Please help! My mind has gone BLANK! I have only knitted one sock. It was only a “practice” sock. I have started a “real” sock now. I am so proud of my cuff it looks really great. But, now I am to the part where you start the heel. I cannot remember, when it’s time to divide the stiches do I take my free needle and slip the stitches off or do I use the needles that already have stitches on them and divide that way? I know I can’t believe I am asking this question. :shrug: :wall:
OK the heel
are you using [B]4 dpn’s or 5?[/B]
I’ll start with 4–
How are the stitches divided?
to knit the heel you need 1/2 of the stitches on 1 needle.
the “beginning of round” is in the center of this group of stitches–which will be all on one needle
IF-- you have your stitches divided evenly (20/20/20) you’ll have to slip some stitches.
if you have your stitches 15/30/15, you won’t have to slip or reposition stitches.
so if needle 1 has 20 stitches, the last 5 are NOT knit, (but slipped onto needle 2 (instep)
the work is turned,
you Slip1, Purl the row,(15 stitches)
then you continue onto Needle 3 (and purl 15 stitches from that needle.
(5 are left over… they get slipped onto needle 2)
Then you have 30 stitches on Needle 2 (instep)
5 from needle1, 20 that were there, and 5 from needle 3.
on the other needle, you also have 30 stitches (15 stitches from needle 1 and 15 stitches from needle 3)
[B]you have 2 empty dpn’s![/B]
Put one away. use the other 2 to knit heel flap (keep a beginning of round marker in the center of this group of stitches–you’ll need it later when you return to knitting in the round.
after the flap is knit, and the heel turned, you will go back to using all 4 needles–and Needle 1 will start the round (center of sole) and needle 4 will end the round.
when using a [B]set of 5 dpns[/B] ALMOST ALWAYS the stitches are divided evenly (needle 4 and needle 1 are sole of sock, needle 2 and 3 are the instep)
ALMOST ALWAYS you don’t have to slip or reposition any stitches.
just use 2 needles (the stitches on needle 4 and needle 1) for flap. (and again, keep beginning of round marker in center of this group)
you’ll have flap on a single needle, (+1 to work these stitches) instep on 2 needles, and again have a spare needle
Thanks so much for that info of troy. Whew! I swear I can’t believe how much help this site is!!! By the way it is 4 dpn. I totally forgot to put that bit of information in.