Knit Socks - Betsy Lee Mccarthy [12]
Gusset stitches on two circulars. Using only the heel needle that has the stitches remaining after you've turned the heel, pick up and knit stitches up the right side of the heel flap. Then work across the instep stitches with the instep needle — the first time in a while that these rested stitches have had to work. Now we are ready for a potentially tricky bit: picking up gusset stitches down the left side of heel flap when using two circulars. What must be done seems counter-intuitive or at least highly unlikely. Your working instep needle is so handy and close to the top of the left side of the heel flap, as is the working yarn. However, the rule is that for heel stitches, only the heel needle must be used (see The Rule for Two Circular Needles, page 19). So, reach across the sock and bring the tip of the heel needle resting near the top of the right side of heel flap over and across the sock to the top of the left heel flap.
Picking up stitches on left side of heel using needle holding heel stitches
When stitches have been picked up along the left side of the flap, as was done for right side, and the working needle is now next to the stitches leftover from turning the heel, readjust the needles so that you can continue knitting around on the heel needle until you reach the beginning of the instep stitches. Generally, this is the beginning of a round for me. I find starting and ending socks on the right-hand side is easier because it avoids shifting stitches to center the round in the bottom of the heel/sole. There are times when I start and end a round in the center of the heel/sole; for example, when working patterns or stripes, or when it would be best to have any evidence of the beginning and ending hidden on the bottom of the foot for aesthetic reasons.
Gusset stitches on one long circular. Picking up and knitting gusset stitches on one long circular needle differs from two circular needles because one needle handles both instep and heel stitches. The needle tips alternate between working only heel stitches and then working only instep stitches. The tip of the needle that has just finished turning the heel continues to work to pick stitches up along the right side of the flap. That same tip will be used to continue working across the instep stitches. At this point, the needle tips point to the left, looking like a backward C. The nonworking needle tip can be used as a helper to pick up stitches on either side of the heel flap. Picking up stitches also can be done with one needle tip alone or with help from a crochet hook or double-point needle. Back the needle tip into the instep stitches to be ready to be worked and pull the tip of the needle with the stitches just worked out to creating a loop or ear on both sides of the instep (again, each ear is made up of about one-third of the cord).
Picking up stitches on left side of heel when using one circular needle
To pick up stitches down the left side of the heel flap, gently pull the needle tip away from the instep stitches and the other tip away from the heel stitches, once again creating loops on both sides of the work. Position one loop between the instep stitches and left side of the heel flap with the needle tip coming out from the heel-turning stitches. Pick up stitches along the left heel flap in same manner as done on right, using the non-working needle tip as a helper if desired. When all gusset stitches are picked up down the left side of the heel flap, back the nonworking needle tip into the heel stitches. With loops at each side of the instep, work around to the end of the heel stitches. Back the emptied tip into the instep stitches, in readiness for working the first round of gusset decreases, with the needle tip with the yarn attached pulled out and a loop at each side of the instep stitches.
Closing the Toe with Kitchener Stitch
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