Help with Socks

#1

Hi everyone,

So I’m knitting my first pair of socks, and I had hoped that when I got to the heel it would just make sense. Well, it doesn’t now that I’m actively knitting and was hoping someone can help.

My pattern has 48 stitches divided on 3 needles (12, 24, and 12). You work the stitches in K2P2 ribbing for the calf before getting to the heel. This is where it all goes horribly wrong.

“Work in established pattern across the 12 sts of needle #1. Sl the sts just worked on needle #1 onto needle #3 so that sts are divided in half onto two DP needles - 24 sts on each needle. You will now work only the combined sts of needles #1 and #3 (the heel flap sts) while the instep sts (needle #2) are left on hold.
Work the heel flap as follows: Turn Work.
Row 1: Sl 1, P across row. Turn work.
Row 2: *Sl 1, K1, repeat from * across row, slipping every other st.
Repeat these 2 rows until heel flap measures 2.5”, end having just finished row 2."

So does this mean I’m turning the work at the end of row one, doubling back across, and at the end of row 2 connecting them? My row 1 is the WS, so I knit back across that, but when I get to the end of the second row I can’t imagine I wouldn’t turn the work and that I’d join this in the round. It would seem that I’m turning and knitting back across unless I don’t understand this correctly?

The knitting then goes on to say "Turn the heel: Continue working on the heel flap sts as follows:
Row 1: Sl 1, P12, P2 together, P1, turn.
Row 2: Sl 1, K3, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 3: Sl 1, P4, P2 together, P1, turn.
Row 4: Sl 1, K5, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 5: Sl 1, P6, P2 together, P1, turn.
Continue in this manner, slipping the first st of ever row, working to 1 st before the “gap,” working 2 sts together over the gap (SSK on K rows, P2 together on P rows), working one more st before turning work for the next row, until all sts on the outside of the gap have been worked. End having just finished K row. 14 sts left on needle."
This just seems so confusing to me!

Thanks,
Kelly

#2

For right now, you are working back and forth on only two needles. This creates the heel part of the sock. After you shaped the heel, you will go back to knitting in the round again.

#3

You are making the heel flap by just working that part of your work and ignoring the two other needles. Dorret Conway over on YouTube has an excellent video series on socks and the crucial parts of them. I would watch her videos over and over while working Christmas stocking until I got it right.

Watch her series so that you become a little more familiar with each part of constructing a stocking. It made reading the pattern so much easier for me.

#4

Thank you so much to those who replied. I actually had knit a whole bunch before seeing these videos, so it was really great to confirm that what I had done was correct. Thank you all again!

#5

OK, so last question about the socks. The pattern I have is written so that when you shape the toe you start with your original 48 sts across 4 needles, 12 on each needle. Then it says the following:

"Rnd 1: While knitting across each needle, K2 together at the end of each needle.
Rnd 2: K across rnd without decreasing.

Repeat these rnds 3 more times, ending with rnd 2. 8 sts on each needle. Then work rnd 1 only until 8 sts remain (2 sts on each needle). Cut yarn leaving 6" tail, place on a darning needle and pass through remaining sts. Pull tight and weave in ends."

If I want to work my sock like in the video series in the other reply, how many sts should there be to graft the toe? The woman in the video series mentions 10 on two needles (20 sts total), but I think I originally didn’t have the same number of sts she did so I’m not sure that this would be the same for me? What are your thoughts?

#6

I’ve always done my toe decreases across the three needles I used to build the instep tube. I do decreases at both ends of the instep needle (usually needle No. 2, but the one with the most stitches on it) Start out with K1, Sl st., K1, PSSO, knit to last three, K2 tog K1.
Then on Needle No. 3 do K1, Sl st., K1, PSSO, knit to end.
Needle No. 1 Knit to last 3 st., then K2 tog K1

Now, depending on your pattern you will either keep decreasing or knit a round between decreases. It will tell you to decrease until you have so many stitches and then do your grafting stitch for the toe. It appears that your pattern calls for 16 stitches across each of the two needles for grafting (which is common and leaves a comfortable toe pocket).

The best Kitchner Stitch video is here on KH. I still watch it while grafting.

#7

OK, I might be confusing myself more because the order you’ve written seems out of orderbased on what I have. So I have 12 sts on needle one, 24 sts on needle 2, and 12 sts on needle 3, and I start my round with needle 1.

So would this be the way I’d do it:

Rnd 1: (needle 1) K until three sts remain, K2tog, K1.
(needle 2) K1, Sl1, K1, psso, K until three sts remain, K2tog, K1.
(needle 3) K1, Sl1, K1, psso, K remaining.

I guess I just was confused because it seemed like with your instructions I’d begin knitting on needle 2, but my round begins on needle 1. I think I understand, but when I start to deviate from the pattern I get freaked out. But I think I’d prefer your method of decreasing.

#8

:thumbsup:yep you can do the toe decreases that way…when I do toe decreases that is how my needles are set up and Needle 1 is the start of my round…

#9

That’s exactly right! I’ve done so many stockings and socks, not to mention the preparatory practice stuff that I’ve gotten to where I can divide for my heel flap and gusset work in my sleep. I honestly don’t pay attention to needle numbers unless I’m working an unfamiliar pattern and need to keep rapt attention on where I am in a project.

Anyway, it sounds like you have got the gist of it and I bet you’re knitting socks in your sleep soon, too. :stuck_out_tongue:

#10

Angela- Thank you for the link to those videos!!! I am starting to feel like I could knit socks soon! :knitting: