Rock Those Socks Make-Along Part 1

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Ok are you all set to start making those socks????? Please feel free to share your progress with us! You can either # your progress on social media using #rockthosesocksmal or pop over to Sarah's Ravelry group HERE! For the sock knitters, Sarah from Crafts from the Cwtch, has posted Part One HERE. Time for a little confession.....

Remember this photo of my chosen yarn for making my socks? *coughs nervously*

Ok well I made a start on the socks using the above colours....

And it just wasn't working for me.

The colours didn't feel right together. So, I ditched the pink. 

It worked! Much better colour combination :-)

But I felt bad about leaving out the pink as it is such a gorgeous colour. So I made another pair of socks in a different pattern using the pink. 

I've written up the pattern for both socks so next week I'll also talk you through making the lacy pair too!

Right lets get cracking!!!

A couple of important points to bear in mind!!

I am left handed. When I crochet I work in the opposite direction, so clockwise as opposed to anti clockwise. 

The instructions will work whether left or right handed. You just need to mentally flip my photos!

The instructions are written in UK crochet terms. 

Stitch markers are your friend! It might be pain having to move them each round but they are important. They show you where to increase/decrease. 

Sizing.

My socks are made to fit my pretty average size 5 (UK)/ 38 feet. I have a very high instep so I've adjusted them slightly to take account of this. I am using Scheepjes Stone Washed yarn (now available to buy in the UK from Wool Warehouse!) and the recommended hook size is 3-3.5mm. I'm using a 4mm hook as I hook fairly tightly and this hook gives me the required tension but use the recommended hook size for your yarn. You do not want your socks to be too tight nor do you want them to be very loose. Try to maintain a nice even tension. 

Keep trying your sock on throughout the making. It's easy to decrease or increase as needed. 

The beauty of crochet socks is that you can adjust them as you progress. 

Just remember to jot down any changes you make as you will need those notes when making your second sock!

Stitches

I'm using an extended double crochet stitch (edc) for most this pattern. It's a lovely stitch that has a little stretch to it so perfect for socks! It also give a nice smooth finish. To make the stitch you insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through one loop , yarn over and pull through the remaining 2 loops. Easy as that! 

There's a nice you tube tutorial here!

For the heel we'll be using a standard double crochet. 

Increases will be made by working 2 stitches in the stitch

 BEFORE and AFTER the stitch markers unless otherwise stated. This will give a nice even finish to your socks. 

The socks are made in rounds. At the end of each round join with a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round (APART FROM THE VERY FIRST ROUND!). You will begin each round with a chain 1 and then make the edc into the first stitch. You will get a visible join on the side of your sock, but it will prevent the sock from twisting! 

TO MAKE THE TOE

Begin by chaining 8 in the colour you've chosen for you toe part (I've used Yellow Jasper). Into the second chain from hook edc 1 and then edc a further 6 stitches.

7 stiches made. 

Next you need to pivot your work 180 degrees and work 7 edc on the other side.

It should look something like and you will have 14 stitches in total. Do not join with a slip stitch!

Now insert your stitch markers in stitch 1 and 8.

I've used different colours so I know which one is the starting stitch!

Round 1 

Increase round! Work edc in first stitch (don't forget to move stitch marker up!) now work a round of edc but increase in the stitches before and after the stitch markers. You should now have 18 stitches, having increased by 4. Join with a slip stitch.

It should look something like this!

Round 2

Another increase row the same as before!

Should now have 22 stitches and it's starting to resemble a boat shape!

Round 3 

This is worked exactly the same, increasing by 4 to 26 stitches. 

Round 4 

Work a round of edc with no increase.

Round 5 

Increase another 4 which will take you to 30 stitches. 

Round 6 

Work a round of edc with no increase. Break off yarn. 

It should now resemble a sock toe!

And when placed on your foot should fit comfortably! If you find it's way too big, rip back to the last increase and work a couple of rows and see if its a better fit. Likewise if its too tight add another 4 stitches in this round. 

TO MAKE THE FOOT

The foot is made by working rounds of edc without increasing or decreasing. Don't forget the join the end of each round with a slip stitch. 

I've worked my colours in the following order:

 2 rounds of Crystal Quartz

 4 rounds of Amazonite

2 rounds of Yellow Jasper

2 rounds of Crystal Quartz

2 rounds of Amazonite

4 rounds of Crystal Quartz

2 rounds of Yellow Jasper

This took me to the point where the sock foot part had completely covered the top of my foot and where the heel starts. Depending on your foot size you may have to work more or less rows. 

 So there you go! First part is finished! As you can see from the photo, the extended double crochet expands nicely to fit your foot :-) I hope my instructions are nice and easy to follow!

If you're having any problems please pop over to the Ravelry group here and I'll try to help :-)

Next week we will be tackling the heel!!!

Hope to see you all then.

Now I'm off to dust off my knitting needles and try my hand at Sarah's sock pattern!

Til next time x

ETA I forgot to add yarn quantities!!! A single finished sock weighs around 40g. I've worked my toe, heel and cuff all in the same colour. Juggle your colours until you're happy with the stripe pattern. Don't forget, you can always make a plain pair!
I've also had some questions about gauge. I haven't stated  gauge as we all work to different tensions. I really don't want you to stress about getting the tension right. If it feels too tight/loose either go up/down a hook size or try fewer or more stitches. Keep trying it on to check that all feels good!