Toes

Since I've never done a toe-up sock before, I am really impressed with the following little piece of knitting:

It's the start of the Lace and Cable Socks (Ravel it) in Wendy Johnson's new book.* Just the very start; I've only just got to the part where I begin the stitch pattern, but I feel accomplished enough with just the toe. It's like all the hard work is out of the way already.

I used Judy's Magic Cast-On and many thanks to Jody-with-a-y, by the way, for pointing out the Knitty tutorial. The cast on is really very simple even with DPNs, but I found the Knitty article much clearer than the one in the book (even with fewer pictures). Once I read that, and after a first try during which I strangled the hell out of the yarn, and with a little bit of trouble keeping the computer screen from timing out as I worked (with no hands to spare), and with a few dodges of some rogue needles (some coordination is involved, unfortunately) everything went very smoothly. After I find some stitch markers (where do those things go?) I can knit on.

And Livvy has some new toes too. Blue-ty Call anyone? She dug through what I had and rejected them all as being too pink. (My three-year old is hipper than I am.) I got me some new polish too--in pink, of course--that's perfect for the stylin' Canuck. Nice Color, Eh?

*Some of the pictures in the book are cracking me up. Brush off your Russian accent and say with me, "I am sock model."

Comments

[Jody]

I'm so going to get myself some Blue-ty Call. :)

[Nadine]

I, too, used Judy's Magic Cast On upon the advice of a die-hard toe-up knitter. I thought it was neat once I got the hang of it. I think the hardest part about doing a sock toe-up is the heel - I suck at short rows. It sounds so simple, but I was stumped. I guess I'll just have to stick to knitting my socks leg-down. :(

Oh, those silly sock models doing twisty tricks. She's probably cramping and in terrible pain. Poor thing.

[Jennifer]

I'm going to try it too, thanks! I bought the toe up socks and yarn for a pair about a month ago and i'm almost ready to cast on, so perfect timing!

[Holly Jo]

I don't think people that skinny and in such skimpy dresses actually wear socks. :) Certainly not handknit ones.

I love toe up socks. Does this pattern have a heel flap? She always writes on her blog about heel flaps toe up as being great, but I have never attempted one.

[stefaneener]

You'd think that sock models could avoid the whole model stereotypes -- just have nice feet. Oh well. "Give me love, give me love!"

Nice toes, too.

[Lisa]

Ok. Coupla things. First, from a non-knitter. I had NO IDEA you ever used more than two needles. WOW. You could hurt yourself. Second- say with me 'I am Pocahontas and somebody stole my moccasin so now I wear white man sock.'

[Ella]

Ha ha! I work with a bunch of Russians - perhaps I could get one of them to say it for me? Of course, they're all guys, and mostly dorks at that (we're engineers, what can I say?) so... yeah.

"I am sock model."

*giggle*

Beautiful toes Livvy!

[Stacey]

First your bit with the Russian model and then Lisa's comment. You guys are hilarious.

[KimK]

I just bought this book, too! It's great, but yes, the models are... a little... weird.

I've made a couple of toe-ups. Getting started is the worst part. Short-row heels look cool and aren't *very* hard, just read and follow the directions.

Love the colorway of your sock yarn!