Tops & Toes

By Annie's

Newcomers to sock and hat knitting will find this book to be an invaluable resource. Novice knitters will learn new techniques, explained in an easy, step-by-step format, while the more seasoned knitter may learn a new way to work a familiar technique. The variety of enticing designs will be sure to "knock their socks off!"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Annie's
• Release date: Feb 1, 2009
• ISBN: 9781573677455

Book preview

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TOPS & TOES™

Copyright © 2009 House of White Birches, Berne, Indiana 46711

All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing 2009, China

Library of Congress Control Number: 2008901111

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-59217-220-7

Softcover ISBN: 978-1-59217-233-7

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the instructions in this book. However, we cannot be responsible for human error or for the results when using materials other than those specified in the instructions, or for variations in individual work.

DRGbooks.com

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WELCOME!

When it comes to knitting hats and socks, there’s such a world of excitement to be found in these small, compact creations. We’ve selected a variety of designs to excite sock fanatics, as well as an assortment of colorful caps to keep those eager hands busy for hours to come.

In this book, you’ll find three easy-to-navigate sections: Tops, Toes and Sets. In the front of the book, you will find an extensive Special Techniques section that we’re sure you’ll consider an invaluable resource. If you’re a newcomer to sock knitting, this section will help you understand each technique, step-by-step. If you’re a more seasoned knitter, you may pick up a new way of working a familiar technique.

In the Tops section, you’ll be impressed by the variety of hat patterns for babies, kids and adults. These projects are simple, cleverly creative and approachable for knitters of every level. Need to make a gift on the fly? The Spring Has Sprung Hat, made in stockinette stitch with appliquéd flower accents, makes for the perfect last-minute gift, sure to impress everyone.

Need to add a little excitement to those feet? We’ve selected some unexpected approaches to the basic sock shape in our Toes selections. For the new sock knitter, the Simple Self-Striping Socks make the perfect first project. Or, add some pep to your step with the Playful Polka Dot Socks.

If you need to find the perfect shower gift, our Sets collection offers a generous selection of matching hat and sock patterns. For a girl or a boy, the Three Times a Charm Hat & Booties Set is sure to inspire you. The cute ear flap hat and matching booties are designed using interchangeable elements to really help you make this project one-of-a-kind.

So, pick up those needles, and start knitting some Tops & Toes!

Wishing you happy, fun-filled hours of knitting!

Kara Gott Warner, Editor

Contents

Spring Has Sprung Hat

All Buttoned Up Beanie

Itty Bitty Buggie Preemie Caps

Sassy Swirl Hat

Funky Chunky Cloche

Phaidros Grecian Hat

Corkscrew Tam

Arctic Ear Flap Cap

Lacy Chain-Link Cable Head & Neck Warmer

Three-Toned Topper

Bobble Lace Beanie

Nordic Tasseled Tam

Plush Stripes Hat

Twisted Rib Cap

Segmented Scandinavian Cloche

Twisted Basket Weave Newsboy

Tiger-Striped Toque

Playful Polka Dot Socks

Diamond Swirl Socks

Electric Flower Socks

Fancy Fair Isle Socks

Tickle Your Toes Top-Down Socks

Foot Fetish Socks

Zany Zigzag Socks

Bahama Mama Flip-Flop Socks

Twisted Rib Reversi Socks

Little Tike Toe-Up Socks

Daisy Rib Buttoned Leg Warmers

Cozy Cabled Leg Warmers

Three Times a Delight

Wee Baby Bamboozle Hat & Socks

Walking Spiral Hat & Socks

Orange You My Baby

Simple Self-Striping Skullcap & Socks

Man’s Racing Stripe Cap & Socks

Honeycomb Cable Cap & Socks

Sideways Striped Chuk & Socks

Pixie Stocking Cap & Booties

Kirsten Cap & Sockies

Techniques

Standard Abbreviations

Conversion Charts & Yarn Weight System

General Information

Knitting Basics

Crochet Basics

Special Thanks

Yarn Resources

Cast-On Techniques

For Top-Down Socks

Long Tail Cast-On

Begin with a length of yarn about three times the length of the finished cast on edge. Make a slip knot and place it on the needle. The yarn attached to the ball is the working end and the end created from the slip knot is the long-tail end.

Hold the needle in one hand, and, with the other hand, create a V with your thumb and index finger. Hold the long-tail end in the crease of the thumb and the working yarn around the index finger.

Swing the needle between the opening created under the thumb and the long-tail end, but do not release the thumb.

Wrap the working end around the needle and pull the long-tail end up, over and off with the thumb as if to knit.

Remove the thumb and tighten the long-tail end around the base of the stitch.

Repeat this process until you have the required amount of stitches.

Cable Cast-On

Start with a slip knot placed on the left-hand needle, leaving a short tail. Pick up the right-hand needle and knit one stitch.

Insert the right-hand needle between the two stitches, wrap the yarn over the needle and draw the yarn through the loop.

Place the new stitch onto the left-hand needle. Repeat this process until you have the required amount of stitches.

For Toe-Up Socks

Crochet Provisional Cast-On

Step 1: With waste yarn, start by making a slip knot, and place the loop on a crochet hook. (See Crochet Basics for making a crochet chain.)

Step 2: Make a crochet chain long enough to accommodate a few more than the desired number of stitches. Fasten off. With the knitting needle, pick up one stitch in the back loop of each chain until you have the required number of cast on stitches. When you are ready to work the live stitches, simply unravel the waste yarn and place the stitches onto the knitting needle.

Turkish (Figure 8 Cast-On)

This is an invisible cast on that forms a closed end. To work the Turkish Cast-On, you need two double-pointed needles.

Step 1: Hold both needles parallel and in your right hand and wrap the yarn loosely around the two double-pointed needles in a figure 8 fashion.

Step 2: Work the figure 8 up and over both needles until you have the required number of loops on each needle. (The tail end of the yarn will be on the right side.)

Step 3: With a new needle, knit across the loops on first needle. Turn.

Step 4: Now repeat step 3 and knit across the loops on the second needle.

Repeat Steps 3–4 until desired length is reached, alternating needles on each row and increasing stitches as instructed in the pattern text.

As you continue increasing on either side of the work for toe shaping, a cup will begin to form. This will serve as the foundation for your toe.

Working in The Round

Working with Double-Pointed Needles

Helpful Tips:

Make sure that the cast on edge remains along the inside of the circle on each needle. This will help prevent the stitches from twisting around the needles.

After cast on row: refer to Working with Two Circular Needles to join the first and last stitch.

4 Double-Pointed Needles

Cast on the number of stitches required. Distribute the stitches as instructed in the pattern on 3 double-pointed needles. Position the needles so that needle 1 is on the left and needle 3 is on the right. The yarn you’re about to work with should be attached to the last stitch on needle 3.

5 Double-Pointed Needles

Cast on the number of stitches required. Distribute stitches evenly on 4 double-pointed needles. Position the needles so that needle 1 is on the left and needle 4 is on the right. The yarn you’re about to work with should be attached to the last stitch on needle 4.

Working with Two Circular Needles

Cast on the required number of stitches onto a circular needle. Slip half of the stitches to a second circular needle. Needle 1 holds the first group of stitches and needle 2 holds the rest of the stitches.

Step 1: Slide all stitches to other end of needles, making sure that needle 2 is on top, and needle 1 is on the bottom.

Step 2: Slip the first stitch from needle 1 and place onto needle 2. Slip the ending stitch from needle 2 up and over the stitch just transferred onto needle 1 to join into a ring.