Update: May 2021

Hello my sock knitting friends!

I’ve made improvements! I’ve added four more sizes and created a new linked tutorial for Turkish Cast On on my website. More importantly, I’ve added a 6 page addendum called Holli’s Top Tip Toe Up Tips which includes:

• A Better Way to Minimize Holes
• Detailed Afterthought Heel instructions and photos
• Tips for measuring and placing the heel in the right spot for better fit
• Working with self-striping yarns and coordinating the striping and the heel placement
• Knitting in the Dark, where I explain how to knit long tubes and then put the toes, heels, cuffs on as an afterthought

The original pattern (with added sizes) is on the first four pages. After that it gets pretty photo-heavy, so you may wish to pick and choose what you print.

As the name suggests, the Tip Toe Up sock is worked from the toe to the cuff and has a completely replaceable heel and toe. This is a skill-building pattern with step by step instructions for Turkish cast on, grafting on the needles, a stretchy sewn bind off with no sewing, forethought heel, and heel/toe replacement included.

Instructions are written for your preferred choice of needles: one long or two short circular needles, flexi or straight DPNs, or mini circular.

This knitting pattern includes written description and instructions/links for specified techniques.

Sizing
To fit foot circumference: 5¼ (6¼, 7¼, 8¼, 9½)(10½, 11½, 12½, 13½)“ / 13.5 (16, 18.5, 21, 24)(26.5, 29, 32, 34.5) cm
Finished foot circumference: 4¾ (5¾, 6½, 7½, 8½)(9½, 10¼, 11¼, 12¼)” / 12 (14.5, 16.5, 19, 21.5)(24, 26, 28.5, 31) cm
Finished foot length: 5¼ (6¼, 7, 8¼, 9½)(10½, 11½, 12¾, 13¾)“ / 13.5 (16, 18, 21, 24)(26.5, 29, 32.5, 35) cm
While every body is unique. If gift knitting, it might be helpful to know that the sizing is loosely as follows: baby (child, preteen, adult S, M)(L, XL, 2X, 3X).

Yarn
Fingering weight sock yarn
MC: 100 (150, 225, 285, 375)(450, 525, 645, 765) yd / 90 (135, 205, 260, 345)(415, 480, 590, 700) m
CC: 35 (45, 60, 85, 105)(125, 160, 185, 215) yd / 30 (45, 55, 80, 95)(115, 145, 170, 195) m

Shown in: RainCityKnits Superwash Sock; 423 m (463 yd) per 100 g (4 oz) skein; 75% superwash wool / 25% nylon

Substitution Notes
Use a yarn especially made for sock knitting with some nylon in it. If you want to stay away from man-made fibres, a blend with silk or mohair will add strength to the yarn or look for a yarn with a tight twist. The gauge should be quite tight to make the socks long-wearing.

Techniques
Knit & purl sts, knitting in the round, Turkish cast on (described), raised increases (tutorial links), toe up sock construction, afterthought heel, yarn placeholder (tutorial link), replaceable heel, on the needles grafting, stretchy no sewing sewn bind off (tutorial link).

Helpful Links
Raised Increases video tutorial
Raised Increases photo tutorial
SSK & SSP Decreases video tutorial
How to insert a waste yarn placeholder for the planned afterthought heel.
How to work a sewn bind off with no sewing.
Turkish Cast On