Tag: free pattern

Boot Cuffs Knit in Myak Yarn

Mat my daughter’s request, I have begun to knit boot cuffs. Last year I knit some cabled cuffs in brown yarn, but she says they are too loose.

Now I have knit a new pair of cuffs which does not have a pattern, but I will write on this post how I made them.

boot cuffs knit in Myak yarn color Moss
Boot cuffs done- unwashed! Yup, that’s a big seashell.

Quick Boot Cuffs Pattern

I don’t have a gauge to report, and since I was trying to make these fit my daughter’s small legs, it was trial and error. After my third try, this size seems to be okay. I won’t know for sure until she receives them and tries them on with her jeans and boots.

This is how I knit the boot cuffs pictured on this page, which are small – like teen girl size. It will depend on the type of yarn used also – is it stretchy? Are you a tight knitter like I am? To make them bigger, cast on more stitches by 2’s. In other words, it’s a bit of trial and error.

  • Using a size 6 US circular (9-inch) needle, cast on 34 stitches and join in the round. (DPN’s work too)
  • Do a 1×1 rib (knit one, purl one) for approximately four inches – or to desired length
  • When the vertical ribbing is done, knit one row around.
  • Next, Purl 2 rows, Knit 2 rows 4 times, or more if the top needs to be longer.
  • Bind off loosely

The loose bind off I used was a combination of the stretchy bind-off shown on Andrea Mowry’s video and a regular bind-off. I do one stretchy, with the extra yarn over, then a regular bind off – around.

The Yarn

The yarn used is Myak and I have to say it is the most beautiful yarn I think I’ve ever used. First of all, I LOVE that color, which is “Moss”. I really hated to use it for something like boot cuffs, but my daughter will take good care of them and not much yarn was used. I could actually make her a hat or scarf to match.

Here is what I’ve read about Myak yarn:

  • It is naturally sourced from Tibetan yaks
  • “The fiber is hand-combed from the soft undercoats with no harm to the animal” – taken from the tag on this yarn skein.
  • The skein I used here is 100% from baby yaks
  • 125 yards in this skein

Knitting For Baby, The Free “Perfect Newborn Socks” Pattern

After knitting the Beloved baby bonnet pattern for a friend’s new granddaughter, I found this free baby sock pattern. The Perfect Newborn Socks pattern is offered for free by Tabitha Gandee and I got the pattern on the Ravelry site. I already had the CoBaSi machine washable yarn in color Bubblegum pink. (Pattern link below.)

Read more: Knitting For Baby, The Free “Perfect Newborn Socks” Pattern

Get the Free Pattern Here

Perfect Newborn Socks pattern page at Ravelry.

Some knitters complained that the pattern did not make sense in areas and I would agree. For that reason, I would not recommend this pattern to a beginner knitter, unless you are knowledgable in the way socks are knit. It could be very frustrating if you try to follow the pattern exactly.

I have made notes below for anyone who needs a little advice along the way. I’m grateful to the people who offer us free patterns, but often those patterns can have mistakes or less clear directions than a designer who requires payment.

baby socks pink bubblegum yarn

Places in the Pattern Where I Made Changes

First of all, I went up to a size 2 needle and knit with DPN’s, not magic loop. I am a relatively tight knitter and I didn’t want the socks to be too small. After washing and drying, the foot measures about 3 1/2 inches and the ribbed cuff is about 2 inches before folding.

These are top-down socks and I cast-on with the German Twisted cast-on. Then I did the more simple 2×2 rib without cabling.

I followed the pattern fine until the end of the Heel Turn section. For the last Row 3 knit, I did not do the SSK and simply knit across the 8 stitches, because the count was correct after Row 2. But, if you stop knitting after Row 2 you will be in the wrong place to continue.

After knitting that last Row 3, I knit four more stitches onto that needle. Then, with a new needle I knit the next four stitches and began picking up the stitches for the Gusset.

With the next needle, knit across the top of the foot with 2×2 rib or the cable rib, whichever you are doing. After that, use a new needle pick up the nine stitches along the side and knit the four stitches left onto that third needle.

Now you will have three needles. Two needles are holding stitches for the Gusset and 1/2 of heel, and the other is holding the front / top of foot stitches. In the pattern, the writer has four needles being used, but all 16 top of foot stitches can easily be worked on one needle. The fewer DPN’s the better IMO.

Three needles to knit foot of sock
Getting my stitches onto three needles to begin the decreases

Doing the Kitchener Stitch at the Toe

After decreasing quickly at the toe area, the Kitchener Stitch will round out the toe. This stitch is done with a darning needle and is not terribly difficult, but it’s something I have to look up every time I do it. I also used it when I knit the Glissade colorwork mittens.

On YouTube I like the slow motion Kitchener Stitch video by Very Pink Knits which is easy to follow. She shows us what to do with the last two stitches on the needle as well. The yarn will be coming off the back needle to start, and you need a darning / embroidery needle to do it.

Kitchener stitch sock toe
baby sock kitchener stitch

These ended up being cute little socks that will complete the Hat and Sock set for my friend’s granddaughter. I would make them again, and I also like the CoBaSi yarn for baby things. It washes and dries nicely – and can go in the washing machine and dryer! There is no wool in it which works well if a baby could be allergic. I washed them by hand, but it’s good to know that a new Mom won’t have to.

Perfect Newborn socks pattern knitting
knitting divider

Keep Reading

Knitting the Free Fair Isle Mitts Pattern

This page contains notes on knitting figerless mitts using stranded colorwork. I will be using Jamieson & Smith wool in five colors (added one, so six).

This is a free pattern download at Ravelry for the Fair Isle Mitts. The pattern has charts and written instructions with two hand / palm motifs to choose from. I put one on the top and the other on the palm.

Continue reading “Knitting the Free Fair Isle Mitts Pattern”

Free, Fast and Cute Pattern For Maine Morning Mitts

This cute fingerless mitts pattern, Maine Morning Mitts, is easy to knit and is good practice for knitting in the round. I love knitting hats in the round, but not so much these smaller circumferences. Mitts, mittens and socks require DPN’s, small circumference needles, or the use of Magic Loop.

Continue reading “Free, Fast and Cute Pattern For Maine Morning Mitts”