So now that I’ve made several pairs of adult socks, I want to make a pair for my 7 yr old granddaughter. But she is quite picky and sensitive to textures. So I don’t think she’d wear a pair with heel flap, gussett etc. so I purchased the directions for flk heel. But it basically just tells how to do heel not a whole pattern. So I’ve been searching for a pattern to use. But since I’ve only followed a whole pattern and not pieced one together I’m struggling. Any suggestions? She sees me knitting and keeps asking when I’m going to make her some. But I want to do something I know she will wear…
The Fish Lips Kiss heel will work with either toe up or cuff down socks. Which do you prefer to knit? It seems that you can adapt almost any sock pattern to the directions given for the heel but you need to take the measurements and create a template as instructed. The difference comes when you reach the points indicated in the heel directions. That’s where you would substitute the FLK heel.
For me, it all seems easier to work with the toe up socks since you can try them on (or try them on your template) as you knit.
@Beth_Leatherman have you used this heel?
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I tried FLK, but I have a high instep and it is too tight in the instep for me. There are adaptations for that, but I reverted to my tried and true Fleegle heel. I learned it from knitfreedom.com. I have since changed the SSK and P2tog to lean the opposite ways as they do in the original Fleegle post using K2tog and SSP. (Let me know if you need links.)
I adapted knitfreedom.com’s (Liat Gaat is the writer’s name) to baby size socks. You can probably adapt to child-size as well. She even has a picture of my baby socks on her site! She has an any-size, any-yarn pattern, but I used her bulky adult socks with DK yarn and small needles which worked perfectly.
Also, I use the Turkish cast on and two 16” circular needles. I bought inexpensive needles on Amazon (two sets of 16” needles sizes 00 and up at about $12 per set). I tried Chiaogoo 16” and didn’t find them any better.
Instead of turning and purling the back side of the heel, I knit backwards. I found this on YouTube as well as how to do the SSP backwards.
I used a princess sole on my first pair of socks. The smooth, knit side is on the inside. However, I found that I don’t need to do that with sock yarn.
I’m by no means an expert sock knitter, but I do enjoy making them! I never saw the attraction but now I’m addicted! There’s a great group of sock knitters on Facebook.
How else can I help?
Beth
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I’ve only done cuff down socks so far. I guess I’ll start with measuring her foot to make template. And then put together parts of patterns I’ve collected(only a few). Seems to be a lot of baby/toddler socks but not so much young kids. But maybe I have enough to know what to cast on and go from there. I have only used dpn’s. I don’t have a problem with them (actually enjoy them). I’ll check those websites.
Sounds like you know how to proceed! I like toe-up because I did not like picking up stitches and always had holes at the beginning and end of the pick up round.
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Well I have been looking for a pattern that I can sort of follow so I know how many stitches to cast on. I’ve seen the videos for Turkish cast on and Judy’s magic cast on. Seems pretty understandable. But now I’m stumped until I can find a pattern to use. I’ve only been knitting for a little over a yr and lack the confidence for something that is not spelled out for me. So I might have to go with plan B which is cuff down ( which I have a pattern for a child). Then try toe up for adult and maybe I will gain enough knowledge to be able to change it for a child. I really do like knitting socks. I’ll keep searching but it’s kind of frustrating me so it might be best if I proceed with plan B. Thanks for all your suggestions!
I did a Google search and found this for sizes baby through teen.
https://www.yumiyarns.com/product-page/basic-toe-up-kids-socks-class
The pattern is free on Ravelry and there’s an adult version too. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-toe-up-socks-7. It uses a German short-row heel. I believe you can switch it out for FLK. I think heels are interchangeable as long as you have the same number of stitches.
Beth
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Thanks so much. I think this will work. I had looked on ravelry and did multiple google search. Never saw this. I must have not put the correct info in search bar. I like how it explains well and also has tutorial links. Once again thanks for taking your time to help!!
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You’re welcome! I just got lucky. I’m sure I didn’t search for any magic word! I’m glad I could help!
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Another question… once I’m passed the toe part using magic loop, can I switch to regular dpn to do foot (my preference). I’ve watched some of the tutorials that are linked on that pattern. She uses flex needles. At this point I don’t plan to invest in a set. They kind of confused me, though maybe if I got some and practiced it would make more sense.
Yes! You can switch methods any time!
Beth
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