Knitting Instructions: What’s an elastic loose bind off (cast off)?

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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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:

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.

How many different knitting instructions to knit a sock?

Awhile ago, I started a pair of socks.

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?

1. 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.
2. 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!
3. Ribbing by using the free 1940s pattern for Spiral Bed Socks knitting instructions.
4. Adjusting the gusset for a high foot arch with WendyKnit’s knitting instructions for a high instep.
5. Knitting an old-fashioned reinforced heel with the stocking heel stitch knitting instructions.
6. 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!
7. Creating my own cast-off, which may or may not wear well. I’ll let you know.

And the result, is:

I opted not to make a separate cuff at the top. The ribbing seems to hold it fine for now. I’m happy with sock as is.

Now to finish the second one!

For more free patterns, check out my Free Goodies Page.

Projects in progress

Right now, I have three projects on the needles, although thankfully not the same needles!

The more I talk to knitters, the more I realize I’m not alone. And there are perfectly good reasons why each of these projects remains “in progress.”  You may have the same problem challenge.

Here are my current projects:

I started these socks in the early spring. It was unusually cool for South Carolina. And now, well, it’s summer. Thankfully, there’s air conditioning. These are my first pair for myself, and I’m not sure how to finish the tops. the first cuff I tried was too tight. And, then other projects popped up.

This is actually the second of two fingerless mittens. You can see the cuff here. The color is actually a deeper purple. And it’s Caron Simply Soft Yarn -Iris, so it’s, well, very soft! Mittens in summer? Yes, the fingerless ones are nice for folks with arthritis or other conditions of their wrists and hands. They do seem to decrease the stiffness and aching, at least for some folks.

My final project is the one I started last.

I saw the directions for Entrelac in the round, and well, just had to try it. It’s challenging and interesting. And I’m not quite sure what it’s going to be. I’m thinking maybe a cell phone purse, and am open to suggestions. These colors are also brighter than the picture shows.

Here’s a final picture of the base row of triangles for this entrelac. Yes, they do look odd. And they do straighten themselves out after the next tier: the first tier of rectangles.

Be sure to check out other fiber artists at Alpaca Farm Girl’s Fiber Arts Friday.

Knitting two socks

My socks are coming along.

As you can see, the second sock is now longer than the first.  This is the first pair of socks I’ve knit for myself.

Being somewhat frugal, I’m using two skeins of different yarn to stretch the Austermann Step Sock Yarn in Sunset Fairisle from Alpaca Direct. I like the color combination, and am happy the two yarns go together so well.  The Austermann Step Sock Yarn is soft, and has aloe and jojoba in it.  My hands feel softer after knitting even a few rounds.  So, I’m sure my feet will appreciate the yarn next winter!

As is typical for me, I’m customizing the pattern. Or should I say patterns?  You see, I’m combining two patterns, plus an old-fashioned reinforced heel stitch.  I certainly don’t want my socks to wear out too soon! And knowing me, I can be hard on socks.  Or maybe I just keep mending and wearing them a long time …

Here’s a closeup of the heels:

And the leg:

If you look closely at the ribbing, you can see how it seems to be knit in a spiral.  I’m hoping the ribbing plus knitting the leg a smidgen narrow for my leg will keep the socks up.  If not I may have to put in elastic … make an old-fashioned garter … or maybe invent something!

Of course, that’s after I finish the socks!  I’ve been wondering if I could knit two socks simultaneously, but decided that would require a second set of needles, plus I’d have to stop and divide the yarn on my skein.  And, frankly, I’d rather be knitting.

Speaking of which, it’s time to knit …

Knitting a sock

Some days, knitting seems to go really quickly.

And other days, even when knitting, it seems slower.  Sometimes it’s adjusting a pattern, and sometimes it’s the ripping and knitting the same section again.

This sock seems to be going slowly.  For one thing, I decided to add a reinforced old-fashioned heel stitch to the heel.  The directions were for two needles, so an adjustment although minor was needed for working the gusset in the round.  Not a big deal.  I did find keeping track of those stitches and the increases for the gusset challenging.

Especially when I couldn’t concentrate 100% on my knitting.

Which is a good thing, since that’s one of the things I love about knitting.  I learned to multitask while knitting — long before the term was used.  It does take a certain concentration.  And if listening for someone in the other end of the house, well, sometimes the knitting gets interrupted.

And, perseverance eventually pays off.  I did manage to turn the heel, and am happy with the result.

Which leads to another question: how long are these socks going to be?

I don’t know.  I’m thinking of working a while, putting my stitches on holders, and starting the second sock.  With the idea of using about the same amount of yarn to see how much is left.  Maybe giving myself a little more time for inspiration to strike may help.  I’m not sure how I want to incorporate the solid turquoise in the legs, whether alternating striped of Fair Isle and solid … or maybe just work as far as I can in Fair Isle and then finish in sold.

Decisions, decisions.  What a lovely dilemma!

Well, back to knitting…

Another week, another sock

I’ve always loved Fair Isle knitting.

It always seemed either too complicated or more bother than I wanted to put into it.  Maybe it was the multiple colors?

So, recently when I saw the Fair Isle pencil case pattern, I knew I had to try it.

It was easier than I thought, and very enjoyable.  I do love making articles for charity.  And Darfur is a very good cause.

Just like when I saw the Austermann Step Sock Yarn in Sunset Fairisle at Alpaca Direct, I knew I wanted to try it.  Since it was on sale, and I needed just that amount for their free shipping, the timing seemed right.

The yarn is not only self-striping, but also self-Fair Isle.  I figure it doesn’t get much better than this…

So, I ordered one ball, and decided to try a pair of socks.

After all, knitting socks with five needles is complicated enough without carrying yarn, too.  Not really, but it’s as good an excuse as any!

I also have a skein of Wildfoote sock yarn left over, so decided to try knitting the toes and heels with it.  My guess was it would be close enough in color to go with the turquoise in the Austermann yarn.

If I make my favorites, knee-highs, I may need it for part of the leg.  We’ll see.

Anyway, here’s my new sock:

And a close-up version…

You can see the striping and the start of the Fair Isle pattern even better on the back:

Guess I’d better get back to work so you can see more…

Happy knitting!