I have finished my first sock of 2012!

And what I have decided is I’m working on my own version of a generic sock.  Right now it’s knit cuff down, because the arch shape seems to work best that way.

The arch shape is based on Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen’s “Arch-Shaped Stockings” pattern, available from Schoolhouse Press.

My current interest in socks started while caring for my mother.

In her later years, it was often hard to keep her warm.  And her feet in particular would get cold.  The socks available in the stores were seldom what she wanted, so I decided to knit her a pair of socks.

I knit the first pair cuff down.  Some knitters say to fit precisely you need to start at the toe and work up. I wanted to be sure these fit as well as I could.  So, I slipped them carefully over her foot to frequently check the fit.  I wanted to be sure there was no problem with too tight socks cutting off her circulation or too loose socks causing wrinkles  and maybe sores.

Could they easily be slipped on and off?

Yes!  While I knit the socks with double pointed needles, initially I slipped the stitches onto circular needles to check the fit.  After the practice of a few fittings, leaving the stitches on four double pointed needles worked fine.

Ribbing tends to fit more snugly than other patterns, and seems more forgiving for three dimensional projects like socks.

I ended up using a spiral ribbing pattern on the leg and top of her foot, which worked out very well. They socks fit, and she enjoyed wearing them.  Even if they were turquoise blue!

My current socks are for myself, and they are also knit from the cuff down. 

And, yes, once again I altered the pattern.  I like the arch shape.  The other options, not so much. 

Wondering how many ways I deviated from the how to knit socks instructions?  Here are three ways…

1. The cast on.  Might as well start altering the pattern immediately!  Actually, I discovered this when knitting socks for my mother.  Using a provisional cast on and then when the sock is off the needles, going back and binding off with an elastic bind off makes a great cuff edge for someone with concerns about leg swelling. Or just a different shaped calf (larger or smaller than usual). The bind off expands nicely yet snugly fits.
2. 1 x 1 ribbing in the leg and foot instead of the pattern.  I still like ribbing, and feel the socks stay up better with it than with stockinette stitch.  For beginners, stockinette stitch is often easier because in the round the stitches are all knit.
3. The heel is a mitered heel instead of a saddle heel.

Do you see how important knitting was to my caregiving?

Not only did it help relieve the stress of caregiving giving me a much-needed few minutes respite, it also provided some great projects!

Without knitting, I probably would not have come out of caregiving whole and happy.  Even with my family’s help and my professional caregiving experiences. 

Of course it’s not just knitting that helped me survive.  It was much more.  It seemed at times like traveling along roads without a map.

Easy to get lost and off track if you don’t know the route.

You know what I mean?

It takes a road map to successfully navigate caregiving, to more than survive – to thrive – emerging happy and whole.

Now you can download your own road map.  Just click here right now to download!

To your healthy and happy knitting & caregiving,

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

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

Recently I finished a pair of socks.

They are based on a pattern designed by Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen.  The pattern is called Arch-Shaped Stockings.  And they are.

The socks have an arch shape, and snugly fit the sole of your foot.

I have a high arch.  And despite what the so-called experts say about knitting socks, just adding extra length to the arch is not nearly as comfortable as the curved arch in these socks.  So the socks I knit from this pattern are among my favorites.

I like a ribbed sock, because it hugs my leg and foot better.  And yes, you can alter patterns for socks too.

Personally I’m not fond of the saddle heel turn to wear.  A Christmas stocking is a different matter.  I did put saddle heels in my Christmas Stocking Patterns, which are not worn.  It makes a nice heel if you want a different color for the heel.  And knit Christmas stockings are not meant to be worn!

For the saddle heel, basically you knit a square, and then turn the heel near the bottom of the foot.  You end up picking up 12 or more stitches along two sides of the square.  I found a heel from a book in the 1940s that only requires picking up 3 or 4.  The turn begins higher, and makes more of a mitered heel.  

I like the way it fits my foot.  You may like a different heel.  And that’s perfectly fine…

So, what are my “Rules For How To Knit Socks”?

1. The right way to knit is your way.  This goes for anything you knit!
2. Choosing 2 circular needles or double-pointed ones is a personal preference.  I have some bamboo double-pointed needles I like to use for knitting socks.  The wooden needles seem to hold the yarn better.  And I find 2 circular needles require more concentration to remember which needle to use when. 
3. If you’re just starting to knit socks, very dark colors like navy blue, dark chocolate brown, black and dark forest green are very hard to knit.  My most recent socks were enough for me.  I started with 2 skeins of sock yarn, so probably will use the rest for a shawl or scarf.  Something I can knit on larger needles!
4. Enjoy yourself.  Knitting should be FUN!
5. Rules 2 and 3 are optional and can be broken.

Ever wonder how knitting rules started?

Mostly they were passed down by mouth from teacher to student.  And probably worked well for most, but not necessarily all knitters. 

It’s fine to have knitting “rules” when they help you knit easier, faster or with more fun.  When they become burdensome and take the pleasure out of knitting, it’s time to break the rules or make new ones!

Have you lost the joy in your knitting?  

Maybe you need to rediscover the power of FUN!  “The Laugh Doctor” is ready to show you how.   Click here right now to download this book now to put FUN back into your life – quickly, easily and almost effortlessly. 

To your healthy and happy knitting & caregiving,

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

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

This morning I finished a sock.

It’s a pattern I’ve tweaked rather extensively.  It started as an Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen pattern.  I’ve made them before, but really didn’t care for the toe or the heel.  The original pattern called for a flat toe, with the ends woven with the Kitchener stitch.  And the heel is a saddle heel. 

In looking for a toe that might be more comfortable, I came across a pattern in a needlework book from the 1940s.  It suggests a rounded toe can be made like a mitten.

And you know what?

I like it better!

As I was casting on this morning for the second sock, inspiration for this post struck…

This is a provisional cast on.  And when I cast on double pointed or circular needles, I like to cast on a straight needle.  The stitches for the cast on row stay better formed, and I don’t have to mess with twisting the stitches.  After knitting one row, they tend to lie flatter when putting them on the double pointed needles.

I do however find that point protectors can also keep the stitches from sliding off the needle until they are knit onto the 3 or 4 needles.

The inspiration?

Well, the point protectors would make a gift for a knitter.  They could be tucked into a stocking. 

What are some other budget-friendly last minute Christmas gifts for knitters?

1. Stitch Markers.  You can get real fancy if you like.  My personal preference are the plastic cabone rings.  They are the rings that are used for making curtains and drapes.  Lightweight  and smooth, they are easy to use and move without catching most yarns.
2. Locking Stitch Markers.  Locking stitch markers are handy for complicated patterns, when you need to keep track of where to start the next group of stitches.  They’re especially helpful for cables and lace knitting.  You can mark the stitches a row or two below your working row, and move them as needed.   Often they don’t need moved every row, unlike stitch markers like cabone rings.  Those are placed on the working row, and moved each row so you don’t knit the ring into the knitted fabric!
3. Embroidery Scissors With Scissors Point Protector.  Embroidery scissors?  Yes, they are handy to cut yarn especially fine yarn.  And their point can come in handy for snipping one stitch at a time as in making steeks.
4. Knitting Accessories Kit:  You can often find a knitting accessories kit that includes several of the items above.  And more!  Some include handy carrying cases or other tools a knitter can find useful.
5. Knitting Downloads.  Kindle has knitting books and even knitting patterns.  Maybe the ultimate last-minute gift for a knitter because there’s no waiting for delivery! 

One of the hottest books this year is “55 Christmas Balls To Knit” by Arne and Carlos.  Unfortunately for last minute shoppers, there is no 55 Christmas Balls To Knit pdf.  Sadly because downloads are an almost instant gift for Christmas and other occasions. 

For knitters, my “Snowflake Christmas Balls” knit up quickly with small amounts of yarn.  The pattern makes a last minute gift, as can the snowflake Christmas balls!  Click here now for more information.

To your healthy knitting and caregiving,

Dr.Ina

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

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

Ambassador of Elder Care, www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

As a child, I learned to knit.

My knitting was a mixture of: what my mother taught me, what I learned from a knitting pamphlet, and my own invention. Amazingly enough, it worked. Actually, it worked quite well. That is, until I attempted circular knitting and lace.

They were much less forgiving than knitting, purling, and even cables.

Over the past few years I’ve been seeking new ways (for me) to cast on. In retrospect my original cast-on either never made it to the knitting manuals or I remembered it wrong. Which is probably why it was so difficult challenging.

When I learned a two needle cast on by knitting the stitches on, my heart leaped. Now I could cast-on by simply knitting stitches on the needle. How cool is that?

Recently, I found the long-tail cast-on in Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop. Not only is it fast, it’s almost effortless to keep the stitches consistent and even. Once again, I’m in awe of Elizabeth’s knitting expertise.  Of course, she may not have invented this cast-on.

Its added bonus: with the cast-on, your first row of knitting is complete. Now that’s really clever!!

Knit side row 1 long-tail cast-on

Purl side long-tail cast-on

The pictures are a bit blurry, so the completed row may not be obvious. It’s there, though!

Here’s a picture of a simple afghan square I made with the long-tail cast on:

Here’s the link for this simple afghan square’s free knitting instructions.

So, why are the long-tail cast-on knitting instructions popular?

• You can cast-on quickly.
• The stitches slip on and can be adjusted so all stitches are even without hours of practice!
• Once you finish your cast-on row, your first row is knit. So you can start with row 2: a real time saver!
• It can be started without the first stitch being a slip knot. Combined with the even stitches, this makes a very straight border.
• It’s easy to learn.

And yes, it’s already one of my favorite cast-on methods! My only question: Why didn’t I know about it before now?

Oh, and here’s my completed Log Cabin Afghan Square, and a second version.  It’s definitely faster to piece them for a quilt!

Completed Log Cabin Afghan Square

Log Cabin Version 2

And these edges are all bind-offs, because the cast-on is for the center square.

If Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop isn’t part of your knitting library, you should seriously consider it. See if you also find this small book a treasure of knitting information.

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.

cmp.ly/5/kf4rlc

Do you closely follow knitting instructions?

Okay, I confess: my tendency is to knit the “perfect” item.

The first time.

Up tight knitter? Who me?

Sometimes I follow the instructions exactly. And sometimes I adapt them as I knit. Following the knitting instructions exactly is not as important to me as the finished project.

Ideally, I can try on a project while knitting, making adjustments as needed. Finishing a big project only to decide it doesn’t look right or doesn’t fit quite right — and can only be fixed by copious ripping and re-knitting — is not my idea of fun. Too much like wasting time.

There are some projects, like Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Surprise Jackets, that defy attempts to fit as you go. At least that’s my experience.

Adapting the Adult Surprise Jacket knitting instructions

A few weeks ago, I started my first adult surprise jacket (asj) using hand spun wool.

Adult Surprise Jacket on needles

After completing two baby surprise jackets (bsj), I felt ready to tackle this project.  This link details my adventures with the knitting instructions for my first bsj.

I did the math, and decided to try the wider sleeves. I couldn’t find any examples of the wider sleeves, and it just “felt right.”  The wider sleeves added over 30 stitches to each row.

ASJ still on needles

Folded ASJ on needles

The surprise jackets are interesting and challenging simultaneously. I’m just beginning to understand how they are constructed as I knit.  Measuring seems to involve mostly math before starting — until you finish the increases.

This pattern is especially challenging to make adjustments as you knit. If you get partway done, it could be hard to change the size without starting over.  With long rows of knitting, that could indeed be frustrating.

Thankfully, I didn’t have that particular challenge.

What did I adapt?

1. When I completed the increases, I decided the sweater was long enough without the suggested additional rows. If you look closely you’ll see the mitered corner in the front ends at the bottom of the sweater.
2. Instead of adding sleeve length, I also decided I like the wider, elbow-length sleeve reminiscent of a kimono for working around the house, especially with a sweater underneath.
   

   ASJ knit with wider sleeve

3. I opted for an I-cord edge without buttons.So no buttonholes to calculate and no buttons to sew on!
4. I bound off the shoulder seams in a different color, and ended up doing some sewing to get it to look right.

With long rows requiring a 57 inch circular needle, it really doesn’t matter if the row is off by a stitch or two. Of course, it’s nice to have an exact count, sort of like winning at solitaire.

After some delays in the knitting which had nothing to do with the pattern, it’s finally finished!

ASJ Front knit with adapted knitting instructions

ASJ Back knit with adapted knitting instructions

Subscribe now to The Knitting Yarn to get your free knitting patterns.

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.

cmp.ly/5/kf4rlc

When ready to bind off my first toe-up knee sock, I nearly didn’t.

The knitting instructions for my socks said to “bind off loosely.”  With other projects, I’d been able to bind off loosely using one or two tried-and-true methods. A sock was different.

No matter which method I tried, it just didn’t stretch enough to get it on around my heel, let alone over my calf.  I searched all my knitting instruction books without help.  None of them have toe-up sock, top-down hat or finger-down mitten knitting instructions.

In reviewing this, it seems to be a fairly common dilemma.  Socks need to be snug enough on the calf to not fall down, and the usual loose bind-offs, often aren’t elastic enough.

So, just how do you bind off loosely?

1. Knit more loosely as you bind off either by adjusting the tension or by substituting a larger needle for the right-hand needle. Neither gave enough stretch for socks.
2. Use a sewed bind-off, such as Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Sewn Casting-off  from Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac.   While she suggested using it for top down sweaters, again it just wasn’t quite elastic enough.
3. Knit with an elastic bind off method.  An Internet search led to Slip Slip Knit’s Miraculous Elastic Bind Off Knitting Instructions. And voila, it worked!  The link even includes nice pictures.

This bind-off has now become one of my favorites. And I can hardly wait to try it on other projects.

Sprucey Lucy Knee High Socks

These socks were made with Wendy Knits’ Sprucey Lucy free knitting pattern.

For a great inexpensive reference for knitting, check out Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac. It’s full of projects for every month of the year, and manages to be both charming and informative.

A couple of days ago, my cotton worsted yarn was calling.

Instead of the usual dishcloths, I decided to knit  washcloths. You know, the kind that are often referred to as spa washcloths. Many patterns for spa washcloths use garter stitch, which makes a good scrubbing surface.

However, it’s not as fancy as I wanted.

I like the two colors of a Ballband dishcloth. And making one the opposite or negative of the other economically uses 2 small balls of cotton yarn almost completely.

In looking closely at some of the dishcloths I’ve made from the Ballband knitting instructions, they looked unfinished. This one is a dish towel adapted from the Ballband knitting instructions.

Dish towel made from ballband dishcloth knitting instructions

The top and bottom have a nice border, but the sides look irregular and unfinished.

The knitting instructions give an option for crocheting a border. Part of me has always wanted to find a satisfactory knitted border option.  Somehow the crocheted border still looks unfinished to me. Or maybe sometimes I just like to make a 100% knitted item. Just because. 

I’ve been reading Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop. And her I-cord instructions seemed just right. She even provides instructions for how to turn an outside corner!

So, I combined the knitting instructions: putting an I-cord border on a Ballband dishcloth.

And the result is a spa washcloth:

Combining knitting instructions of Ballband dishcloth and I-cord: front

Combining knitting instructions of Ballband dishcloth and I-cord: back

When I read about a bride’s purse in Knitting Daily, I knew I wanted to try its free knitting instructions.

However, I didn’t have enough white crochet thread, and the correct size needles were in use for socks I started a while back. I did, however, have a purse I’d started which was sitting on a shelf. Sitting alone because I found it too hard to knit. Not wanting to give up on crochet thread, the Knitting Daily pattern was just what I needed to try again.

Knitting with 2 strands crochet thread

I like the way the two colors of crochet cotton blended, and wanted to use them. The new purse started by ripping the “old” purse, and reusing the crochet thread.

So how did I customize the knitting instructions?

• By changing the colors
• By changing the thread from one strand to two and adjusting the sizes of the needles accordingly
• By stopping when I was satisfied with the size of the purse
• By creating my own edging
• By changing the crocheted cord to an I-cord

After ripping and winding crochet thread, I started my new purse. On size 3 double pointed needles since that’s what I had. When I needed a circular needle, I used my size 4 because I don’t have a size 3. And I wanted to make the purse now, not wait until I could purchase a circular needle.

So that’s what I did. Using the larger needles, because I have 2 strands instead of the one from the pattern. It also makes a larger purse, of course. My solution was to only do two repeats of the lace before adding my own edging.

And, I didn’t want to crochet the tie. Instead, I decided to try Elizabeth Zimmermann’s I-cord, from her book Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop.

The result is a purse large enough for a cell phone, small wallet and keys. I added a lining made of two circles of fabric sewn rights sides together then turned and slip stitched in place. This has the right side of the lining peek through the lace and the right side of the lining also be inside the purse. The lining doesn’t show up well on my pictures.

Here is the final result:

Lacy purse

For the edging, I made up my own. A close-up:

Lacy purse edging

And, yes, that’s an I-cord cast off also from Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop.
.

Knitting with crochet cotton isn’t so hard. My earlier attempt at creating my own knitting instructions for a purse was complicated by knitting too few stitches on the circular needle.

All in all, it’s not so hard to customize the knitting instructions for a lace purse.

Want more detailed instructions for customizing a knit bag? Grab your free custom bag pattern by subscribing today!