Monica Knits

Start ToesThe toes begin when the the sock is two inches (2") from the tip of your longest toe. Beginning with 32 sts on each circular needle, the sock is tapered with symmetrical decreases on alternate rounds for 2", until ten (10) stitches remain on each needle. Knitting the toes with smaller 2.0 mm diameter needles improves durability.

The sock is knitted in face front orientation (not in profile like the gusset) to simplify knitting instructions. The traditional decrease pattern in face front orientation is easy to remember because decreases occur 1 stitch in from both ends of each needle.

This article is one segment of the "Basic Sock" series. The demonstration sock, a woman's medium size, is based on 64 leg sts. To link to other articles in this series, either: a) click on the index hyperlink in the masthead, then socks and select the desired article or, b) click on the Basic Socks link at the bottom of this article, then click on the desired topic.

TOE DECREASE INSTRUCTIONS
Round 1: On needle 1 *(k1, ssk, k across until 3 sts before the end of the needle, k2tog, k1); repeat from * on needle 2.
Round 2 and all even rounds; k all sts across both needles
Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until 10 sts remain on each needle.
Cut yarn, leaving a 10" tail.

Quality Control Tips

1. The start of a round is the beginning of the needle that holds the heel stitches. Place a marker at the center of each needle.
2. At the end of a round, each of the two circular needles has the same, even number of stitches. Periodically check to make certain. The mostly likely error is to decrease at one end of a needle and forget to do so at the opposite end. By checking the count periodically, this can be caught and remedied before the error is compounded.
3. If you find a needle with an odd number of stitches, the characteristic "V" of 2 stitches coming together can indicate which end was missed. Another method is to count stitches on either side of the markers placed for exactly this purpose.

NEXT STEP - Kitchener Stitch (Grafting the Toes)
In preparation for grafting the toes, transfer the knitting to two small diameter dpns; my preference is 1.75 mm diameter. Using smaller needles provides ease for threading the darning needle through the loops.
Click here to transfer to the Basic Socks article.