Monica Knits

These cuff-down, knitted ribbed tube socks, evocative of refreshing rocket popsicles, incorporate, a round toe and melon colors. Shown in size 6-12 months. The pattern provides instructions for sizes 0-6 months and 12-24 months as well and includes an optional waste yarn (peasant) heel and Kitchener toe. If you've never knitted socks before, tube socks are the quickest to knit and baby socks less intimidating than adult socks.

Pattern Information: Two Toes Tubes Baby Socks
Knit Picks http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Two_Toes_Tubes_Baby_Socks__D10417220.html This pattern lets you choose from 2 toes, 2 heels, 3 patterns and 3 sizes using Comfy Fingering^TM cotton or or Palette^TM Peruvian Highland wool yarns--over 12 sock combinations.

Side 1 Side 2The first row of stitching after the cast on row involves purling normally, but knitting through the back loops (tbl) since the kitchener rib cast on (also called Italian or tubular cast on) creates twisted knit stitches. This article is the second in the series on the Kitchener Rib cast on. Read more .... for stepwise, illustrated instructions.
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The Kitchener rib stitch cast on forms an elastic edge that is an excellent start for a 1 x 1 rib stitch or a reversible fabric. I used it to cast on a reversible headband in two colors. This cast on can also be used for a single color cast on, but is actually easier to learn with two different colors. It is called a tubular cast on or Italian cast on and this is just one of many ways of generating a tubular cast on. Read more ..... for stepwise illustrated instructions. Click on a thumbnail to view a larger image.

This two color cuff was knitted in 2 x 2 ribbing with the knit stitches in charcoal grey and the purl stitches in light grey. This cuff has 52 stitches and is 2-1/2" long. A stranding technique, with a float of 2 stitches was used and a fingertip yarn guide was used to manage the 2 colors of yarn. Read more... for additional information.

Watch a video on knitting with 2 colors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-0ApmvvhTA

I was amazed at the texture and shine the Satin yarn developed when knitted in the baby cable pattern. The photo doesn't show the full lustre, but it does show the texture. I wasn't sure how well defined the pattern would be, since the yarn is a dark blue and very soft to the touch. This is why you should occasionally have a friend (even a non-knitter) select yarn for you. My girlfriend and hiking buddy, Shilda, selected this yarn and another, as well as embellishments and introduced me to the advantages of legwarmers for hiking.       Read more .....

The cuff has both decorative and functional purposes. Designed to stretch and hold the sock up, there are many rib patterns to choose from, from simple to elaborate. For the basic cuff, I use a 2 x 2 rib pattern, the length of which is determined by the type of sock. For this sock, which measures 10" vertically from the floor to the top (without cuff) I decided upon a 2-3/4" cuff.

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.

Dad's SocksMy grandmother had knitted several pairs of socks for my dad that lasted for 10 years, in part because they were knitted with a double sole, giving them extra durability. I had already knitted socks for all the girls in the family, but had not yet made a pair for my father. When I offered to knit my father a pair of socks in any style and color for father's day, he selected the basic sock pattern, in a dark blue yarn to match his jeans. My father is a tall man with a size 13 foot.

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.

CuffThe cuff has both decorative and functional purposes. Designed to stretch and hold the sock up, there are many rib patterns to choose from, from simple to elaborate. For the basic cuff, I use a 2 x 2 rib pattern, the length of which is determined by the type of sock. For an ankle sock, I would typically knit a 1.5" cuff. For a sock which measures 14" high from the sole of the foot, I would use a 3" cuff, as I did for the light khaki colored sock in this Basic Sock photo series.

With self-striping yarns, I may use a 3-1/2" cuff for aesthetic reasons; the stripe pattern will dictate the proportions. For example I might stop the cuff just before a narrow band of color, which would make a good accent for the beginning of the sock body.