Socks again

Hi Helena,

I haven't made these particular socks. What issue are they in? I'll have a look and see if I can shed any light.

What weight yarn and what size needles are you using? What size foot are the socks for?

Since I have knit so many socks in the last while, I know what needles and yarn I usually use, and how many stitches I'll need to make them fit well.

For myself (size 6 feet), I generally use 68 stitches on size 2.25 mm dpns, when using sock or fingering weight yarn. As your yarn gets thicker, you would use less stitches and thicker needles.

I'm knitting a pair of socks for my grandson right now in worsted weight yarn on 3.75 mm needles with 40 stitches.

Shelagh

Have you read the pattern all the way through? Possibly after the edging and ribbing you'll be increasing or decreasing...

I have read throught the pattern several times, no mention of increasing/decreasing.

Also I have noticed that it says after turning the heel "work in rounds continuing lace pattern". But the picture shows that the lace is only on top of the foot, not the bottom. I am beginning to think I should try another pattern.

They are in the November issue.

Four ply wool on 3mm needles. They are for size 3. I would rather make them bigger than smaller, she is still growing.

Or you could just fake it. You have the lace pattern, you have the picot hem done for one sock. Figure out what you need to do to make the lace fit and go from there. A poorly-written pattern is a sad thing indeed, but you shouldn't let it stop you making the socks.

Can you follow the lace pattern for the top of the foot and knit the bottom plain?

I found it eventually, my magazines are good at hiding up! I think it's a typo, the larger sizes are 60 and 68 sts cast on, so 52 would be correct. This also fits with the heel instructions, which is worked on half the cast on number minus 4. I suggest you decrease 2 sts after the hem. You should be able to work the sole in stocking stitch, just make sure you work complete repeats of the lace pattern so as to keep the stitch count correct. Good luck, especially with all those little toes!

Sue W in East Anglia, UK

Yes, that is what I am doing. I eventually decided to increase by 2 after the picot part, and incorporated the two extra in the heel. I am now working on the foot with the lace just on top.

I am only doing this because my granddaughter wanted socks with toes. I'll worry about them when I get there.