Garter Stitch Toe for Toe Up Socks // Technique Tuesday

[@allisonhodge4576]

Thank you for this video! I could not help but say “Toe-tally” every time you did as a pun intended 😂😂 Roxanne, you continue to aid me in my adventures and as usual I am so very appreciative! Love from MN ❤️

[@B3Kusa]

I wish you would know how I love to listen to you and watch your tutorials.

[@anitaswart.]

Thank you for an interesting video. I have knitted for 65 years, but only started knitting socks 8 years ago. Quite a steep learning curve, because I am South African and unfortunately I was taught to knit the English way, holding my right hand needle like a pen. At 5 I was very proud when my tiny had could do this. Even though all my forefathers are European, this is what happens with colonialism. So I taught myself with the help of Ann But's book. If you have only knitted with English patterns, this was also different and I am dyslexic. But when I got it socks are my go to knit and when I need a gift, socks is what they get. Only thing is I still have a mental block when it comes to toe ups. The toe is the least of my problems, but when I think of the heal and instep my brain goes into panic mode. Must overcome that, but will have to go and sit in a room on my own and practice. Only way I can think of is the after thought heel, but it isn't a nice looking heel. I was pleasantly surprised when you picked up the garter stitches the way you did, because I knit mitered square blankets and that was the only way I could pick up the stitches and have the blanket reversible, when working with stripy yarn in the same colour. I also am neurotic about miss matched socks and go to great lengths for this. Much to my daughter's horror. I tried to change my knitting style, because it is so logic, but 65 of knitting is so ingrained and my knitting is my therapy. I admire your knowledge and wish knitting was studied like you and the Europeans do. KZbin has been a blessing, but only discovered it after suffering with written patterns. God bless

[@bboice08]

While watching your video today you said some golden words to me!! Thank you!! Simply stated you said it takes 2 rows to form a ridge or one completed ridge!! I am one who is still working learning counting stitches (what it really looks like) and so your simple words have made my day. I will check back on some of your more basic videos on techniques such as counting stitches, rows, swatching, etc. and as always many, many thanks! Pleasure listening to you Roxanne hope your weather is warm!! Thanks for reaching my brain!!! See soon!! lol

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Quite an original toe construction !

[@latitude1904]

It looks like a cute little hedgehog ♡

[@rainieraine1192]

Thank you for this neat garter stitch toe. I love knitting socks so great to have a new technique, thanks again Roxanne.

[@sacredsortilege]

I've been procrastinating starting a pair of socks because I hate casting on socks both toe-up and cuff-down. THIS is exactly the easy, unique thing I needed to get my sock mojo back! Thank you as always for such a great video!

[@EvieO1950]

A interesting technique thats is completely new to me. Thank you for this great info. 💕🧶🧦💕

[@ccpperrett7522]

Thank you! Great video.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Glad you liked it!

[@IslandLady76]

I used to be a cuff down knitter until I got used to Judy's cast on, now that is my go to but I want the reinforced heel gusset so I am still looking for my perfect sock. Thank you for showing how to pick up along the garter ridge. I have never known how to do that since most directions say pick up and knit x stitches. Thank you.

[@sandracasagrande3825]

Do the heel st

[@madhumasumi1590]

Wow! Amazing, I will surely going to try this method cause I have been looking for a method to knit thicker toes and sole of the socks in toe-up circular socks knitting. Thanks for your tutorial.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You’re welcome 😊

[@kiddycar16]

Just started knitting a pair of socks using the Gartner stitch for toe and heel. I wanted something that would wear better than just stockinette. So I found another utube channel called Christina from Knitters Life podcast showing how she works Gartner stitch toe and heel into her socks using the wrap and turn short rows. An because it's Garter stitch I don't have to pick up the wraps as this stitch conceal it very nicely. Have tried the finished one on an it feels squishy, but that the whole point of reinforcement.

[@nancyhugo4336]

I am enjoying the variety of sweaters you have worn lately. Thanks.

[@theastewart6721]

Very interesting construction Roxanne. Thanks fir sharing with us. They are beautiful socks!

[@Ursaminor31]

I think this may be my first pair of socks to try. Thank you for sharing and all you do.

[@vivrbn]

Interesting toe construction. I'll have to give that a try whenever I get around to knitting some socks. Thanks 😊

[@EV-D-10]

It's a fun start of a bottom up bag too!

[@cydnicaldwell1337]

Ooh! Something new to try! This might just help me with sock making. I always forget to increase every other round when knitting toe up and have to tink back a row about once in every 4 rows. Knitting a garter stitch start means no increasing and just knitting! I love this and the book you mentioned (The Sock Knitters Handbook) is sitting in my cart for purchasing on the 1st of the month. Thank you for all the work you put into teaching everyone. Have a wonderful week and an even better weekend.

[@Anna.GG.]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I am about to try on a new pair of socks. What an excellent teacher you are! 👍😊😊

[@lakeviewchicachicago2042]

Love round toe up socks! I’m definitely going to try this!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Have fun!

[@MissHoyden]

I love this! It’s now my favorite toe (because it matches my toes)

[@jenniferrich5292]

I just love your channel! Thanks for this interesting new toe shape. It’s going into my next pair of socks for a test drive!🥰

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Have fun!

[@EV-D-10]

I'll cast on a pair soon! Will share in the Rav group :-)

[@TheSuzberry]

Another toy for my sock knitting basket. Thank you.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You’re welcome 😊

[@lindac7146]

I love learning a new technique. Thx for sharing.

[@jeantompkins67]

Thank you for another great podcast. I always learn something new...love the garter toe. I will be giving it a try on my next socks.

[@annd9159]

Very interesting. I like the sweater you are wearing.

[@lesleyleake7391]

An interesting toe construction.I will be trying this out.Great video thank you🙂🧶

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Hope you like it!

[@PeggyV69]

I like this toe. I always wear holes in the toes of my socks so having a sturdier toe would be great. Thank you!

[@maryalgar8779]

Very interesting. Another option and great explanations.

[@pedrorodriguez3532]

Your garter toe samples look like tiny hats to me. If the garter quadrilateral is made to a large enough dimension it can make very interesting hats. Thanks for this technique.

[@rosepaul9681]

Wow, very unique observation. I am intrigued. Might have to experiment.

[@beliamacias7042]

Very interesting,i see this as in opportunity to try something new.. I've been trying to get into knitting socks, and this pattern is going to help me get started. I like it a lot. Thank you for your tutorial

[@deedeeodonnell696]

Thank you for this information it was very helpful! 🐰🐰

[@batya7]

Very interesting. I wonder about long-term wear at the toe because it seems the big toe would put strain on those stitches. Ah well, I suppose it happens on conventional toes, too. The look is different, too.

[@rociochon2033]

I will definitely try this toe! Thank you!

[@paulagrnsy]

Sounds fun.

[@MegaWizardman1]

I love your tutorials, videos, and technique tip videos! Your self-patterning and self-striping sock yarns are always so cute and fun-what brand sock yarns do you use?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

In most cases, I leave a link to my Ravelry project page for any finished project/work in progress, which will include yarn information. I like Regia quite a lot, but I use lots of other brands. That's particularly true this year.

[@carolynhannah8757]

I have the hardest time starting using double pointed needles. This would make it so much easier

[@mariateleptean8791]

Hi Roxanne, Maria Teleptean here. I am a fan of your teaching. Do you have a tutorial on how to knit mitten ?

[@kj-sf4md]

Have been enjoying your ventures into toe up construction. Do you think you would be writing a toe up sock pattern? At one time i too would get into the textured sock patterns. But soon realized that all the fancy texture work was covered by a pant and when it was visible no noticed. But, color patterns in socks were always noticed, even if it was just a bit at the ankle. However the truth is, we knit for self challenge & joy. So sometimes if i like a texturef pattern, might give it a go on a small project like a sock.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

At some point, I may do a tutorial for toe up socks that is similar to my August Sock KAL tutorial, which was for cuff down socks. That tutorial explains how to measure your foot, identify where your fit issues are likely to be, and then explains how to adapt the standard formulas for different heels and toes in order to accommodate fit issues. It's not a pattern, though. It's up to you to figure out your CO numbers, etc., based on your measurements and gauge, in order to end up with a sock that fits you well, but the tutorial explains how to go about doing that.

[@lucieddeslauriers3027]

Très intéressant, à essayer !

[@categ50]

I just watched this Roxanne. Does this toe wear better? My husband has weird toenails and they go through the socks eventually. I wear out the heel and have to re-enforce them. The next pair I make for him I will try this. As we are getting on to the end of winter🙏 they will be for next year so I will start a few pairs this Spring and summer. I really enjoy your videos!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I don't know if they will be any better long term. Some people find that they fit oddly shaped toes more easily than other toes. The down side would be that this is toe-up, so if you want to replace the toe later, it would be difficult. You might consider reinforcing the toes for him, just as you reinforce heels for you. Otherwise, cuff-down makes taking out a toe and replacing it easier.

[@siamese35]

What toe do you recommend for people who don’t like the feeling of the decreases?

[@christinacruden886]

Great, I’ll give it try. Thank you. I really love your cardigan. Do you have the pattern you could or would share with us? Your such a helpful Lady, giving us such amazing tips. Much appreciated. ❤️🇨🇦

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Should be down in the video description.

[@mariasoledadpaucarvelez6173]

MUY INTERESANTE FORMA DE HACER LA "PUNTERA"... Y LAS OPCIONES Q SE TIENE PARA SEGUIR TEJIENDO... Muchas gracias.... En español sería maravilloso escucharla.

[@woollyprimate]

I know this is an old video, so I don't know if you'll see this comment. But could you do a slip stitch edge on your garter square, and use that to make the picking up easier. A slip stitch is going to take up two rows, which is what a ridge is. So I'm thinking that might work. I could just try it I guess.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Yep, just try it, and compare the result. It's your knitting, so you get to decide what the best approach is for your projects. :-)

[@cassygardner9404]

Thx for the new construction 😀 Is this your preferred toe now?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I still prefer knitting cuff down, and I have several toes that I like. This was an intriguing reason to knit a pair of socks toe up.

[@modinegump1171]

What a cool technique! I don't like the usual starting method for toe-up socks either, and I think I will try this. One question: once you get the foot of your sock going, does it matter where the corners of the toe square end up on the sock? I could see putting one at each side of the foot and one each on the top and bottom of the sock, but one could also rotate 45 degrees so two are on the top and two on the bottom. Is one way more comfortable than the other? I'm a new follower and really enjoy your approach to knitting. I've learned a lot!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

The idea is for the corners to be centered at the top of the instep and bottom of sole, and at each side. Because you are knitting in a tube until it's time to start the heel, it's easy enough to try on the tube and rotate it to see how/why one position will work better than another.

[@allisonbyrd]

So, Roxanne, is there a theoretical reason that it's better, from a fit perspective, to have the garter square oriented on the bias as in your demonstration, or does it not really matter?

[@Titesoline75]

thanks for that great technucs. I wonder how to figure out the measurement to fit the toes. How to calculate how many rows and and stiches for the square? And after you just knit in the round or increase?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You have to know how many stitches you will want for the circumference of the foot. The square is knit across 1/4 of that number of sts. So if you need a 64 st sock, you cast on 16 sts on each of the two needles.

[@ooohlaa13]

@@RoxanneRichardson so would not that be 1/2? if it was 16 twice =32 don't you want 16 total and that would be cast 8 on each? sorry i have a hard time with mechanics but I love love this idea because I have knit at least 30 pair of sox and always only like the toe on one of them for some reason they seem to differ slightly in appearance, I might forget how I increased or something and also a few of the increases might look lopsided. Eager to try this.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

​@@ooohlaa13 You're *casting on* 16 sts onto each needle, but you're only *knitting* 16 sts on one of the needles. The other needle is holding those other 16 live sts for when you PU sts around all the edges.

[@ooohlaa13]

@@RoxanneRichardson clear, got it ... missed that.

[@laurastrom9857]

Asymmetrical is good

[@nancylebrun9953]

Ok i just finish watching the video, so if i get this right, you actually start knitting the sock from the toe, is that right? If that is correct, i would need to understand or see the rest of the steps.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Just as with cuff down socks, there are any number of ways to knit toe up socks, with lots of choices for heels and toes. Sock knitters often experiment with different heels and toes, and swap out a heel or toe that they prefer for one that is indicated in a pattern. This video explains how to do one type of sock toe that could be used for toe up socks.

[@shirley6074]

I want to start knitting socks what type of needle is best or is magic loop the easiest option (please not double points 😳 I am not coordinated)

[@RoxanneRichardson]

The easiest option is whichever method you prefer for working with small circumferences. That will vary from knitter to knitter. I like Magic Loop, others like two circs, many prefer dpns, some like FlexiFlips, and others like 9'' circulars.

[@dawnfyler]

Does this garter stitch toe act as a reinforcer and allow the socks to last longer? And can one use this toe when the instep is in a pattern other than stockinette?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I have no idea whether it's stronger or weaker than any other sock toe. The appeal/purpose is that it doesn't require casting on a small number of sts, and the stretchiness of garter stitch allows it to conform to the shape of your toes. As soon as you begin working in the round, you're working with the full number of sts needed for the foot. For socks with a patterned foot, the pattern typically begins at the base of the toes, when the toe shaping ends, which means there would normally be a couple of inches of stockinette from the base of the toes to where the sock ends. In this case, because there is no toe shaping, I'd do the same thing as for a contrast toe, and just knit in stockinette for an inch before beginning the stitch pattern. But if you'd prefer to start the stitch pattern immediately, that's entirely up to you. It's your sock! :-)

[@Brandyalla]

This may be a silly question, but what if you used the same concept, but did it in stockinette? For people who don't like the texture, or maybe don't like the way it looks. Would it be more difficult to pick up the stitches along the sides of the square? How would you count the ridges (aside from doing double the number of rows as you have cast on stitches, I mean). Some other difficulty I in my inexperience haven't thought of?

[@johanschneiders6293]

You could slip the first stitch of every row, creating a slip stitch selvedge to pick up. Every elongated "v" would correspond to one garter ridge. Stockinette does not, however, have the same stretching properties and proportions as garter stitch, so you would defenitely want to test the fit before knitting a whole sock.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Stockinette does not have the same proportions as garter stitch, and it's very flat. It's the ridges of garter stitch that cause it to pull in vertically, the way ribbing pulls in horizontally. It's the combination of proportions and stretch that make garter stitch work so well for this toe. That doesn't mean you can't start a toe with a rectangle of stockinette, but it might have to have different proportions, or you might have to deal with increases after you pick up along the edge. I would suggest swatching and experimenting and making some comparisons, so that you can really see how it all works, so that you can come up with a solution that gives you the results you want.

[@Brandyalla]

Thank you

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

Can I ask I never bought yarn 🧶 before that’s not in a ball , do I knit from the yarn as is it’s kind of just large loose loops with ties or does it need spinning into ball shape as I tried and got a bit messy . Your so good at teaching 🥰 Who teaches you 😉

[@venividivelcrovideo]

You definitely need to roll it into a cake first. Check out videos on KZbin for how to roll a skein of yarn into a ball.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I have a video on how to hand wind a hank of yarn into a center pull cake. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2Onc3WrhtCGp5o

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

@@RoxanneRichardson Hank oh I didn’t know that’s what they were called , many thanks 😊

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

@@RoxanneRichardson Roxanne thank you so much 😊 brilliant idea 💡

[@The1952trouble]

I want to knit socks but can't get over the fear. Wish I could go to a class somewhere. I'm a hands on person. Lol

[@RoxanneRichardson]

What are you afraid of?

[@sharonharmon2987]

Curious as to how well the toe will wear.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

What is it that you think would be an issue?

[@milas5547]

How do you knit the heel? Sorry, did I miss it? Thank you!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

This is a video about how to knit a garter stitch toe for a toe up sock, any toe up sock. The stitch count, gauge, and heel you use is up to you. Here is a playlist of videos related to sock heels: kzbin.info/aero/PL1AZxTfSCe2fj0ONuDlcVEz45wHDoldOa At the bottom of the playlist is a video that explains how to know when to start the heel. Many of the heels in that playlist can be used for cuff down or toe up socks.

[@pindyluwho]

What kind of circular needles are you using. They kind of look like Chiagoo

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Information about the yarn and needles used is in the video description.

[@sandracasagrande3825]

Can this garter st be done on just our regular toe patts with increases?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I'm not clear on what your question actually is. Is there a particular issue you're trying to solve or another which you are trying to avoid?

[@sandracasagrande3825]

Hmmmm. I do my toes with incs every other round. Normal toe pattern. Can I do garter stitch on a regular toe pattern?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Again, is there a reason you *want* to? Is there a reason you don't want to use stockinette? I'm not saying you shouldn't, and it would be very easy for you to just try it and see what you think. (In fact, I strongly encourage you to do that, because only you will know whether or not you like the process and/or result.) There are very specific reasons why garter stitch works so well for this particular sock toe, which has a very different construction process than a standard toe, namely that the stitch:row gauge ratio is compatible, and the stitch pattern can contract, if necessary.

[@sandracasagrande3825]

@@RoxanneRichardson interestingly I have been kicking around the idea of doing my next heel with garter st. As I have just seen it done. It looks cool and she says its cushey. So I thought why not a toe too. And then up pops your video this morning. I will do it! Thanks for your responses. The

[@karrinne1000]

How would you do this two at a time.?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I don't typically work 2aat, so I haven't spent any time thinking about how to do that. If you are accustomed to 2aat, you are probably more capable of figuring out when/how to make that work! :-) My guess is that you would need to work each garter square on a single circ, and merge the two together on 2 circs once you are working in the round.

[@lafrileuse4459]

The problem I have with toe up socks, is that it takes me a whole lot longer to cast off the cuff than it takes me to do Kitchener stitch on the toes. Also, my cast off never looks as good as my cast on. 😉

[@cydnicaldwell1337]

Rox did a video about a sewn bind off that looks and stretches like a long tail cast on. Not sure but I believe the video was called "half stitch bind off" and its a sewn bind off so you can go right to weaving in the ends using that method.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

It's the Half-Hitch Bind Off :-) From just a few weeks ago.

[@cydnicaldwell1337]

@@RoxanneRichardson thank you for the correction. The medication fog sometimes gets my memory of recent things. However I gladly take that small consequence over living with pain every day.

[@lafrileuse4459]

@@RoxanneRichardson I'll try it! Thank you. 😊

[@marilyn1228]

Could you not have just turned the second sock over and put the heel on the opposite side to make them match at the toes? You'd only be have a round off.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Yes, that was what I was trying to say. I worked hard to make sure I started the heel on the "correct" half of the round so that the toes would match (which is how I'm used to knitting socks -- so that they are identical). To mirror them, I should have started the heel on the other half of the round. The difference would be half a round.