You are on page 1of 8

sock

knitting
master class

Innovative Techniques + Patterns
from Top Designers

includes
instructional
DVD

Ann Budd
Toe-Up Travelers
de sig n e d by Ann Budd

finished size I began these socks with the traveling-stitch “wing”


About 7 1 ⁄ 2"
(19 cm) foot pattern that I found in a Japanese book of stitch patterns
circumference, 10" (25.5 cm)
called Knitting Patterns Book 250. I wanted the pattern
foot length from back of
heel to tip of toe, and 8 1 ⁄ 2" to flow along the front of the leg and instep in the
(21.5 cm) leg length from
same orientation
top of cuff to base of heel.
as was shown in
To fit U.S. women’s shoe sizes I wanted the pattern to flow
8 1 ⁄ 2 to 9 1 ⁄ 2 (European sizes the pattern book.
39.5 to 40.5). along the front of the leg and
Therefore, I had
instep in the same orientation it to work the socks
yarn
Fingering weight
was shown in the pattern book.” from the toe up.
(#1 Super Fine).
I added another
Shown here: Quince &
pattern at the sides of the leg to bring the stitch count
Company Tern (75% wool,
25% silk; 181 yd [165 m]/ to an appropriate number for a leg circumference. The
50 g): #750 kelp, 2 skeins.
pattern I chose involves twisted stitches to coordinate
needles with the main stitch pattern, but I added four-stitch
Foot and lower leg: groups of wrapped stitches to add to the textural look.
Size U.S. 1 (2.25 mm): set of
For design continuity on the front of the leg, I extended
4 or 5 double-pointed (dpn).
the wrapped-stitch pattern along the instep. I chose to
Upper leg: size U.S. 2
(2.75 mm): set of 4 or 5 dpn. work a short-row heel to minimize design interruption
Adjust needle size if necessary at the heel, but it would have been nice to extend
to obtain the correct gauge.
the wrapped-stitch pattern along the flap of a round
notions heel (worked from the toe up) as well. For the cuff, I
Markers (m); cable needle maintained the wrapped-stitch pattern at the sides of the
(optional); tapestry needle.
leg, but discontinued the traveling stitches in the wings
gauge pattern and worked a tiny cable pattern at the center of
18 sts and 26 rnds = 2" (5 cm) the motif. A stretchy sewn bind-off forms an elastic edge
in St st on smaller needles,
at the cuff.
worked in rnds.
40 sts of Wings Instep chart
measures 3" (7.5 cm) wide
on smaller needles.

s o c k k n i t t i ng m a s t e r c l a s s 3
t echniqu e s
Toe
toe-up construction  page 00 With two smaller dpn held tog and using the Turkish/Eastern
designing with traveling stitches  page 00 method (see page 00), CO 8 sts. Divide sts on 3 dpn so that
there are 2 sole sts on Needle 1, 4 instep sts on Needle 2, and
Turkish/Eastern cast-on  page 00
2 sole sts on Needle 3; rnd begins at center of sole (between
wedge toe  page 00 Needles 1 and 3).

short-row heel  page 00 Inc rnd: On Needle 1, knit to last st, M1 (see Glossary), k1; on
Needle 2, k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1; on Needle 3, k1, M1,
sewn bind-off  page 00 knit to end—4 sts inc’d.
Rep the inc rnd on the next 7 rnds—40 sts. Rep the inc rnd
every other rnd 10 times—80 sts; 20 sole sts on Needle 1, 40
instep sts on Needle 2, and 20 sole sts on Needle 3.
notes
Foot
The twisted stitches are easiest to work using needles
Working the sole sts in St st as established, work 40 instep sts
that have long sharp tips.
(Needle 2) in patt from Wings Instep chart (see Notes for adding
To lengthen the foot, work the desired number of length) until Rnds 1–24 of chart have been worked 3 times,
additional rounds of stockinette stitch after reaching ending at the end of instep sts (Needle 2) on Rnd 24 of chart
the total number of foot stitches but before beginning (leave sts of Needle 3 unworked)—72 chart rnds completed;
the charted pattern. piece measures about 8" (20.5 cm) from tip of toe.

To increase the foot circumference, work more toe


Heel
increases, then distribute the extra stitches evenly
Arrange sts so that all 40 sole sts (Needle 1 and Needle 3) are
between the instep and sole. Work the extra instep
on the same needle for the heel and divide the 40 instep sts on
stitches in the purl columns on each side of the main
2 needles to work later. Work the 40 sole stitches back and forth
motif (between the wings and the wrapped stitches)
in short-rows in two halves as foll.
where they will cause the least disruption. Work
the extra sole stitches in stockinette stitch. When
working the first half of the heel, repeat the required
rows until a right-side row of “paired sts, k14” has
been worked, then work the second half as written.
Distribute the extra stitches on the back of the leg in
the purl columns flanking the wings pattern, just as
for the instep (which continues along the front of
the leg).

Stitch Guide
4-St Wrap
Insert right needle between the 4th and 5th sts on left
needle, draw up a loop and place it on left needle, knit the
new loop tog with the st after it, then k2, k1tbl.

4 T oe-U p T r av e l e r s
F ir s t H a l f Row 3: Bring yarn from front to back over right needle to create
Work 1 less st each short-row as foll: a normal yo, knit to the first paired st, k1 (the knit st of the pair),
correct the mount of the next 2 yo’s, k3tog (the 2 yo’s tog with
Row 1: (RS) K39, turn work—1 regular st unworked at end of
the knit st of the foll pair), turn work, leaving rem yo of the pair
needle.
unworked.
Row 2: (WS) Bring yarn from back to front over right needle
Row 4: Bring yarn from back to front over right needle to create
to create a backward yo, p38, leaving last st unworked—1
a backward yo, purl to the first paired st, p1 (the purl st of the
regular st unworked at end of row; 1 regular st and 1 “paired st”
pair), sssp (the 2 yo’s tog with the purl st of the foll pair; see
consisting of a stitch plus a yo at beg of row. Turn work.
Glossary), turn work, leaving rem yo of pair unworked.
Row 3: Bring yarn from front to back over right needle to create
a normal yo, knit to paired st at end of row, turn work—1 paired
stitch and 1 regular st unworked at each end of row.
Row 4: Bring yarn from back to front over right needle to create
a backward yo, purl to paired st at end of row, turn work.
Row 5: Bring yarn from front to back over right needle to create
a normal yo, knit to paired st at end of row, turn work.

Secon d H a l f
Work 1 more st each short-row as foll:
Row 1: (RS) Cont with the same RS row, k1 (the knit st of the
paired st), correct the mount of the yo so that its leading leg is in
front of the needle, k2tog (the yo tog with the knit st of the foll
paired st), turn work, leaving rem yo of the pair unworked.
Row 2: (WS) Bring yarn from back to front over right needle to
create a backward yo, purl to the first paired st, p1 (the purl st
of the pair), ssp (the yo of the pair tog with the purl st of the foll
pair; see Glossary), turn work, leaving rem yo of pair unworked.

Yarn Note
A well-rounded three-ply wool/silk blend from Quince resistance as you’d get from nylon. A yarn with dyed silk
& Company is a fitting match for this ornate design. The would have a deeper glow, while you’d get a more matte
yarn’s near perpendicular plies and predominant wool effect in 100% wool or a wool/nylon blend. For optimal
content give loft, bounce, and strength to the fabric while stitch definition, steer toward yarns with three or more
also rendering the intricate pattern of twisted and wrapped plies—or even a multiple-plied cable-style yarn. If you
stitches with great clarity. A generous dusting of undyed want to add a touch of wobble and nuance to the motif,
silk (25%) gives a glassy halo to the stitches while helping try a springy two-ply yarn instead. Either way, you’ll want
the raised-stitch motif stand out even more from its reverse to stick with a solid or semisolid colorway to preserve the
stockinette background. The silk also gives this yarn a hint stitch pattern. — Clara Parkes
more density and strength, though not as much abrasion

s o c k k n i t t i ng m a s t e r c l a s s 5
Gallery

t wisted
T e r pa n de r Stitch
S t o c k i ng s

Introduction
Mastering Good Sock Design
Top-Down Socks

T op -D o w n C a s t- On s a n d Bi n d - Off s
Asymmetrical Cables  Cookie A
De s ig n i ng w i t h C a bl e s
Tri-Color Fair Isle  Nancy Bush
De s ig n i ng w i t h S t r a n de d C ol or w or k
Almondine  Anne Hanson
De s ig n i ng w i t h L a c e
Happy-Go-Lucky Boot Socks  Veronik Avery
De s ig n i ng w i t h S l i p S t i t c h e s
Thigh-High Stripes  Deborah Newton
Rose Ribs  Evelyn A. Clark
Twisted Stitch Stockings  Meg Swanson
De s ig n i ng w i t h T r av e l i ng S t i t c h e s
Bavarian Blooms  Priscilla Gibson-Roberts
I n ta r s i a i n t h e Ro u n d
Knot Socks  Nancy Bush
Mock Cables and Lace  Ann Budd H a l f-S t r a n de d
Slip-n-Slide  Chrissy Gardiner
socks
ro se r i b s

k no t s o c k s

Toe-Up Socks

T oe-U p C a s t- On s a n d Bi n d - Off s
Up-Down Entrelac  Kathryn Alexander
De s ig n i ng w i t h E n t r e l a c
Pussy Willow Stockings  Cat Bordhi
Stealth Argyles  Eunny Jang
De s ig n i ng w i t h S h a d o w K n i t t i ng
Toe-Up Travelers  Ann Budd
Half-Stranded Socks  Anna Zilboorg
Terpander  Melissa Morgan-Oakes
Tw o -at-a-t i m e C on s t ru c t ion a l mon di n e
Pseudo Slouch Socks  Amy Singer

Contributors
Glossary
Sources for Supplies
Annotated Bibliography
Index
Start from the ground up u p -d ow n
e n t r e l ac
with knitwear design:
create your own socks!
So c k K ni t t ing M a s t er C l a s s showcases
methods for designing and knitting creative socks,
featuring signature elements and techniques from
15 top designers. You’ll learn what makes good sock
design and then dive into knitting 18 spectacular,
brand-new patterns featuring the widest variety of
techniques.

With patterns divided into two sections by top-down


and toe-up construction, Sock Knitting Master Class pussy
explores such techniques as cables, twisted stitches, w i l l ow
lace, stranded colorwork, entrelac, shadow knitting, s t o c k i ng s
and intarsia worked in the round. Plus, you’ll discover
inventive ways to start and end socks, shape heels and
toes, and knit the soles.

Sock Knitting Master Class is an all-star assembly of


the most inventive, exciting designers working in socks,
including Cookie A, Kathryn Alexander, Nancy Bush,
Cat Bordhi, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Anne Hanson,
Melissa Morgan-Oakes, Meg Swanson, Anna Zilboorg,
and many more. And you’ll also learn how each yarn
contributes to the overall design from Clara Parkes.

a nn budd is the best-selling author of The Knitter’s Handy


Book of Patterns and The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater
Patterns. She is also the author of Getting Started Knitting Socks,
Interweave Presents Knitted Gifts, Knitting Green, and Simple
Style, and coauthor of Bag Style, Color Style, Lace Style, and mo c k
Wrap Style. She is a book editor and the former senior editor c a bl e s
of Interweave Knits magazine. She lives in Boulder, Colorado. a n d l ac e

Paperback + DVD
8½ × 9, 160 pages
ISBN 978-1-59668-312-9
$26.95
Available July 2011

You might also like