After posting that I was starting my first pair of socks, I received comments by the two blogs that had inspired me to start and invited to participate with them while knitting their first pair of socks. I am about 5 weeks behind them; however I’m excited to be joining 🙂 Here’s Maggie’s first post Sock It to Me Thursdays and here’s Hannah’s first post Knit-a-Sock-Along. You can follow along with them, as well as myself, if you would like. I can’t wait to see their posts for this week!
I had noted in my last post that I am working with this pattern: Toe-Up Socks using German Short Rows. I’m really happy with the video instructions, as well as the written instructions. This pattern starts with a provisional cast on, which was a lot easier than others I’ve used in the past. If you want to see how she does it, check out the YouTube video. I am using US 3 – 3.25 mm bamboo Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) and Lion Brand LB Collection Super Wash Merino yarn in the color Purple.
Using the German Short Rows (GSRs) made creating the toe super simple. During this section, you only use two needles and create the toe using increases and decreases with the GSRs.
Once the full toe is complete; you pick up the stitches from the provisional cast on and divide among two more needles. The pattern advised to tie a piece of string at this point on the front of the toe so it would be easier to match the second sock. I’m also keeping track of my row count so I know they will match.
Now, this was where it got kind of scary…my first time using DPNs and boy was it awkward! I googled ways to hold your needles and I think I’ve found a method that is comfortable for me. It’s good to know that even for experienced DPN users, the first few rows are unruly. Now that I’m several rows in, things are going much more smoothly. So, with a few days down (and other WIPs going on besides the socks…more on that later) I now have 15 rows of the foot complete, and as my husband calls it, a toe warmer!
Happy Knitting!
Spin A Yarn 
Congratulations!!! I’m really digging your toe warmers 😀
You are amazing for starting with toe-up socks, I’ve always been intimidated by them and by GSR’s for some weird reason, so I’m saving those for my second pair.
I think we might be using the same bamboo DPN’s and can’t say enough good things about them. They are really awkward at the beginning, I started off with them for socks but decided to make a couple of hats with them first, but once I got the hang of them I found that I absolutely love working with them. I’m so excited to see your socks come together! And for what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re behind at all. The beauty of the knit along is that it just keeps you moving on your socks at whatever pace you’d like 🙂
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Thank you! I decided to go with toe up socks because that way I wouldn’t run out of yarn 🙂 I have used GSR’s in the past on a shawl, so I was familiar with the technique. That wasn’t the part that scared me in the pattern and it’s really quite easy to do. I love how grippy the bamboo needles are and am not afraid of my stitches falling off. I’ve always used the magic loop method with hats; however now that I know how to use DPN’s, I think I will use them in the future!
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Lol, that’s the best reason to go with toe-ups 🙂
I haven’t been able to get into circulars. People swear by them but I find them kind of meh – bamboo DPN’s for life!
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Whoa! Your socks sound so much more technical than mine. Provisional cast on here! German Short Rows there! What on earth is happening? 🙂 I will have to research these things! I’m so glad you are doing toe-up, because I cannot imagine how the heel will work, so I will watch you do it first before I try!
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LOL…all techniques I’ve used in shawl making 🙂 I can’t wait to see how the heels go too! They actually looked kind of easy in the video.
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ALSO, you two and your fancy bamboo needles! I can only imagine. I almost got some for this project but unfortunately I already had the right size so couldn’t justify buying them. 🙂 Hannah
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I bought my set for less than $10.00 on Amazon 🙂
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009OXJ1TU/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1440121202&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&keywords=Ostart&dpPl=1&dpID=51CQ0gE6AWL&ref=plSrch
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You did indeed! When you said set, I thought you meant one set, not a million! I’ll have a look on the UK version to see what is on there! Thanks ☺
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I love knit socks. They’re the best! Now you’re making me wanna stop my afghan and knit some too lol
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I am loving mine so far! I can’t believe I was so afraid of starting these 🙂 Have you ever knit socks before? I would love to have you join us!
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