How to Make a Rounded Toe When Knitting Socks
Many historic and contemporary hand-knit socks feature rounded-toe constructions. This method lets knitters shape their sock toes over a greater number of rows than some other toe-shaping techniques, creating a gradual slope and more subtle shaping. You can finish any cuff-down sock pattern with a rounded toe; it's as easy to execute as any other toe-shaping method.
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Things You'll Need
- Yarn
- Double-pointed knitting needles (same size as for the sock pattern)
- Partially knit sock
- Tapestry needle
Instructions
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1
Begin decreasing for the toe when the sock measures about 2 1/2 inches less than the total desired foot length. The number of stitches on your needles must be divisible by 10.
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2
Distribute the stitches over three double-pointed needles. Divide half the stitches evenly over the first and third needles and leave half the stitches on the second needle.
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3
Knit the first round, decreasing for the sock toe in the following pattern: Knit eight stitches, knit two stitches together; repeat until you've reached the end of the round.
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4
Knit the next eight rounds without decreasing.
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5
Decrease after every seven stitches when you knit the next round. For each subsequent decrease round, knit one stitch fewer between decreases.
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6
Knit the next seven rounds without decreasing. After you complete the next decrease round, knit one round fewer (six, then five, and so forth) before you complete another decrease round.
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7
Knit as directed above until you complete a round that consists entirely of knitting two stitches together.
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8
Break the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail, thread the yarn onto a tapestry needle, and draw the tail through the remaining stitches. Pull to secure and weave in the ends.
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