Knitting socks

[DumbledoresGirl]

I have this book Vogue Knitting Socks in which is a pattern for boot socks which I have successfully knitted.

They are ok, but if you look at the picture on the cover, you will see the heels are a sort of square design. I was wondering if anyone has a pattern or knows where I can find a pattern for socks with the traditional diagonal line heel. It is the sort of skill my grandmother and mother had and I would like to learn it.

[filz]

dont be so silly
you just need to have plastic surgery and make your heels square

thats the only solution and so very vogue

[DumbledoresGirl]

I bet you I don't get the answer to this one. Come on, where are those secret sock knitting grannies?

[mehgalegs]

Sorry, I only knit baby beanie hates and jumpers for orangutans.

My friend knitted some fab socks from that self patterning sock wool, they seemed a good fit. I will google.

[florenceuk]

Get thee to Ravelry. Actually, what you want is a short-row sock heel eg here cosmic pluto. If you have a little search you will find a lot of sock patterns with this - here's another tutorial : here

[DumbledoresGirl]

florenceuk, the short row sock heel looks like the thing. I can remember my mother telling me it was a complex procedure!

I did have a look at Ravelry a couple of weeks ago but you have to be invited to join! Bloody hell, I am never going to get in on that basis!

[florenceuk]

no you just put your name down and wait for the invitation - it's just a screening process while they are in "beta" (something MN could do with I reckon).

[EachPeachPearMum]

ravelry is fab!
They can answer anything knitting on there!

[mistlethrush]

I have knitted them - will see if I can locate any of my patterns and if so, might be able to get them to you somehow.

[DumbledoresGirl]

That would be fab mistlethrush, because florence's link shows me how it is done, but isn't a pattern for socks per se so I am not really helped (I am not the sort of knitter who can make things up as I go along).

[DumbledoresGirl]

Does Ravelry have a chat section where you all sit around with your knitting/embroidery/etc, chatting? Or is the talk purely patterns and yarns?

[florenceuk]

there are forums (inc a Mumsnetters one) where you can chat. some are more prolific than others! DG, you must put your name down and then come and join us. My interest in knitting has ballooned since I joined (and my collection of wool). Anyway, here is a toe-up sock knitty.

And another top down sock here

Also, the lana grossa link has a table showing you how many to cast on for a particular size, which if you have knitted a sock before might make sense!

[deco]

have a look on www.knitty.com, they have lots of free patterns, including plenty of socks.

i want to knit the kids some christmas stockings this year, but the heel looks very tricky....

[DumbledoresGirl]

OOOH lots of patterns to choose from! Thanks very much. I think I might need to join Ravelry just to get someone to translate the American terms for me!

Also like the idea of doing socks for the children this Christmas (not that they will wear them, I'll bet)

[DumbledoresGirl]

Right, I have "knocked on Ravelry's door" so to speak. When I get in, can you advise me? Is it real names or nicknames like on here? And if I want to be recognised by other Mners, do people there use their MN name?

Thanks so much again for the help with the "short-row heel" (as I now know it is called).

Oh and btw Deco, I don't know how experienced you are knitting, but I usually find that just following each step as you come to it is much easier than reading a pattern cold and trying to understand it.

[florenceuk]

when you get your invite, you can choose a name (but you can't namechange). Then you can look for groups and join them. Each group has its own discussion board. There is a Mumsknitters group (search for Mumsnet), when you join, you can post on a thread and say hello. BellaBear will then very efficiently add you to the list with your MN nickname and your Ravelry name.

then you can friend me and the others, so we can be nosy as to what you are doing. In the Ravelry community everything apart from personal messages is "public" - so all your posts, comments, photos etc can be tracked from your Ravelry name.

I tend to stick to posting on knitting but I also lurk on the Heroes board and the Dr Who board!

[DumbledoresGirl]

Sounds exciting! I am looking forward to hearing I have been accepted. Not sure I will be posting pictures of my creations though!

[deco]

i too have applied to join (do they accept everyone?)

i'm not that experienced a knitter, have done a few cardignas for the kids and some dolly clothes, am currently battling with a Po (from the teletubbies) hat for dd for christmas, it's the first time i've used double pointed needles, but i figure dd is only 21 months and won't notice all my mistakes

[EachPeachPearMum]

florence you can namechange- up to 3 times, without charge it says (I looked yesterday, as my ravelry name is nothing like my mn name!)

[florenceuk]

ooh i didn't know that!

[EachPeachPearMum]

It's in your profile... go to my notebook, then 'update my profile' at top of page

[DutchOma]

Dumbledoresgirl, I'm so looking forward to you joining Ravelry. I missed your post completely yesterday. I have patterns for traditional socks if you still want them.
And yes, I completely agree that a pattern becomes clear as you come to it, even if it makes no sense to begin with. I don't think it takes very long these days to get into Ravelry and they very much enjoy having new knitters to encourage, so Deco, that goes for you too. I'll look out for you too.

[DumbledoresGirl]

I am always interested in looking at new patterns DO. The ones florence found me look good, but also scarily technical (though I always feel that way about a pattern until I start!)

Will I recognise you all on Ravelry?

[oggsfrog]

A lot of us have the same names as on here.

[florenceuk]

there is a huge knowledge base for sock knitters, because it is so popular in the States - there is lots of stuff online (I googled short-row sock tutorial and got lots of hits), and the Ravelry groups will also help out.

[Fubsy]

Hey Oggsfrog, I saw you on the Doctor Who newbies the other day! I thought I recognised the name!