Quimper Hittys

Exploring

The Quimper Hittys always like my hand-knitted socks. They make good sleeping bags, but only one Hitty can fit inside each sock.

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One Sock

On the other hand (foot?) two Hittys and a number of kitties can use a sock for a cushion-and-lap blanket!

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Two needles

Sunset sock number two is begun. When two circular needles are used, half of the total number of stitches is worked on each needle. In this case there are 60 stitches in the sock, 30 on each needle…you knit from one end of the circular needle onto the other end of the same needle! Then the yarn is in position to continue knitting around on the second needle! It’s one of those things that sounds complicated when you describe it, but makes sense when you do it!

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Heel

The heel flap is worked by knitting forward and purling back on the same needle. In this picture I have got to the end of heel flap, and I am just about to do the heel turn.

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Cosy sock

After the heel is turned, I picked up 12 stitches along the side of the heel flap, using the same needle (42 stitches).  The using the second needle, knit across the instep (30 stitches). Then using the heel needle, I picked up 12 more stitches with the heel needle along the other side of the heel flap…ending up with 54 stitches on that needle. There are still only 30 stitches on the instep needle.

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Inspect instep

But by decreasing at the beginning and end of the heel needle on every second row, you reduce the number of stitches.  When you get back to the same number as on your instep needle, you are ready to knit rounds again, and have also made  the instep gusset.

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Pair

When the sock is long enough you do the toe decreases, and finally both socks are done!

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Dinner Plate

Meanwhile the Shetland wool Fair Isle tam has been blocked over a dinner plate…

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Drawstring

  To block it I soaked it in cool water for 20 minutes or so, then slipped the plate inside, running a temporary drawstring round the inside rdge to hold it in shape while it dries.

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Cosy

We love knitting season!

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