Sock it to them!

Done! A complete set of socks, made from my adapted pattern!


What I wanted was ONE pattern for all sizes. And, this is it... If you want the pattern in a word document - you can email me - if you know my email.




One sock stop pattern

Adapted from various books, but mainly Knitted socks: over 25 designs for fab feet and cozy toes for the whole family by Anna Tillman.

Sizes:
BS: Baby small [approx up to 6 months]
BM: Baby medium [approx 6 to 18 months]
BL: Baby large [approx 18 to 24 months]
CS: Child small [approx child shoe sizes 3 to 5]
CM: Child medium [approx child shoe sizes 6 to 8]
CL: Child large [approx child shoe sizes 9 to 11]
CXL: Child extra-large [approx child shoe sizes 12 to 2]
AS: Adult small [approx adult shoe sizes 4 to 6]
AM: Adult medium [approx adult shoe sizes 7 to 9]
AL: Adult large [approx adult shoe sizes 10 to 12]
AXL: Adult extra-large [approx adult shoe sizes 13 to 14]


Trying to figure out the sizing was a bit of a pain! Shoe sizes are NZ-sizing.


Special abbreviations:
TBL: through back of loop/s. This twists the stitch, so it leans the other way.

Materials:
A set of 4 2.75mm double point needles
4 ply sock yarn 50gm ball –
BS-CM: 1 ball
CL-AXL: 2 balls


Cast on:
BS: 48 sts [16 per needle]
BM: 54 sts [18 per needle]
BL: 60 sts [20 per needle]
CS: 66 sts [22 per needle]
CM: 72 sts [24 per needle]
CL: 78 sts [26 per needle]
CXL: 84 sts [28 per needle]
AS: 90 sts [30 per needle]
AM: 96 sts [32 per needle]
AL: 102 sts [24 per needle]
AXL: 108 sts [36 per needle]


Join and place round marker.


[NB: I use a piece of different coloured yarn so it stands out, and is easily moved]


Foundation row: *K2 tog, p1; rep from * to end. This gives a more elastic cast on edge.
Number of stitches at end of decreases:
BS: 32 sts
BM: 36 sts
BL: 40 sts
CS: 44 sts
CM: 48 sts
CL: 52 sts
CXL: 56 sts
AS: 60 sts
AM: 64 sts
AL: 68 sts
AXL: 72 sts

Rib:
Baby sizes: work 5 rounds of K1, P1 rib.
Child & adult sizes: work 11 rounds of K1, P1 rib.
NB: you might like to try moss stitch instead of rib, for a different look.


Cuff:
Work until sock measures as below from beginning
BS: 7 cm
BM: 8 cm
BL: 9 cm
CS: 11 cm
CM: 14 cm
CL: 15 cm
CXL: 16 cm
AS: 17 cm
AM: 18 cm
AL: 19 cm
AXL: 20 cm
Or the length you want.


You can work whatever pattern you like, as long as it works with the number of stitches – so a 2-stitch or 4-stitch pattern will generally work.


If you use a self-striping, or variegated sock yarn, simple stocking stitch (every row knit, because you’re in the round) will work really well and look effective.

You could try cables; K2, P2 rib; moss stitch [ie knit the purl, and purl the knit stitches in the next round – also called Seed Stitch]; K3, P1 – the possibilities are endless.


Or blackberry stitch: round one: *(K1,P1,K1) into one stitch, P3 tog, rep to end; round two: *P3 tog, (K1,P1,K1) into one stitch, rep to end




Heel flap:
BS: K8 sts, turn
BM: K9 sts, turn
BL: K10 sts, turn
CS: K11 sts, turn
CM: K12 sts, turn
CL: K13 sts, turn
CXL: K14 sts, turn
AS: K15 sts, turn
AM: K16 sts, turn
AL: K17 sts, turn
AXL: K18 sts, turn


Round One:
BS: Sl 1, P15 sts, turn
BM: Sl 1, P17 sts, turn
BL: Sl 1, P19 sts, turn
CS: Sl 1, P21 sts, turn
CM: Sl 1, P23 sts, turn
CL: Sl 1, P25 sts, turn
CXL: Sl 1, P27 sts, turn
AS: Sl 1, P29 sts, turn
AM: Sl 1, P31 sts, turn
AL: Sl 1, P33 sts, turn
AXL: Sl 1, P35 sts, turn


Slide other stitches onto spare needles:
BS: 16 sts
BM: 18 sts
BL: 20 sts
CS: 22 sts
CM: 24 sts
CL: 26 sts
CXL: 28 sts
AS: 30 sts
AM: 32 sts
AL: 34 sts
AXL: 36 sts


Round Two:
BS: Sl 1, K15 sts, turn
BM: Sl 1, K17 sts, turn
BL: Sl 1, K19 sts, turn
CS: Sl 1, K21 sts, turn
CM: Sl 1, K23 sts, turn
CL: Sl 1, K25 sts, turn
CXL: Sl 1, K27 sts, turn
AS: Sl 1, K29 sts, turn
AM: Sl 1, K31 sts, turn
AL: Sl 1, K33 sts, turn
AXL: Sl 1, K35 sts, turn


Repeat these two rows and work back and forth on these stitches, for a total of:
BS: 16 rounds
BM: 18 rounds
BL: 20 rounds
CS: 22 rounds
CM: 24 rounds
CL: 26 rounds
CXL: 28 rounds
AS: 30 rounds
AM: 32 rounds
AL: 34 rounds
AXL: 36 rounds
NB: this total includes Rounds One and Two above.

Heel shaping:
Round One:
BS: Sl 1, P9, P2 tog, P1, turn
BM: Sl 1, P10, P2 tog, P1, turn
BL: Sl 1, P11, P2 tog, P1, turn
CS: Sl 1, P12, P2 tog, P1, turn
CM: Sl 1, P13, P2 tog, P1, turn
CL: Sl 1, P14, P2 tog, P1, turn
CXL: Sl 1, P15, P2 tog, P1, turn
AS: Sl 1, P16, P2 tog, P1, turn
AM: Sl 1, P17, P2 tog, P1, turn
AL: Sl 1, P18, P2 tog, P1, turn
AXL: Sl 1, P19, P2 tog, P1, turn

For all sizes:
Row two: Sl 1, K5, K2 tog tbl, K1, turn
Row three: Sl 1, P6, P2 tog, P1, turn
Row four: Sl 1, K7, k2 tog tbl, K1, turn


Continue as set – adding an extra stitch each round – until you get these number of stitches at end:


NB end with right side (knit) row and DO NOT TURN.
NB for some sizes, the final two rows do not have the P1 / K1 at the end.


BS: 10 sts
BM: 12 sts
BL: 12 sts
CS: 14 sts
CM: 14 sts
CL: 16 sts
CXL: 16 sts
AS: 18 sts
AM: 18 sts
AL: 20 sts
AXL: 20 sts

Pick up for instep:
Pick up, knitwise, the following number of stitches down the side of heel flap
BS: 8 sts
BM: 9 sts
BL: 10 sts
CS: 11 sts
CM: 12 sts
CL: 13 sts
CXL: 14 sts
AS: 15 sts
AM: 16 sts
AL: 17 sts
AXL: 18 sts

Place marker. [I usually use a stitch marker, a little circle one, preferably of a colour that stands out]


Knit across stitches from cuff (those on spare needles):
BS: 16 sts
BM: 18 sts
BL: 20 sts
CS: 22 sts
CM: 24 sts
CL:  26 sts
CXL: 28 sts
AS: 30 sts
AM: 32 sts
AL: 34 sts
AXL: 36 sts
Place marker.

Pick up, knitwise, the following number of stitches down the side of heel flap
BS: 8 sts 
BM: 9 sts
BL: 10 sts
CS: 11 sts
CM: 12 sts
CL: 13 sts
CXL: 14 sts
AS: 15 sts
AM: 16 sts
AL: 17 sts
AXL: 18 sts

Knit:
BS: 5 sts
BM: 6 sts
BL: 6 sts
CS: 7 sts
CM: 7 sts
CL: 8 sts
CXL: 8 sts
AS: 9 sts
AM: 9 sts
AL: 10 stsAXL: 10 sts

This means the beginning of the round is back in the middle of the sock.


Total number of stitches:
BS: 42 sts
BM: 48 sts
BL: 52 sts
CS: 58 sts
CM: 62 sts
CL: 68 sts
CXL: 72 sts
AS: 78 sts
AM: 82 sts
AL: 88 sts
AXL: 92 sts

Shape instep:
Round One: Knit to 3 sts before first marker, K2 tog, K1, (marker), knit to next marker, (marker), K1, K2tog tbl, knit to end. [ie 2 sts decrease]



Round Two: Knit. NB for a neater finish, when you get to the decreased stitch made by K2 tog tbl, knit through the back of this stitch, so the stitches angle the right way.

Repeat these two rounds until following number stitches remain:
BS: 32 sts [10 rounds]
BM: 36 sts [12 rounds]
BL: 40 sts [12 rounds]
CS: 44 sts [14 rounds]
CM: 48 sts [14 rounds]
CL: 52 sts [16 rounds]
CXL: 56 sts [16 rounds]
AS: 60 sts [18 rounds]
AM: 64 sts [18 rounds]
AL: 68 sts [20 rounds]
AXL: 72 sts [20 rounds]

Foot:
Work until foot measures the following from the back of the heel:

BS: 9 cm
BM: 10 cm
BL: 11 cm
CS: 12 cm
CM: 14 cm
CL: 16 cm
CXL: 17 cm
AS: 18 cm
AM: 19 cm
AL: 20 cm
AXL: 21 cm


Toes:
Round One: Knit to 3 stitches before first marker, K2 tog, K1, (marker), K1, K2 tog tbl, knit to 3 stitches before next marker, K2 tog, K1, (marker), K2 tog tbl, K1, Knit to end. [ie 4 st decrease]

Round Two: Knit.
NB for a neater finish, when you get to the decreased stitch made by K2 tog tbl, knit through the back of this stitch, so the stitches angle the right way.

Repeat these two rounds until following number of stitches remain:
BS: 12 sts [10 rounds]
BM: 16 sts [10 rounds]
BL: 16 sts [12 rounds]
CS: 20 sts [12 rounds]
CM: 20 sts [14 rounds ]
CL: 24 sts [14 rounds]
CXL: 24 sts [16 rounds]
AS: 24 sts [18 rounds]
AM: 24 sts [20 rounds]
AL: 24 sts [22 rounds]
AXL: 24 sts [24 rounds]

If everything has gone to plan, the stitches before your first marker – and after your last marker – should be the number listed below to rearrange.


To make rearranging the stitches easier – when you have finished the last knit round, just continue past the round marker, and then use the same needle to knit to first marker.


Knit to first marker.


Rearrange stitches so that first
BS: 3 sts
BM: 4 sts
BL: 4 sts
CS: 5 sts
CM: 5 sts
CL: 6 sts
CXL: 6 sts
AS: 6 sts
AM: 6 sts
AL: 6 sts
AXL: 6 sts

and last
BS: 3 sts are on one needle, with the remaining (middle) stitches (as below) on another needle.

BM: 4 sts
BL: 4 sts
CS: 5 sts
CM: 5 sts
CL: 6 sts
CXL: 6 sts
AS: 6 sts
AM: 6 sts
AL: 6 sts
AXL: 6 sts



BS: 6 sts
BM: 8 sts
BL: 8 sts
CS: 10 sts
CM: 10 sts
CL: 12 sts
CXL: 12 sts
AS: 12 sts
AM: 12 sts
AL: 12 sts
AXL: 12 sts


At each end of each needle, slip the first stitch over the next stitch on the needle.
Graft the remaining stitches together using Kitchener stitch.
A good tutorial on Kitchener stitch is on this page - just scroll down a bit.

'Music' on a Monday

see more Lol Celebs

Cat-urday: Mollster wishes

As I'm away this weekend...

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

I'm sure B&P will be on food duty.

Thanks to mum...

Well, I've got to have someone to blame for these character traits!

Thanks to my mother I am:

• prone to craft-y obsessions [maybe with a bit of help from the artisan father]
• disinclined to do housework
• more likely to be found reading than doing housework [that's so no Dad]
• the possessor of an eclectic personal library taking over my spare room
• swayed by accessories - shoes are definitely thanks to her - and probably the jewellery! [I think I just added the handbags. Maybe there weren't that many around???]
• likely to put my hand up for a job
• an easy mark for getting involved in a volunteer organisation
• likely to start taking OVER in the said organsation because - again, thanks to her!
• fully capable OF taking over and doing a reasonable job of it...
• likely to be embarrassed about being singled out for praise because of it - it's just a job that needs doing
• going to work to the best of my ability [oh, this one's from Dad, too...]

*Sigh*

Wonders on a Wednesday

Amazing! This is one only of them! The rest are here...


see more Historic LOL

Two-fer Tuesday: nuff said

Thanks to Rabbittooth.

Music on a Monday: in memory of Dad

However... all best laid plans - and THIS is the song that we ended up playing throughout the service. Yes, it was a fav of Dad's - but still...

Sock update on a Sunday

Ok - I've been knitting, and recalculating what I need to knit, in the way of socks.

Needed to be knitted for Christmas: 18 pairs (from future baby up to 15-year-old)...
What I have knitted: 13 pairs.

Extra to be knitted to make complete set for testing my pattern (ie new baby to big foot): 1 extra pair.

So - hopefully this week I will be able to post a photo with them all arrayed - well, the complete set - and the pattern!

Yay!

Cat-urday: wishes

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Fabulous on a Friday!

Thanks Noni!

Thoughts for a Thursday...

This is a long and personal tribute to my Mother.

As promised on Father's Day - thoughts on my mum... Yes, I will occasionally mention Dad - but parents come in pairs who, if you're lucky, support, enhance and allow each other to grow.

From what I've heard, we had a pretty rocky start. But, in my memory, my time with my mum has been precious. My beloved parents learnt from experience (not in my immediate family), so I was never, ever, referred to as 'an accident' - no, I was always a gift, a surprise yes, but a special gift to be treasured and cherished. And this, always, is how I felt.*

While I don't remember much of my early life, I do know that one of the coolest things about my sister's wedding was seeing my mum.#

I once asked Mum about my fondness for KFC chips dipped in potato and gravy. After thinking about it, she said it was where we went for lunch (New Lynn branch) before custody handover. I remember my Christmas present during this time - a dolls' cot. Not so much because of the present, but because Mum gave it to me.

I remember writing to Mum, while she was living in Keri Keri, asking if she'd heard 'Badjelly the Witch' on Sunday morning storytime on the radio. And I remember the letter back - written in yellow ink. Very cool. She had a whole group of young guys - brother and his friends - listening in, and all enjoying it.

I remember when Mum and Dad got back together. I was sleeping in Mum's bed and, one night, I remember waking up as I was being carried through the house. I woke up in the spare bed - where Dad had been sleeping - and I knew that all was right in my world.†

I remember going to school after the holidays and telling EVERY body about my mum coming home. And I remember some kid saying 'but you don't have a mother' - I said 'yes I do, and she's coming home!' I also remember being sad that I couldn't head north to pick her up.

Yeah, sure, we have had our ups and downs. Puberty and menopause in the same house is not a good plan.

And, yes, I hassle the hell out of her now. But she knows that I love her. Hey, you only really hassle / nag / tease those you are so comfortable with you know they won't take things the wrong way.

I admire her strength of character. I am in awe of how she kept it together as long as she did - good choice in partner there, Mum. How do you - physically and emotionally - survive giving a baby up for adoption, marrying and having four children in five years (and at least one miscarriage)¶ then, when you've recovered - getting pregnant again!

I admire the fact she got out when she realised that it was best for us all if she wasn't there. And that she tried, with the best of intentions, to make things easier for us left behind, by turning herself into the baddie.‡

Her honesty - once she realised that she and Dad were heading towards the altar, she told him about her baby. That took courage - it was 1955 after all. And, yay for Dad, he turned up for their next date.§

Since Dad died, things have been tough. But she hasn't really let us in to that. How would we understand? I know she's struggled, though. She lost a huge part of her identity very quicky - within a short time frame (two to three years) both of her parents and her life-parnter died. She has had to reinvent herself as her roles as daughter and wife have gone.

And she's done so.

Bravo Mum.

I love you.

*Even if my sisters called me a spider monkey. [On their first visit with me, I was yellow, covered in black hair, and all limbs, and no body fat - that'll be why I'm about six-months old in my first photos]. Oh, and my nana would say 'every time I see a frozen chicken, it reminds me of what you looked like when I first saw you' - and grandad would say 'you were like a little frog. We didn't think you'd make it]. That's got to affect you - not knowing that your new baby would make it home.
#Being a flowergirl was right up there, though! Yes, that's me in the very cute Hollie Hobby outfit.
†Not so good in my big sister's world, as she had left her bedroom door ajar, and wasn't too pleased about an early morning visit from a very excited little sister to tell her the news!
¶From first pregnancy to the-next-one-up-from-me's birth - all told, just over 6 years.
‡Yes, it did make it hard - for the others - when she came back. But, we made it through. We all loved Dad, and he was happy.
§See, good choice in life partner!

Wonderful Wednesday

I'd like to think that old Geoff Chaucer really was like this...

Two-fer Tuesday

Great song - great dance...

Music on a Monday: in memory of Dad

Another one of Dad's requests...



However, the celebrant didn't think it was appropriate that we played it as people came in to the service. She so didn't get our family humour!

Cat-urday: cat-trap

Familiar anyone? Moll-ster, of course, waits until the lights are out and/or stairs are involved...

Food on a Friday: my ultimate comfort food

Rice Pudding
[from Edmonds Cookery Book - first edition recipe, with variations]
Serves 4 [I halve it and it serves me - but this is ultimate comfort food]


Ingredients:
5 Tb short grain rice
2 Tb sugar
3 cups milk
2 to 3 drops vanilla essence
¼ tsp nutmeg


Method:

Place rice and sugar in the bottom of an ovenproof dish.

Add milk and vanilla. Mix well.

Sprinkle nutmeg over the surface. [or grate fresh nutmeg - my preference!]

Bake at 150ºC for 2 hours, stirring two or three times in first hour.

OR: bake at 70ºC overnight, or all day.

Two-fer Tuesday

Another fun coupling with The Young Ones - and the added bonus of one of the Young Ones quotes that gets stuck in my head... Darling carrot...

Music on a Monday: in memory of Dad

One of Dad's requests for his funeral...

For Father's day

Over the years, I've posted a lot about Dad. It's made me think, that I don't post a lot about Mum - so that will change - so she know how important she is, while I can still share with her - rather than you lot, some of whom have never met my parents.

However - today is Father's Day. I'm sure that - somewhere - there are photos of me with Dad after I turned 8 - but not easily found in my life at the moment. However there are a few of us before then.

Thanks family for taking them - in this case, I think most of them would have been Kath.

So - just because I can - photos of me with my Dad, my hero.

Me and Dad - possibly on Kath & Muzz's wedding day

Me and Dad - around Kath & Muzz's wedding day

On holiday in 1978

Probably my last tenting holiday. If you look carefully, you will notice the missing teeth!

In Rotorua with Nana and Grandad [behind the camera, as always] - note the careful leaning
This is also my first - and possibly only! - memory of seeing my Dady in togs!

Food on a Friday

Those who know me will probably be surprised that I have recipes I like - and actually make. Not the most foodie person in the world - even if I am addicted to Food TV...

Anyhoo - my current fav recipe for lateish-home-and-throw-something-together-cooking...

Alison Holt's Mushroom Soup (from her Soup Book)
Makes 6 servings (I quarter it for me - so not a HUGE serving)

2 medium onions
3 Tb butter
2 cloves of garlic
4 medium (150g) flat brown mushrooms [I will admit to only halving this measurement! The more mushrooms the merrier I feel]
¼ tsp dried thyme [I tend to use mixed herbs, cos that's what I have]
3 Tb flour
2 cups chicken stock or 2 tsp instant stock powder in 2 cups water
½ tsp salt
pepper to taste
1 Tb sherry, optional
1 Tb balsamic or wine vinegar
2 cups milk

Cook the chopped onions in the butter in a large pot, over a medium heat for about 5 minutes until they are lightly browned. Add the finely chopped garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes longer.
Chop the mushrooms finely and add to the onions with the thyme. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Stir in the flour, and cook until it has lightly browned too, then add the stock, or water and instant stock powder, the salt and pepper, sherry and balsamic or wine vinegar. Stir well to mix and bring to the boil, then turn down and simmer gently for 5-10 minutes.
Whisk or stir in the milk, heat until almost boiling, then serve.
VARIATION: If you prefer a smooth, creamier soup, proceed as far as boiling the soup before the milk is added. Pour it through a sieve, catching all the chunky pieces in it. Process / blend these with a little of the strained liquid, and process to a thick puree. Mix this, the strained mix or the milk, then reheat to almost boiling.

Want on a Wednesday

And, funnily enough - on a similar theme to my last Wednesday want...