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October 24, 2005

A Little More Magic

Thank you all for your wonderful response to the magic loop "tutorial". I hope some of you try it and have success. I worked the heel and gusset of the second sock this weekend, so I thought I'd share those steps with you as well.

The heel and gusset are done just like you would with dpns, but you have to reposition the stitches on the two needles. The first thing to do is work the heel as specified in your pattern. Reposition your stitches so that you have rearranged them with the heel stitches on one needle and the instep stitches on the second needle.

Then pull the cord out just like when you started.

You work the heel stitches and keep the instep stitches on the cable.

Then turn the heel according to the pattern instructions.

Once you've completed the heel it's time to pick up the stitches for the gusset and rearrange your stitches again. I knit the heel stitches over to the left edge of the heel and picked up the specified number of stitches.

After I picked up the left side stitches I rearranged the stitches so the cord divided the stitches between the instep stitches. This left half the total stitches on each side. The first couple of rounds after you pick up the stitches for the gusset are a little awkward, but it gets easier as you go. I use stitch markers to indicate the end of the foot and the beginning of the instep.

After that you just cruise along until you're finished.

Look at those matching stripes! I'm so excited that they match.

Project Specs:
Pattern: Conwy from Knitting on the Road
Yarn: Harry Potter Gryffindor Yarn from Sunshine Yarns
Needles: Size 1 40" Addi Turbo - magic loop method
Modifications: None, except using the magic loop instead of dpns.
Thoughts: I really like these socks. I was unsure about using a patterned sock for a self-striping yarn, but I think they turned out ok. I love how the ribbing fits and I'm pleased with the pattern - hopefully the recipient likes them too. This is my first attempt at top-down socks for quite awhile and I enjoyed them. The toe turned out nice and fits well and the use of chain stitches on the heel flap makes picking up stitches very easy. Nancy Bush recommends picking up only the front half of the stitch and then knitting through the back loop. I found that it made a nice row of stitches without any holes. I'll definately try another pair of socks top-down.

I'm on to finishing Ronnie and I cast on for the Ombre Blanket. Knitting on size 11 needles after size 1's is like knitting with trees! Hopefully it will get better as I go. Have a great Monday.