Sock and Mitten Cuffs
by Linda
This year (1998), I decided to try to get a bit of a head start on
Christmas gift making, but I lacked any concrete ideas.
I then realized I could knit up some cuffs for socks and mittens and figure
out the rest later. What a joy it will be to be able to implement a
design idea right when inspiration strikes, rather than having to spend time
on the ribbing first!
If you lack a basic cuff pattern, try the following.
- Worsted weight yarn in a neutral colour (I've been using Red Heart
Laurentian, half wool half acrylic, in off white)
- set of 4 small sized dpn's, I used 3.25 mm
- fits 8 inch ankle for sock, 7 inch wrist for mitten (woman's medium)
- For socks, cast on 40 stitches, loosely - 12/16/12. For mittens, cast
on 36 sts - 12/12/12.
- Work at least 20 rounds of k2, p2 ribbing.
- Increase 4, 6 or 8 sts evenly on next round (as appropriate) by knitting
plain, keeping future use in mind.
- Place these sts on stitch holder, large safety pin, length of yarn,
or other convenient holder for later use. Store together in pairs so
any differences in sizes or colours aren't a problem later on.
- These cuffs appear like magic if you keep them by the phone, computer,
bedside, etc. to work on in your spare moments.
- Once you've created or decided upon a sock or mitten pattern, increase
(or slightly decrease) the next round to accomodate the stitch pattern
you'll be using.
- If substituting a different yarn weight, do a swatch in stocking st
and cast on a sufficient number to equal slightly less than the
circumference you want.
- Make them in stripes if desired, using plain knit stitches for the
first row of each new colour to avoid the odd looking purl stitches which
can appear, then work at least a few rounds in rib before changing
colours again. This won't affect the elasticity.
- If substituting a different rib pattern, you may have to take this
into account when deciding the number of stitches to cast on.
- If you want to make matching heels and toes for socks, don't forget to
store some of the yarn with the cuffs for later.
- If making them for a child, you might want to do sets of three to
accomodate the lost mitten syndrome. ;)
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