Monica Knits

Design Features: Knitted with dusk blue merino superwash wool, and a slip stitch heel flap (on the bottom of the foot), so comfortable that the first time I tried the on socks I had the sensation of stepping into the clouds. Designed by Charlene Schurch and featuring the "Oriel" stitch pattern, reminiscent of peacock feathers, this toe up, lace sock features a slip stitch heel for comfort and and durability, a standard toe (with Kitchener bind off) and 1x1 ribbing. This sock was selected for both the stitch pattern and as an example of a sock design, enhanced by a toe up construction method.
Read more .... for further discussion.

The SSSP (slip, slip, slip, purl) is a rightward slanting decrease on the purl side and a leftward slanting decrease on the knit side of the work. This stitch is identical to the SSP with the exception that 3, not 2 stitches are slipped and purled together. The photo shows both the SSSP (left) and the K3tog (right) stitches.

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If you prefer a seamless toe with subtle decreases along the sides, this short rows toe construction method meets the requirements. This beauty, however, takes longer to construct than either the rectangular or Kitchener stitch toe, and works best with 2 circular needles. Like the other two toe up methods, it starts with a provisional cast on. Like the Kitchener stitch toe it begins 2" from the toe tips, at the start of the foot. Like the rectangular toe, the provisional stitches are on one side only--so you could place them on the sole of the foot, leaving no apparent transition on the instep side. Read more .... for complete instructions.

Although the rectangular toe is relatively quick and easy to accomplish, the toe I prefer from a fit and aesthetic perspective is the traditional tapered toe with a Kitchener stitch bind off. It can be used for both the cuff down and toe up sock. This segment describes the construction for a toe up sock. It begins with a provisional cast on of the number of stitches required for the leg--for the basic toe up sock it is 64 stitches.