acrylic yarn and garter stitch ridges makes scrubbing easier. Tawashi usually don’t scratch surfaces.

Even though acrylic is manufactured, acrylic tawashi are also known as eco-tawashi. Why?

Well, because they need less soap — or even none — to work.

They are too harsh for delicate skin, though!

Tawashi: a new kind of knitted dishcloth?

Tribble tawashi

Ready to try tawashi?

There are lots of patterns on Ravelry, some for sale and some free. One of the handiest ones I’ve found is a free pattern called Tribble2.

While the original pattern calls for cotton yarn, it makes a great acrylic Tawashi!

Just click here for the link to the pattern page.

And just for fun, I thought you might just enjoy this video on knitting from Fraggle Rock:

If you haven’t yet signed up for your updates, there’s a handy opt-in form in the upper sidebar (upper right of the page).

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

The Knitting Yarn

Disclosure:

I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on the website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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Filed Under: Knitting Patterns Tagged With: knitted dishcloth pattern, Tawashi, technorati, The Knitting Yarn

Beyond the knitting instructions: How do you customize a dishcloth knitting pattern?

May 21, 2010 By Ina Gilmore 5 Comments

I’m a fan of hand knit dishcloths. Every time I use one, I’m amazed at how long they last. And how much better they are at scrubbing than manufactured dishcloths.

Although they can be fancy with embossed-looking images, they don’t have to be. A knitted dishcloth pattern can be as simple as garter stitch. I just finished knitting one in about three hours.

Grandma's Favorite Knitted Dishcloth

I used a dishcloth pattern that’s been around for years. It’s called Grandma’s or Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth.

Its name suits. It’s a quick and easy knit. All you need to know is how to: cast on, knit, yarn over, decrease, and cast off. That’s it.

It can be customized if you get tired of the basic knitting pattern, as explained later in this post.

Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth

Materials: Approximately 1 ounce of cotton worsted weight yarn and 1 pair of knitting needles in appropriate size.

So what’s an appropriate needle size? Whatever size you want to make the knitting as tight or as loose as you want. I knit loosely, and usually use size 5 or 6 needles. Many knitters use size 8.

Instructions:

Row 1: Cast on 4 stitches.

Row 2: Knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit to end of row. Turn.

Repeat Row 2 until you have 44 stitches on your needle.

Next Row (Decrease Row): Knit 1 stitch, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to end of row. Turn.

Repeat this row until you have 4 stitches left. Cast off. Break yarn, and pull it through last stitch to knot. Weave in yarn ends.

Knitter’s Tip: If the dishcloth doesn’t look quite square, try gently pulling it into shape. It’s not unusual for the first and second halves to look different when the dishcloth first comes off the needles.

So what are some easy variations?

Crocheting a Hanging Loop
You can add a look by not breaking yarn when you get to the last stitch. Using a crochet hook, chain 8, attaching the chain to the last stitch or corner or next to the last stitch. Break yarn and weave in ends as above.
Adding a Slipped Stitch Edging
You can make a lovely slipped stitch edging by slipping the first stitch of each row as if to purl. My video gives you the slipped stitch edging knitting instructions.
Knitting in Reverse Garter Stitch
If you want practice purling or just like to purl more than knit, you can knit the entire dishcloth in reverse garter stitch instead of garter stitch.

To knit Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth, the basic instructions become:
Row 1: Cast on 4 stitches.
Row 2: Purl 2 stitches, yarn over, purl to end of row. Turn.
Repeat Row 2 until you have 44 stitches on your needle.
Next Row (Decrease Row): Purl 1 stitch, purl 2 together, yarn over, purl 2 together, purl to end of row. Turn.
Repeat this row until you have 4 stitches left. Cast off. Break yarn, and pull it through last stitch to knot. Weave in yarn ends.
This post gives you more detailed reverse garter knitting instructions.
Changing the size
Want a larger or smaller dishcloth? Then increase to 46 or 42—or whatever sizes you want—before decreasing.
You can even make square dishtowel by enlarging the pattern. You may however need more than one ball of yarn.
Knitters tip: Hand knit dishtowels seem to absorb water better than store-bought ones.
Using your imagination to customize—
If you want to knit in colors, you can knit stripes. You may either find you have a lot of ends to weave in, or if you carry the yarn from row to row you may want to crochet a border of single crochet or knit an I-cord border to cover the yarn loops.
If you change colors after either 2 or 4 rows the yarn carried will be short lengths. You can also make wider stripes of more rows, breaking the yarn between stripes.

So now you have the basic instructions and five easy variations.

Another variation of the garter stitch is my Garter Ripple Kitchen Set, based on an easy lace knitting stitch called “Feather and Fan.”

Garter ripple kitchen set

It’s a great way to brighten up your kitchen or to practice lace knitting on a small project. Buy now!

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

The Knitting Yarn

Disclosure:

I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on the website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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What are easy fingerless mitten knitting instructions?

February 2, 2010 By Ina Gilmore 5 Comments

I’m typing while wearing one fingerless mitten.

Why?

Well, my fingers were cold and I decided to experiment. I was curious to know how fast I’d notice a difference between the two hands, I decided to try just one.

Striped fingerless mitten

In less than 10 seconds I noticed an improvement in the hand wearing the mitten. Wow! What a surprise! I always thought they’d warm the hands but not the fingers. Now if I could just knit that fast.

While I like mittens and gloves, fingerless ones are better sometimes. For example, when you’re working at a keyboard, wearing regular mittens make typing impossible. Most gloves are cumbersome — at best. If your fingers don’t slip off the keys while wearing them, gloves are often bulky or just don’t feel right.

Fingerless mittens or gloves solve these problems. They allow you to use the keyboard or mouse on a computer comfortably and don’t get in your way.

What’s the difference between fingerless gloves and fingerless mittens? While I don’t have an official answer from the Fashion Gurus, my take is that fingerless gloves have four openings for individual fingers. Their length can be as short as one or two rows, or go all the way to the fingertips. Fingerless mittens, on the other hand, have a single opening for four fingers. And they’re definitely faster to knit!

While fingerless glove knitting instructions can be complex and best suited for an experienced knitter, fingerless mittens can be quick and easy. Yes, for beginners, too!

So what are the steps for knitting Easy Garter Stitch Fingerless Mittens?

1. Check the gauge. The gauge for this pattern is 3.5 stitches per inch in garter stitch. I used Caron’s One Pound Yarn in Sunflower (yellow) and Royalty (blue). It’s a worsted weight acrylic and knits up soft. I used size 9 needles.

2. Measure your hand. Using a tape measure or even a piece of yarn, measure around your palm above the thumb.

3. Cast on:

6.5-inch hand = 22 stitches
7-inch hand = 24 stitches
7.5-inch hand = 26 stitches
8-inch hand = 28 stitches
8.5 inch hand = 30 stitches

Knitting Tip: Check the size as you knit. It’s amazing how many times the knitting can vary once you actually cast on the rows. Although mittens are fairly forgiving, it’s still easier to make adjustments early in the knitting rather than after the mitten is almost finished.

4. Knitting pattern:

Row 1: Slip first stitch as if to purl. Knit across rest of row. Turn.

Repeat Row 1 for desired length from cuff to top of mitten.

Change colors to add stripes if you wish. I changed colors on the wrong side after four rows of blue and two of yellow:

Closeup of stripe pattern in knitting instructions

Slipping the first stitch as if to purl makes a slipped edge garter stitch, which I’ve explained further in my free video knitting instructions.

5. Bind off loosely with your favorite method. Break yarn.

6. Sew up the side seam, leaving an opening for the thumb. (Hint: Trying on the mitten after sewing up part of the seam helps you place the thumb opening, customizing its fit!)

7. Weave in the yarn ends.

While you can add color by knitting stripes, another easy method is called mosaic knitting. You carry only one color at a time and can make interesting patterns with it:

Mosaic knitting fingerless mittens

This particular pattern makes a thicker mitten. Which is probably why I decided to make a pair!

Close-up of right side

My PDF pattern for Easy Two-Color Mosaic Fingerless Mittens is now available on Ravelry.

Disclosure:

I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on the website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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Filed Under: Completed projects, Knitting Patterns, Projects Tagged With: knitting, knitting pattern, The Knitting Yarn

Beyond basic knitting instructions: Helped Haiti yet?

January 15, 2010 By Ina Gilmore Leave a Comment

Have you recently had unusual challenges?

Maybe it’s been the economy. Your family. Or the weather.

So far this winter has been unusually cold here. It’s been 20 to 30 points below normal. Water frozen outside in the morning — and even the afternoon some days. This is the longest stretch of cold weather in this area in about a century. Of course, the cold weather brings it’s own challenges. Like, not one but two mice decided my dryer vent was a nice entrance into my warm house.

At least I hope it’s only two!

This week, my problems challenges became very small. The earthquake in Haiti dwarfs many concerns.

Crafters helping Haiti

If you’re like me, your first instinct is to help. But how? And where?

Knitters and crocheters have a unique opportunity. Sure, we can donate money to appropriate places.

We can also donate our handiwork.

Ravelry has a new group that is looking for afghan squares. Knitted or crocheted. Sizes from 6 inches to 14 inches are being offered. The group even has links for knitting instructions.

I like the idea of making a square or perhaps a few and sending them. Imagine hundred or thousands of knitters and crocheters sending just one or two squares. And they can be made from your stash, or even leftovers.

The group, Hugs for Haiti, wants washable squares. It looks as though that’s the main requirement.

Here’s the first square I’m working on:

Log cabin afghan square in progress

Log cabin is one of the free patterns the group links to. I like log cabin quilts, and knitting a log cabin square reminds me how much rebuilding the Haitians need to do.

If you don’t feel up to making a complex square, make a simple one.

Free garter stitch square pattern

Garter stitch is easy to make a square. Its Rule of Thumb is two rows for each stitch makes a square. So, if you cast on 10 stitches and knit 20 rows you have a square. Or approximately. Usually I need to knit a couple of rows less than twice the number I cast on when I’m knitting with acrylic or cotton. It’s still easy to make a square.

For example, if you want to make a 12 inch square and have 4 stitches per inch: cast on 48 stitches.

4 stitches / inch X 12 inches = 48 stitches

Knit approximately 48 ridges, or 96 rows. In my case, it’s 44 or 46 ridges. Bind off.

A slipped stitch edging helps the square lie flat, and more square. Here are my video knitting instructions.

Join Hugs for Haiti now: you do need to be a Ravelry member to join. Ravelry is free and well worth your time if you’re a crafter.

Disclosure:

I may have a marketing connection to a brand, topic or product listed on the website. Through the use of affiliate links contained herein, I may collect fees from purchases made.

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Filed Under: Knitting Blog, knitting instructions, Knitting Patterns, Projects Tagged With: knitting, Ravelry, The Knitting Yarn

Projects Update

October 28, 2009 By Ina Gilmore Leave a Comment

Sprucey Lucy Knee High Socks

free knitting pattern available from Wendy Knits.

"Baby" enjoying his new sweater

Follow-up to this post.

Participating in Wordless Wednesday. Well, it’s almost wordless!

Filed Under: Completed projects, Knitting Blog, Knitting Patterns, Projects Tagged With: Free knitting pattern, The Knitting Yarn, wordless wednesday

You’ve completed the knitting instructions: now what to do with the leftover yarn?

September 24, 2009 By Ina Gilmore 4 Comments

Well, after 6 months — 4 of which they sat on a shelf waiting for me to be inspired to knit them again — I finally finished my knee socks!

They are my first very own hand knit knee socks, custom-made using several sock knitting instructions which I combined. I do like the toe-up knitting instructions, because the sock can be tried on as you’re knitting. That way, changes can be made immediately and — at least theoretically — keeps the frogging to a minimum!

Fairisle knee socks from multiple knitting instructions

The patterned sock yarn is: Austermann Step Sock Yarn in the Sunset Fairisle colorway. The Fairisle pattern is in the dyeing of the yarn, so it’s like a self-striping yarn: except better! It’s soft, treated with Jojoba and Aloe Vera extracts. While knitting I noticed how soft it is on the hands. According to the label, the extracts and softening power last through hundreds of washings. I’m thinking they’ll be very helpful in the dry winter weather!

The solid toes, heels, and cuff are Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn in Temple Turquoise. The Fairisle colors really seem to “pop” with the contrast of the solid yarn sections.

There’s enough yarn left over, that one skein of the Austermann Step Sock Yarn probably would have been enough without the contrast. Wow! One skein for a pair of knee socks for size 10-1/2 feet!

Yarn bought according to knitting instructions & now left over from several knitting projects

So, when the knitting instructions are complete, what to do with the left over yarn? Options include:

Saving the yarn for later because sometimes the right project just doesn’t immediately jump out. Especially after finishing a big project, sometimes another yarn is calling to be knit, yes?
Starting a project, and adding yarn as you get it from future as yet unspecified projects. This option adds the risk of maybe having an incomplete project that will end up either incomplete for a long time, or possibly being unraveled. Of course, if you like to work this way, it’s something to consider. This also could run the risk of adding to your yarn stash if you end up buying yarn to finish a project you can’t stand to remain incomplete another minute.
Finding a small project now. After finishing a big project, the idea of a project that can be completed in an evening or two before starting another larger project has a certain appeal.

Needless to say, I decided to start looking for a small project. And one found me:

Tiny mitten from leftover sock yarn

A tiny mitten! Jumping in without a pattern is always an adventure in itself. After making enough mittens to have memorized the basics of a mitten, it was easy. The Fairisle yarn makes a lovely pattern in stockinette stitch, without a great deal of thought. And since the mitten needed to look like a mitten but not necessarily fit anyone or anything, it’s a very forgiving project.

Now what to do with it?

It could be a doll mitten, although I quit playing with dolls some years ago.

How about a Christmas mitten? It — or perhaps a pair with an attached cord — would make a neat homemade ornament for a Christmas tree. And, it could also be used on the outside of a package as decoration: to be used by the recipient as an ornament.

Would you like a copy of the pattern? Subscribe in the box on the sidebar to get your free knitting bag pattern immediately, and you’ll get my Tiny Mittens pattern a couple of days later.

Filed Under: Completed projects, Knitting Blog, knitting instructions, Knitting Patterns, Projects Tagged With: Circular knitting, Fair Isle knitting, Free knitting pattern, knitting, Knitting socks

How many different knitting instructions to knit a sock?

September 9, 2009 By Ina Gilmore Leave a Comment

Awhile ago, I started a pair of socks.

Knee socks in progress

Actually, they’re the first pair I’ve ever made for myself. And I wanted them to both fit, and to be knee socks.

I like knee socks. When wearing pants,they often hike up when I sit down, and like to still have my leg covered. Recently I’m finding it harder to get knee socks in the stores or even online. So, I decided to make it myself. Many sock patterns either end just above the ankle, or seem to think calves are straight up and down. Results: they don’t fit. Besides, after spending the time knitting a pair of socks, I’m not ready to have them sit in a drawer.

The problem is, I’ve had trouble finding a pattern that explains it all. I like the toe-up socks, because I can try one on as I knit, making adjustments as necessary. For a novice sock knitter, that’s important. And I have a high instep, so need to include that adjustment. Then I wanted a reinforced heel stitch, plus the adjustment for a calf diameter larger than my ankle. I also wanted a ribbed pattern because I felt it would hug my leg better, and make up for any minor miscalculations.

Finally, I wanted a non-binding cast off. Casting off regularly results in a tight band, actually too tight to get over my calf.

So, how many different knitting instructions and knitting patterns did I use for knitting socks?

Starting with WendyKnit’s Sport Weight Toe-up Gusset Heel Sock free knitting instructions. My gauge was closer to this even though I used sock weight yarn.
Using my own method to cast on the toe stitches. Why? Because the other methods I found just weren’t right. The stitches were to tight to knit, the method too complicated, or one even seemed like it would work better with three hands not two!
Ribbing by using the free 1940s pattern for Spiral Bed Socks knitting instructions.
Adjusting the gusset for a high foot arch with WendyKnit’s knitting instructions for a high instep.
Knitting an old-fashioned reinforced heel with the stocking heel stitch knitting instructions.
Adding stitches for the calf increase. Rather than using some complicated calculations I found online, I decided to try increasing two stitches every 7 rounds, which is when the repeat changes. My plan was to keep checking the fit and adjust as needed. It fits fine!
Creating my own cast-off, which may or may not wear well. I’ll let you know.