knitting question from a novice

**SemperFyffe** · 13th September 13, 08:12 AM

I have knit my first set of hose (I know about pictures, I haven't had occasion or time to do so yet) and really learned alot. The pattern I chose had cables and lace stitches. To push my "learning" experiment even further I knit the first according to the pattern (top down) and the second toe-up. I discovered that I greatly prefer the toe-up method. I am currently knitting a pair of socks for my wife and I have come up with a question with this pattern that I am hoping some of you more experienced knitters can help me with. I know that this doesn't currently have anything to do with the kilt, but the answer to the question impacts future hose projects I hope to take on.

Here is the question: The pattern I am working is written top down. I have taken the chart and turned it over and have started following the patter from the toe. After a period I realized that when you flip the pattern, all the SSKs remain SSKs and same for the K2TOGs. If I am knitting toe-up instead of top-down as written, should I change SSK to K2TOG? I ask because as I knit, the sock doesn't seem to have the same "texture" as the example in the pictures. I know that this could simply be due to my knitting abilities but I don't have enough experience yet to know the difference. The first hose I knit didn't have this problem as the pattern was the same forward and backward. (Well okay, there are some small differences but you wouldn't notice while I am wearing them.)

Thanks in advance for your advice!

**vmac3205** · 13th September 13, 08:31 AM

Hi Jim,

The difference between SSK and K2TOG is the way the stitch "leans" so you are right. When you flip the pattern upside down the leans would be going the other way. You should be good by trading them.

**sydnie7** · 13th September 13, 08:43 AM

Here's a graphic that I found helpful when making toe-up hose (which require increases to shape the calf vs. the decreases written into top-down patterns). It illustrates the "lean" concept that vmac explains.

Click on the "increases" link to the right and you'll see the same swatch with the increases explained.

**vmac3205** · 13th September 13, 03:49 PM

Wow, that is a great graphic, Sydnie.
I need to steal it.

**kiltedrennie** · 13th September 13, 05:29 PM

I'm far from an expert but, I did stay at an Holiday Inn....

Anyway, from what I've read, the point behind switching between ssk and k2tog is to correct the lean since they lean in opposite directions. It that's true, it shouldn't make any difference as long as they alternate each row.

But then again, I've just started knitting and I felt every thing I knit.

**sockknitter** · 28th October 13, 08:41 PM

so - maybe I'm off here, but if you flipped the top-down pattern to make a toe-up, shouldn't we be talking about increases rather than the ssk and k2tog - which are both decreases?

But if you are moving f/ the toe up, don't you need to increase rather than decrease?

Did I miss something? altho, it's been over a year, maybe you resolved the problem a long while ago…..

**SemperFyffe** · 29th October 13, 07:26 AM

The sock pattern in question had some lace design to it and required both increases and decreases for the pattern. I had trouble wrapping my brain around how to keep the pattern right while going in a different direction. Turns out that if you follow the pattern in reverse (toe up instead of top down) the stitch patterns remain the same. I did have some difficulty when it came to the gusset but finally figured that out as well. Does anyone know of a good bind off for a toe up sock? I have tried several "super stretchy" bind offs and they all end up feeling like a tightly bound string around my calf.

**sydnie7** · 29th October 13, 08:57 AM

Have you ever checked out the Ravelry forum? Great resource for knitters. A quick search there for "stretchy cast off" provides links to various methods plus suggestions such as using a larger needle size for the BO row. I'd provide some links but am on iPad right now and don't know how to...

**SemperFyffe** · 29th October 13, 11:45 AM

Yes, I am on Ravelry and have tried a handful of those stretchy bind offs with no luck. Using a larger needle size is a new one to me... I will have to try that one out. Thanks!