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January 24, 2006

Asked & Answered

Tubular Cast Off
A pretty and stretchy cast off -- it's a miracle!

It will come as no surprise to most of you that the answer to last week's question (what's the best way to bind off a toe-up sock?) was the tubular bind-off.

In my own defense, I had tried it on this sock before throwing myself on the mercy of the blogosphere. At the end of the sock I dutifully pulled out my Knitter's Handbook, girded myself for Montse's somewhat (*ahem*) didactic style, and gave it a shot. Verdict? Too tight.

I now know that the problem was that the book recommended doing at least two rows of tubular knitting (k1, sl1 on one row, then sl1, k1 on the next) before the bind off. In retrospect, I'm sure the bind-off itself had been plenty flexible, but all those slipped stitches made the cuff too tight. When I consulted the links that people kindly left last week, I saw no mention of the pre-cast-off tubular rows.

Last night I gave it one more shot, this time knitting the 1x1 rib normally up to the cast-off row. I used this tutorial combined with what I already knew of grafting, and it worked like a charm. Now I can finish the second sock (I've been dawdling on it until I figured out the cast off) and chase away the winter grays with this fabulous turquoise colorway. Success!

Which reminds me...

sockapaloooza_button.gif

In the midst of my sock-related euphoria, I signed up for Sockapaloooza -- my first sock exchange and my second knitalong in as many weeks. It's gonna be a busy February!

Posted by shannon at January 24, 2006 10:56 AM | For related posts: Sockapaloooza, Socks, Wondering Wednesday

Comments

shannon...it is a bind-off worthy of those beautiful socks. congrats....

Posted by: lisa b at January 25, 2006 9:26 AM

So glad you're doing the sockapaloooza! Are you going to do toe-up socks for your pal, do you think?

Posted by: alison at January 25, 2006 11:14 AM

YAY! Congratulations on finishing your first toe-up sock! Glad the link came in handy. =)

Posted by: Rossana at January 25, 2006 11:25 AM