Sock knitters quite often complain about Ladders, those annoying little spaces that occur between double pointed needles while knitting in the round. This happens all too often with a tight tension, when the yarn is held taut from one needle change to the next and has no chance to relax into its natural shape.
Here are three simple solutions to try-
Let the first stitch on each needle loosen up, and tighten only the second stitch.
Change the arrangement of stitches on the needles, every two or three rounds, so there is no consistent line between needles.
Take a break from stocking stitch and try a ribbed or textured sock pattern. This blurs the ladder line considerably.
After a few washings those sock ladders will be next to invisible.
If you have any helpful knitting tips to share with our readers, we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave a comment.
For sock knitters who enjoy the transitioning colourways of Noro and crave a bit of rustic charm, this diagonal rib pattern gives a subtle textured effect. Why not knit a pair to tuck in a special friend’s stocking this Christmas, or keep a pair for yourself in a secret cupboard to wear on weekends. Wherever they end up, they will be in demand.
Noro Silk Garden Socks
Size: Women’s Medium
Needles: 2.75 mm double pointed
Yarn: 100g ball Silk Garden Sock col # 268
Cast on 60 sts. Divide sts evenly onto 3 needles. Join in round. Work in K2/P2 ribbing for 1″. Cont in Pattern as follows-
Rnd 1-4: K1, *P2, K2*, rep *to*, end with, P2, K1
Rnd 5-8: *P2, K2*, rep *to*
Rnd 9-12: P1, *K2, P2*, rep *to*, end with, K2, P1
Rnd 13-16: *K2, P2*, rep *to*. Rep these 16 rnds until work meas 7″.
Make Heel: K across first 15 sts, turn, P across 30 sts, cont on these 30 sts only for Heel.
Row 1- *SL1, K1*, rep *to*
Row 2- SL1, P across row. Rep these 2 rows until heel meas 2.5″ ending with WS facing.
Shape Heel: P15, P2tog, P1, turn
Row 2- K3, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn
Row 3- P4, P2tog, P1, turn
Row 4- K5, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn
Row 5- P6, P2tog, P1, turn
Row 6- K7, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn
Row 7- P8, P2tog, P1, turn
Row 8- K9, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn
Row 9- P10, P2tog, P1, turn
Row 10- K11, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn
Row 11- P12, P2tog, P1, turn
Row 12- K13, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn
Row 13- P14, P2tog, P1, turn
Row 14- K15, SL, K1, PSSO, K1, turn = 16 sts
Shape Instep: With RS facing, pick up and K 15 sts along side of Heel, cont in Pattern St across 30 sts from holder, pick up and K 15 sts along opposite side of Heel, K across 8 sts. Divide sts- 23 sts on 1st needle, 30 sts on 2nd needle, 23 sts on 3rd needle = 76 sts.
Rnd 1- K to last 3 sts of 1st needle, K2tog, K1, work in Pattern across 2nd needle, K 1st st of 3rd needle, SL1, K1, PSSO, K to end of needle.
Rnd 2- Work in Pattern as set. Rep these 2 rnds until 60 sts remain. When Sock meas 7″ from Heel-
Shape Toe: Divide sts as follows- 15 sts on 1st needle, 30 sts on 2nd needle, 15 sts on 3rd needle.
Rnd 1- K to last 3 sts of 1st needle, K2tog, K1, K1 st on 2nd needle, SL1, K1, PSSO, K to last 3 sts of same needle, K2tog, K1, K 1st st on 3rd needle, SL1, K1, PSSO, K to end of rnd.
Rnd 2- K across all needles. Rep these 2 rnds until 20 sts remain. Cut yarn and graft sts together. Sew in ends.
