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MADE IN VERMONT

Formerly Grafton Fibers

Toe-Up Crocheted Socks

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Toe up crocheted socks are so simple to do.  Really.  And adding an after-thought heel means that worn-out heels can be removed and replaced at any time.

Yarns - anything that will feel good on your toes.

Hook size - whatever size that will make a firm fabric in single crochet or whatever stitch you choose. We recommend our Hummingbird™ or Peacock™ crochet hooks, which are available from our vendors or the FiberStore. Your tools should be comfortable and beautiful. They spend more time in your hands than the yarn does!

To begin, make a chain about 1 to 2 inches long, depending on the size of the foot the sock is intended for.  Then begin your pattern stitch - I use single crochet as I feel it makes a firmer sock, but you can use any pattern here.  Crochet along the chain to the beginning of the chain and then crochet back up the other side of the chain. 

The Toe   Begin crocheting in rounds, adding two stitches to the stitch at either side.  In other words, make a double increase in each of the side stitches.  Continue in this manner until the toe is the right width for the foot.

The Body   Continue crocheting in rounds until the sock reaches to the bend of the ankle.  In the photo above, I played around with stripes and a little color work, but you can do anything you like.

The Ankle   When you have reached the ankle point, go around once, then go around the top of the sock only.  At the side of the sock, make a chain that is half the total stitches long.  In other words, if your sock body has 44 stitches in it, make a chain 22 stitches long, and then reattach that chain at the other side of the sock. You now have a hole where the heel will go. Continue on up the ankle in the pattern/colors of your choice.

The Heel   The heel is simply another toe.  Go back to the heel area and, using single crochet, work once around the entire opening, then continue in rounds making a double decrease (two decreases) at each side until you have a gap approximately 1-2 inches wide, again depending on the foot size.  Turn the sock inside out and slip stitch the heel together.  Voila!  You have made a sock!

Notes   I have a high instep.  And crochet seems to shrink in diameter more than length - at least in my experience. For my next pair of socks, I think I will increase a little when I get to the instep area.  Also, if you have a deep or narrow heel, you can adjust where you make the decreases or the

number of stitches in the chain. 

Copyright 2003 Linda Diak and Grafton Fibers