Monica Knits

Even though I haven't posted many knitting articles recently, I have completed 8 pairs of socks over the past 3 weeks, including another pair of lily of the valley socks as a gift. I'm adding additional tips to my knitting notes, because a friend has asked me to order the pattern and some wool for her, so I wanted to make sure there weren't any surprises in the pattern. I didn't follow it exactly the first time; this time I decided I had better do so, or I wouldn't be able to answer questions on the instructions. The first tip concerns the use of stitch markers for parsing lace repeat patterns. Read more ....

I actually purchased Charlene Schurch's second sock book, "More Sensational Knitted Socks," first. I saw it in the library and purchased it when I began knitting socks for others, who weren't readily available for fitting. The photos also proved useful in determining sock styles that appealed to the intended gift recipient.

Her first book, "Sensational Knitted Socks," serves the same purpose but also provides more of the basics of sock knitting. It does, however, presume a basic knitting skill level. Read more ...

I recently read the book, "Folk Socks," by Nancy Bush, which I enjoyed just as much as her book, "Knitted Lace of Estonia." Not only does the book have a fascinating history of sock knitting in many countries, but it explains the process, terms, hows and whys of sock knitting very well and I highly recommend it. It is a good resource if you are new to socks, and it has some inspirational socks, for new and experienced sock knitters. I was in college when this book was published; otherwise I'm sure I would have added it to my collection long ago. Read more....

Heel Flap ViewSince I wear out the soles of my socks at the pads and heel bases, I decided to try Wayne Pfeffer's Two-Yarn Resoleable Socks, with minor changes. The self-striping, black based yarn twisted with yellow, blue, and rose yarns, is used for the cuff, body, instep and toes, and the contrasting black color for the heel and sole. Since I do not wear out the toes, I modified the pattern to knit the toes in the main, variegated yarn.                 Read more ...

GamesIt was overcast, but we had a few inches of fresh snow and our dog Shaq was having a blast running around the yard and jumping through the snow. I smiled and joined the fun--I made tractor tracks and snow angels! His exuberance reminded me of Heidi's antics as a puppy and the games my sister and I used to play in the snow. Dogs may not create snow angels or tractor tracks, but other of our childhood games were amazingly similar to the puppy's. Read more...

There are times when a toe-up sock might be the preferred construction method, for example with slip stitch patterns that traverse multiple rows, like the fireflowers stitch pattern. Other cable or multi-row patterns may also benefit from a toe-up approach. It is more aesthetically pleasing to start and end a cable pattern in the middle; by starting long patterns at the toes, rather than the cuff, you are not left with awkward pattern adjustments to accomodate various foot lengths. You can more easily add a few stitch pattern rows before beginning the cuff for a pleasing transition, than reduce pattern rows on the foot to achieve a pleasing end. Perhaps the best reason of all for a toe up sock is when knitting for children--you can lengthen the sock as they grow, as you could for sleeves on a top down sweater for a child. For these cases there is a slightly modified cuff.

• Provisional Cast on or Foundation Row
• Toes
• Foot
• Gusset
• Turning Heel
• Heel Flap
• Leg or Body
• Further Reading

Design Features: Designed by Susan Lawrence, the gold merino wool/silk blend socks have an overall 3x2 lace rib design for comfort and fit, accented with mock cables for the Moc Croc^a pattern style. The lace rib pattern runs from cuff to start of heel, and then continues the length of the sock, instep only, to the toes. The pattern includes instructions for both an ankle and crew length sock.

A few minor modifications were made to Susan's pattern, but design intent was preserved. I purchased the pattern for its striking stitch pattern; my husband also commented on it when he saw me knitting the socks. The Knit Picks catalog highlighted this design in an issue featuring socks.

100 Mile Club SockThe hundred mile club comprised a small group of high-school students who had run more than a hundred miles in a year; the name turned out to be more daunting than attaining the goal--though it was not a goal that I would have selected myself. With 3 hour-long running classes a week, rain, shine or snow, you hit the target before term was over. Cheating was not an option--the instructor followed you on bicycle.

The long tail cast-on is the preferred of two method's I was taught as a child. It provides a durable, stretchy, foundation for a sock cuff. In addition, a large number of uniform stitches can be cast-on quickly. The following instructions are given for a woman's medium sized sock in fingering weight yarn. 64 stitches are cast-on. Click on any thumbnail to see a larger image.

Lily SocksWhen my sister and I were 3 and 5 years old respectively, we picked wild flowers--lilies of the valley to be precise, for Mother's Day. These were my mother's favorite flowers; she thanked us profusely and asked where we found them. You see, we lived in a highrise complex, devoid of flowers.