You already know I spent over a year to get the second sock made for these Toe Up Socks. The pattern is Toe Up Socks With A Difference by Wendy Johnson. If you’re a sock knitter, especially a beginner, or someone who wants to knit socks, there are several things from these socks that might help you. Since these socks had been sitting for so long, I figured I’d do a bit of experimenting with the second sock.
Toe Up Socks
The first sock I made is the sock on the right. The pattern called for 64 stitches. I know that a 60 stitch sock, made with fingering weight yarn and 2.25 mm needles is what fits my foot. You can see that the sock on the right is a bit larger. That’s the difference between a 64 stitch sock and a 60 stitch sock. The sock on the left is a 60 stitch sock.
Socks
Do you see that the sock on the right pools and the sock on the left is more of a stripe? It’s just the perspective from the camera that makes the sock on the right look smaller . . it’s the larger sock and you can see how it pools where the sock on the left is more stripe. That’s the difference 4 stitches per round makes.
Also, I did two different stretchy bind offs. The bind off on the sock on the right looks neater, the bind off on the left is way more stretchy. I don’t think I’d do the one on the left again.
I’ll stick with my 60 stitch sock (left) and my regular stretchy bind off (right).
It never hurts to experiment a bit . . especially on things like socks made for yourself since they don’t really show, or don’t show enough for the difference to be noticeable.
Sherrill Pecere says
I noticed the striping on the one sock and the ruffly cuff right away. I like the striping and non-ruffly so I guess I like the one that fits you, right?! HA
Joyce in Oregon says
I’m currently working on making my own basic sock pattern as I have long skinny feet (the only thing on me that stayed skinny!). I knit toe up, knit 2” of stockinette, then start the pattern on the top over 40 stitches. I just use the center 40 stitches of the pattern, being careful to have the same number of increases and decreases per row in the pattern. I knit until 6″ overall ( making increases evenly spaced to get to the pattern’s required number of stitches such as 60-64),and start the “no pick up gusset” heel. I’m getting some really good results. Check out this pattern for the no pick up gusset heel: http://akaijen.typepad.com/jen_knits/pattern_los_monos_locos_t.html, (You have to read carefully to find the download link). My new rule is now that I have sock #1 knit I get to choose the pattern and yarn from my stash for the next pair of socks and dream about them while I finish sock #2. 🙂
Dar in MO says
This is a great comparison. I have made socks with both 60 sts and 64 sts. I think when I started I used 72 according to some pattern that had you measure all facets of your foot from almost every angle except standing on your head. Needless to say there were way too big. I have since gone to a smaller needle size (2.25) and 64 sts. I wonder if the 2.50 size with 60 sts would work for me. I keep breaking or loosing my 2.25 dpns. I do like how they look with the smaller/thinner needles. Am going to try a heavier yarn soon for boot socks. Thanks for showing and explaining what you did with these.
Melody Wathor says
Hi Judy. Which brand of needles do you use in the 2.25 mm size? 2.5mm. I am still trying to find the right recipe for socks. I made 2 pair for myself a couple of years ago. I am trying again. I just finished one sock using 2mm. and 56 stitches… a little tight so I will try something else next. I went up to 64 on the leg.
Melody Wathor says
I just looked at your project page and saw that they are Hiya hiya sharps. I have those, but they hurt my finger since I am a continental knitter and I push the left needle with my index finger. Thanks for sharing your knitting with us. I have learned so much!