October 18th, 2009

Grey skies with intermittent showers. A good day for knitting baby socks. I have a couple pairs for baby already, but I am knitting various sizes as for when it grows. For the most part I use four double point #6US needles, but for newborns or preemies, use smaller gauge needles. Maybe I will try to make a baby sweater one day when I know what gender the wee one is.

tenzicut's Baby Socks

For the Cuff:

Put 8 stitches on three of the needles for a total of 24. Be careful not to twist the stitches, Knit 2, Purl 2 all the way around for 15 rounds. Then work 3 rounds of stockinette (just knit). At beginning of the 4th round, divide for the heel.

Divide for the Heel:

Transfer stitches so there are 12 stitches on the first needle and 6 on the remaining two needles. Work back and forth on the first needle only.
Row 1: Slip 1, knit to the end. (Slip stitch as if to purl, but don't purl it)
Row 2: Slip1, purl to the end

Keep doing these two steps for 12 rows total.

Turn Heel:

Row 1: Slip 1, purl 7, purl 2 together, turn
Row 2: Slip 1, knit 4, knit 2 together, turn
Row 3: Slip 1, purl to one stitch before the last turn (you will see a gap), knit 2 together, turn
Row 4: Slip 1, knit to one stitch before the last turn (look for the gap, knit 2 together, turn

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all the ends are used up, ending with a right side row. There will be 6 stitches left.

Gusset:

Continue working on the same needle, pick up and knit 8 stitches alongside of the heel (needle 1). Using a new needle, knit across the stitches Using a new needle, knit across the stitches in the next 2 needles (needle 2). You should have 11 stitches on needle 2. Using yet another needle, pick up and knit 8 stitches across the other side of the heel and continue knitting to the middle of the heel stitches. You should end up with 11 stitches on needles 1 and 3, and 12 stitches on needle 2.

The center of the heel is now your starting place for the beginning of each round.

Decreasing:

Round 1: Knit
Round 2: Knit to the last 3 stitches of the first needle. Knit 2 together, knit 1. Knit across the second needle. On 3rd needle, knit 1, slip slip knit.

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until there are 6 stitches on needles 1 and 3. Move stitches so there are now 8 on each needle. so move 2 stitches from needle 2 to both needles 1 and 3. You ought to be back to 24 stitches total on all needles combined.

Knit in the round for again for 10 to 12 rows. You can slip the sock on to see if there needs to be 10 or 12 rounds for length. Only the big toe should be sticking out.

Toe shaping:

Move 2 stitches from needles 1 and 3 to needle 2. 6 stitches on needles one and 3, 12 stitches on needle 2.

Round 1: On needle 1, knit to the last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. On needle 2, knit 1, slip slip knit, knit to the last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1.
Round 2: Knit

Repeat rounds 1 and 2, until there are 12 stitches total left on all needles. (3 on needles 1 and 3 and 6 on needle 2).

Kitchner stitch:

Continue to knit on needle 3. Knit on needle 1. Now only use 2 needles, 6 stitches on each. Cut the yarn leaving 18 inches or so. Thread the yarn on a darning needle. You will now have a front knitting needle and a back knitting needle.

Step 1: Slip the darning needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit. Pull the stitch off the needle.
Step  2: Slip the darning needle into the second stitch on the front needle as if to purl. Leave the stitch ON the needle.
Step  3: Slip the darning needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to purl. Pull the stitch off the needle.
Step  4: Slip the darning needle into the second stitch on the back needle as if to knit. Leave the stitch ON the needle.

Repeat steps 1-4 until all the stitches are woven. Weave in the ends. now start your second sock. I am HORRIBLE at the Kitchner Stitch.. so I just weave them in. It works.

~ I don't know where I got the original pattern.

I have made a pair of blue ones and the green/white/yellow pair in the photo above, I have been looking for some nice soft fall coloured yarn, but have failed in 2 countries to find any yet. I enjoy making baby socks and have been making them since Angelia's last child was born. They are a quick and easy project.

In between I am still working on the rust/yellow pair with the diamond pattern. I am thinking on how I want to do the foot part.. plain or diamond as well.