[cmbottorff]

I was making a pair of socks from melissa-morgan oakes book "2 at at ime, toe up." Everything was going fine, even the heel. I would try it on as I was knitting, and they fit pefectly. Then, I started the leg. I got an inch up the leg, and tried it on again, and I couldn't get it over my heel. I thought rather that continuing on, I better bind off, and stop, or I would never get it on.

After a loose bind off, I just can't get the sock over my heel. Is this normal? SHould I have made a larger sock? Am I going to have trouble with the pair I'm making for my husband now (It's the larger sock.)

 

[Linda6885]

When you started the leg you should have had the same amount of stitches as you did for the foot, before you did your heel. it looks like you decreased too much. Did you count your stitches befor doing your leg?

 

[Isis]

I agree with Linda, it looks like you bound off too many stitches

 

[mirl56]

Yes, after you finished the toe and are knitting even for a few inches - how many stitches did you have? probably somewhere between 56 and 60? When you are at the leg portion, you should have the same number. it looks way smaller.

 

[cmbottorff]

I did count and keep track of my stitches on each and every round, because I was scared of something like this happened. I had 60 stitches for the foot, and believe it or not, there are 60 on the leg. I think the pattern used on the leg is what screwed it up. (sigh)

Oh well, I'm trying another one now, and using the larger directions, and a different pattern in the book. Thank you all for your help.

 

[elfish_midget]

Seems as though that is the case. Beautiful job on the heel, though!

 

[Linda6885]

Is that a slipped stitch pattern on the leg? If it is that is your problem. Any slipped stitch pattern will pull up tighter, sometimes alot depending on your knitting, esspecially when knit in the round.

 

[cmbottorff]

It is, and I won't try that pattern again. I think this time around, I'm doing more of a ribbing pattern around. Hopefully, it will work better.

 

[susanmos2000]

No advice to give, but wow those are gorgeous! The colors are beautiful, and you did good work.

 

[cmbottorff]

thank you Susan. My husband (who originally said he did NOT want a pair of socks) was begging me to make him a pair with the same colors. Silly boy!

 

[diobsession]

Is it the bind off row that makes it to small? If it is you can take that row out and do it with a bigger needle. If it starts being to small where you started with the gold yarn you could frog back to where you picked up the stitches and try doing a plain stockinette stitch for a few inches then ribbing for a few rows until time to bind off or adding more stitches. The sock looks great up untill then so I am sure you can do something without frogging the whole thing.

 

[LBush1144]

In adapting sock patterns to my very narrow feeet, I found that the heel gusset is critical to the ease of putting the socks on. Too many stitches and the heel is too loose; too few and the sock doesn't want to go over the heel easily. Remember not all feet are the same. And, like others have said, the cuff should have the same number of stitches as the foot after all increases have been made. I'd frog it back to the last time I could put it on and try again.

 

[fiddlerbird555]

In adapting sock patterns to my very narrow feeet, I found that the heel gusset is critical to the ease of putting the socks on. Too many stitches and the heel is too loose; too few and the sock doesn't want to go over the heel easily. Remember not all feet are the same. And, like others have said, the cuff should have the same number of stitches as the foot after all increases have been made. I'd frog it back to the last time I could put it on and try again.

I'm not sure about that last. Maybe she should have MORE stitches on the leg than the foot, especially if the leg is a different stitch pattern.

 

[joycevv]

Would using a very stretchy bind off solve the problem? There are several videos on youtube if you do a search for "Very stretchy bind off". My favorite is one that incorporates a yarn over for every bound off stitch. It works like a charm!

 

[cmbottorff]

It was mentioned above, that the leg stitch may have been the culprit. It's a slip 3, knit 3 base stitch. It hadn't occured to me that the slip 3 would pull the stitches tighter as they moved up the rows. Especially since I was slipping them knitwise, and twisting them every round. (sigh) The socks fit my daughter, so, I won't be frogging them. I'm in the process of making another pair for my husband, using a different leg pattern, and a larger size!


The pattern is k3, sl 3 for 4 rounds,
5th round is k3, yo, sl2 k1, sl2back over the k1, yo
6th round is k
then the next 6 is the same in reverse.

A very pretty pattern, but if I try this again, I may switch to larger needles when I get closer to the gusset edge or add a few more stitches before I start the leg-- to make up for the yarn getting pulled tighter.

Thank you all for your input!

 

[cmbottorff]

Would using a very stretchy bind off solve the problem? There are several videos on youtube if you do a search for "Very stretchy bind off". My favorite is one that incorporates a yarn over for every bound off stitch. It works like a charm!

That sounds like it would create a nice lacey edge. I will try that with my next pair!

 

[Juanita H]

What is the yarn you're using? I love it!!

 

[djskatie80]

Sometimes you need to make some increases on the top side of the instep, decrease down as you start your cuff. Been there - done that.... can't remember where I read about the increasing but think it was Cat Bordhi....

 

[Designer1234]

I would rip out the cuff and use larger needles or c/o more stitches -- It is a shame if you went to all that work and can't wear them. Larger 2 sizes might do the trick.

I would certainly try it. Shirley

 

[janette777]

Did you perhaps start the ribbing a little too soon?? I noticed you seem have changed the yarn, so perhaps the gauge is much smaller. Good luck with working it out.