Socks on 4 needles, with pictures

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Socks on 4 needles, with pictures
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Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 12:51 pm Post subject: Socks on 4 needles, with pictures

Below is how I hold the needles for socks - more akin to continental knitting than my usual style. These are new gardening socks for me, knitted in Dorset Down wool, unbleached and oiled (smells lovely), bought off e-bay for about 7.00 I think, inc P&P - a bargain.

Cast on, knit a 2 x 2 rib (ie 2 plain, 2 purl) for 12 cm, then stocking stitch (every round knit) for another 12cm

Divide for heel, knit heel flap on 2 needles

Turn heel and shape instep

Completed sock

I thought these might help if you have never done or seen socks on 4 needles, to give you some idea of the steps involved.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 1:11 pm Post subject:
Thanks Sarah. I think you've scared me off with talk of Continental methods (I'm still thinking about whether to ask what Tahir means by jersey knit in the other knitting thread ) but it's very interesting to see. Is it something I could aim to teach myself (after a long while) do you think? (PS the wool does look and sound nice!)

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 1:33 pm Post subject:
I would think he means stocking stitch. If you buy a jersey fabric, the stitch formation is exactly the same as stocking stitch, with the v-shaped stitch on the front and the looped purl shape on the reverse, but made in thread as opposed to wool.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 1:35 pm Post subject:
Yup, I'm more used to working with fabrics than knit's so that's what I call it. Also that's what most of our far eastern suppliers call it. My favourite stitch is moss stitch

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 1:41 pm Post subject:

tahir wrote:

My favourite stitch is moss stitch

Sounds like a member of Knitaholics there - "my name is Tahir and my favourite..........."

Funnily enough, or not, it's one of my favourites as well, but it's not quite up there with Shetland lace knitting I'm afraid.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 1:47 pm Post subject:
The thing i've found is that the same stitch is quite often called by different names like 1/2 cardigan, and shaker, I believe 1/2 milano is another name for pearl too. I'm definitely a bit of a jumperaholic, the missus has had some amazing knits bought for her over the years (by me)

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 1:53 pm Post subject:
I've heard the Shaker one, but not the others. As my penchant is for British knitting, I tend to hear/read/use the same terms all the time.

culpepper

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 638
Location: Kent

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 3:11 pm Post subject:
Good sock guide! A German lady at work showed me continental knitting which is super fast but my English knitting technique has become ingrained so I just couldnt keep it up I kept finding I was knitting the ordinary way I found if you knit in Acrylic, the socks are in holes VERY quickly, baby wool works well though.

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 3:37 pm Post subject:
I only use the continental method with socks; the rest is done with the right hand needle tucked securely under my right arm, with very little movement on the left hand needle; the less movement the faster the knitting. Because I'm like I am, all my needles are a bit curved!!

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 3:42 pm Post subject:
So, British knitting is sort of clenched and undemonstrative, whilst the continentals flail about in a flamboyant fashion......figures.

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 3:43 pm Post subject:
Probably only when I do it...............

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 6:31 pm Post subject:
They're beautiful Sarah, but I need another hand to manage two needles!

hardworkinghippy

Joined: 01 Jan 2005
Posts: 1110
Location: Bourrou South West France

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 7:36 pm Post subject:
Brilliant post Sarah! The wool does look great and didn't cost much at all! That's amazing for �7.00! How long does it take you normally to do a pair of socks (with all the other life things in the way)? HWH

culpepper

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 638
Location: Kent

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 05 8:31 pm Post subject:

sean wrote:

So, British knitting is sort of clenched and undemonstrative, whilst the continentals flail about in a flamboyant fashion......figures.

The german lady at work said she couldnt believe it when she saw english knitters waving their hands all over the place, the continental style seems to be just the tips of the left hand fingers ,a quick flick and theres a stitch.

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 05 1:39 am Post subject:

7.00 bought three balls of wool, inc P&P, and I used about 3/4 for one sock, so plenty left, and hope to get a matching hat as well. I can knit a pair in a day.

Culpepper, if you read my post further up, you will discover the secret of knitting - the less movement on the needles the better - a tip I picked up in a book of Shetland knitting. Tuck your right needle under your right armpit, and move the left needle as little as possible, then off you go. As I said, though, if you are built like me, the needles get gently bent out of shape, but they are comfortable to use..........

Some of mine are almost circular.............

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