How I Closed the Gap After Binding Off Toe Up Socks: A Tutorial

You know how you get that unsightly gap when knitting in the round? It appears at the top of the cuff on socks whether they are knit toe-up or cuff-down. When knitting socks from the cuff down, I always knit the first 3-4 stitches with both the working yarn and the tail. The extra bulk eliminates the gap, and the top of the sock appears symmetrical.

Take a look at my first picture. Don't be afraid to look. Just look at that ugly gap that would want to make your lovely hand knits socks look retarded and make the non-knitters in your life prefer store bought socks. When binding off toe-up socks, (I used Jenny's surprisingly stretchy bind off), all you have is the working yarn . You might find yourself in a dilemma. I know that you want to prove to all of your non-knitting friends that hand knit socks are something to drool over and not cringe at. I'm here for you and here is my solution. It is a common crochet technique.

Once you have fastened off your yarn. Leave a tail as long as desired for weaving. If this is new to you--about 5 inches.

Next, after threading yarn into your tapestry needle, you will insert the needle under both loops of the second bound-off stitch to the left . Note the helpful numbers that have been inserted into the picture--thanks Picasa. Draw the yarn through from front to back.

Now you will bring the needle back to the front and insert it under both loops of the last bound off stitch (also front to back). This stitch is actually where you fastened off.

This is how it looks before tightening--kind of like the number 8 if you were looking down at it.

There you have it! After pulling the yarn through, you will have a gapless, symmetrical end to your toe-up sock. All of your friends will marvel 'cause you are a toe-up sock knitting wonder!

I hope this little tutorial is helpful. If you have questions, leave a comment. Have a GRRRREAT Day!!!

Shamefully Shameless

Having a Ravelry account will definitely make you aware of how long it takes to complete a project. Attaching dates, well, it can make one feel ashamed. Almost. Since these are my own socks and it's 106 degrees in Oklahoma City, was there really any need to rush? That is my justification for this pair of socks. Let's wait and see what I have to say about the next pair.

Anyway, I'll just move along to my thoughts regarding the two-at-a-time toe-up socks. I really like the figure eight cast on. I also enjoyed working the knit in the front and back loop increases. It wasn't until I knit, tinked, and re-knit the short-row heel that I became a hater. But, that was easily resolved 'cause I simply separated the twins.

Regia Crazy Color,Size 2 Knit picks Circulars,Toe-up two-at-a-time

After separation all went well...until I put them down.

I finally picked them up found them and got them completed. I still have to weave in the ends. By the way, Jenny's surprisingly stretchy bind off is a winner!


Just wanted to show a back shot with orange across the bind-off. The front of both socks has the jacquard print. I appreciate how Regia's yarn will make identical socks. Sometimes it's necessary to start at the end of the ball on one and the beginning of the ball on the other, but that's no big deal. With this pair, I had to cut off quite a bit to get them to match up. I'm weird like that. I don't like strangley shaped pancakes (round, please) and I insist that my socks match from the cuff to the toe.

Keep reading. I'll be hosting a giveaway soon.

Have a happy day!!

Been Sewin'

Since my last post, I've not done much else other than sew. Several of my items are now on sale at a local boutique. Nothing is selling on Etsy, and so even these bags will not be listed there. I am so grateful for sales from friends and acquaintances. They keep me encouraged. I think I do better locally because people can actually see the workmanship and quality that I put into everything that I make. If that is not the reason, then who knows?

The weather here has been unbelievable. We had an awful thunder/hailstorm on Sunday. When you drive around today, you see lots and lots of blue tarp on roofs. There are many windows boarded and many car windows taped with plastic. The hail was almost to your knees in one area of my mother-in-law's neighborhood. After the storm, there was so much hail, it looked as if it had snowed. Pretty strange. We call it "end-time" weather.

I have finished knitting one of my some-of-the-time toe-up socks. I tried to cast off using size 6 needles and it was still too tight. I'm going to find a stretchy cast off sometime today on the internet. I will post pics when I'm done with the second sock. Who knows will that will be.... Second Sock Syndrome is hovering.

Have a happy day!!

Two Socks and Six Tees

It seemed to take forever, but I have finally completed the short-row heel of one of my two-at-a-time toe up socks. Someone please rescue me from Stockinette Island! Once I get past the ankle, I am going to do something. I don't know what yet, but definitely something. Some kind of pattern. If I don't work in a pattern, I know that I will put these socks down. I'm trying to keep this technique off of my "I Will Never Do That Again" list. Oh, and I apologize for the horrid rainy day pictures.

I'm diggin' that short-row heel. Look at that gap though. It seems pretty big to me. I'll have to twist the stitch for sure. It may even call for more lengthy surgery. I won't know until after I complete the heel on the other sock.

My daughter's school is doing a reinactment of the Oklahoma Land Run. Her "family" is to be known as the Cowgirls. We embellished t-shirts with cow print fabric and made a covered wagon. The girls were all in on the tees, but they fizzed out on me during the wagon construction. Never fear, super crafty mom took care of it. Actually, I think that I had the most fun.

Oklahoma is known as the Sooner state. Warning....a bit of history lesson is about to be typed. Waaaaay back in 1889, Indian Territory was opened to settlers. There were lots and lots of people lined up at the border and once the signal was given, they ran or rode in to claim their piece of land. Some settlers sneaked in early and thus, became known as the Sooners. Is this a great state or what?

Have a wonderful weekend!

New Technique

The process of knitting self-patterning socks is always captivating. It's so fun to knit your way to the next color. It has been all the more fun with these socks because I am learning to knit two at a time from the toe up.

After only one bad start, I have somewhat grasped the technique. Now that the increasing rounds are done, it's become more of a relaxing project. Silver's Sock class is the tutorial that I'm using. The next time I make socks in this way, I will cast on more stitches. I used 8 as instructed, but she used a worsted weight yarn and I didn't consider that until I was almost done with the toe stitches.

I'm supposed to be preparing for the Craft Fair, but wanted a little distraction. It worked. ;-)

Have a great weekend everyone!!