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Cosplay on the Loom: Tabi Socks

I've been experimenting with knitting socks on the loom. I found a tutorial on sandal socks and have adapted it to suit the loom I have. I've been able to knit ONE sock so far and it does fit, so successful test! 

Supply List

  • In the Round Loom (suggested below) 
    • Sock Loom
    • CinDwood wedge Loom
    • KB Universal Loom
    • KB Flexee Skinny 
  • Loom Pick
  • Stitch Markers
  • Yarn Needle/Darning Needle
  • Tape Measure
  • Calculator 

Technique List

Measurements

For Tabi, these are the important-to-know measurements so you know how many pegs you'll need to cast on and how many rows you need to get Length.

  •  Circumferences
    • Ball of Foot
    • Big Toe
    • Group of Little toes
  • Lengths
    • Whole Foot
    • Base of Toe to Ankle bone (insole)
    • Length of Big Toe
    • Length of Index Toe
    • Length of Pinky Toe

More Detailed Explanations

Conversions 

Now you have your measurements, time to use maths to calculate how many pegs you'll need and how many rows you'll be knitting. For this project, you do need to calculate your gauge, or how many stitches per inch and how many rows per inch. For socks, you also calculate for ease, which means you knit smaller than your measurements by a bit and expect the sock to stretch. 

You can use an Interactive Sock Calculator or multiply your measurement x gauge x 10%-15% ease. (Acrylic blends usually use 10%, and wool blends may need to be a higher percentage.) 

Calculating Decreases

The method of turning the heel and shaping the little toes cap requires a certain number of decreases. For the heel and toes you will use the same decrease calculation. But the toes will only require you to decrease, not to increase again. Follow The Best Way to Loom Knit Socks That Fit to learn how to calculate the decrease for your foot. 

Basic Technique: Toe-up Knitting on Loom

  1. Cast on for the big toe and knit the length of the big toe.
  2. Cast on for the other toes and knit up to the pinky toe length then start decreasing.
  3. Move stitches so they are all on the same loom
  4. knit in the round for the length of the insole
  5. turn the heel
  6. knit the length of the ankle as tall as you like
  7. Finish with an inch or two of ribbing
  8. Bind off sock!



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