![20190722_105917.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdVGmfbL1dXc4ac6MYCFqvXmHvMbuBUuUVRbPzgHsMv3y/20190722_105917.jpg)
*My latest cuff down socks are going well. I'm especially pleased that I have matched the striping on both socks. I was impatient when I started these, so I just used my standard top-down pattern ... but I've been wanting to try toe-up socks for a long time.*

Like many knitters, I hate sewing, so I used the three-needle cast off (bind off) for the toe of these socks, rather than Kitchener stitch and grafting. The seam looks pretty smooth, but the proof will be in the wearing :) I knitted the heel flap, heel turn and gusset, probably the most complicated parts while we were driving to the seaside on Saturday.

But before I've even finished these, I'm anxious to start my next pair and I wanted these to be toe-up. I had already done quite a lot of research, including a wonderful blog where the knitter makes full length socks (about 100g in each one).

One of the challenges with self-striping yarns is getting each sock to start with the same pattern repeat. I think to get two balls of 50g will involve unwinding the first 50g, then rewinding the same 50g to arrive back at the same starting place. Even then, I think there may be a bit of waste. Has anyone else tried to solve this problem?

However, in my stash I found the two 50g balls of Drops wool that I bought last year at the Knitting and Stitching show. I've used two different cast on and increase methods to start each sock, and I'll be doing a fish lips heel in one and an afterthought heel in the other.

![20190722_105551.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQvoJ1dv4sQdAU6UcGY13qiPZRgb1StUx2ELkUYUCJLVt/20190722_105551.jpg)
*The left hand sock uses Turkish Cast On and k1, knit front and back (kfb) increase, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, k1, then repeat on the other side of the sock, followed by a knit row. Repeat until the required number of increases have been completed. The right hand sock uses Judy's Magic Cast On and k2, yarn over, knit to last 2 stitches, yarn over, k2. In the following knit row, knit into the back of the yarn over to prevent a hole forming.*

You can find an excellent tutorial for toe up socks and the [Turkish cast on](https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/turkish-cast-on-for-toe-up-socks-2116374), which provides an invisible seam for socks and other garments, at Spruce Crafts.

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNzJFuA63VkfxABKWiD8rhNjB73DQu2dZvpaJj2nGSmdf/image.png) 
*[Credit: Sarah E White](https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/turkish-cast-on-for-toe-up-socks-2116374) The opening stages of Turkish cast on - it looks a bit weird and you may find it difficult to manage the tension (next time, I will try bamboo needles rather than aluminium) - but it works a treat. It's not entirely invisible, though.*

<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdnr5nkDak7CudgLEsqgx3oyxwAAYGnWCsHqncNdqCksB/image.png)</center>
*[Source](http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html) It looks complicated and I had to keep switching back and forth between pictures to check which way to wrap the wool on each needle, but it's actually surprisingly easy and makes a lovely, truly invisible seam.*

I also like the yarn over increases because it's very easy to keep track of the increases - you're either creating a yarn over or you're knitting into the back of a yarn over in each row. I'm really trying for a round toe shape, rather than the Medieval toe-shape of the lefthand sock or the Nordic look of the righthand sock. I guess next, I would cast on fewer stitches to start, and spread out the increases a little more, rather than keeping them to the sides of the foot.

I haven't quite got as far as knitting both socks at the same time, but I will probably swap between each sock as critical points - when I have finished the toe shaping for example. I want to see if I can finish a pair of socks in a week. I have quite a lot of travelling this week, so that may be possible.

<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaqg3EHJku17kfCcAsqakDSLqeEDbq88zDWksFKTSBaDt/image.png)</center>
*[Source](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Knitted-Sock-Society-Designs-Techniques/dp/0956785182) I came across this book while I was searching for the right size needles. Most of my sock stash is self-striping, but I might try some of these patterns with the plainer wools, once I have mastered the basic sock construction.* 

### News About Creative Coin

Well, tribes are being created left right and centre and after Sports, Investing, Gaming and many others, there is finally one for creative people. It's still being set up, but you can find their front end at http://www.creativecoin.xyz, @isaria has written a post [explaining the type of creative content that the creative coin community accepts](https://www.creativecoin.xyz/creativecoin/@isaria/what-types-of-creative-content-does-the-creative-coin-community-accept) and I hope the #needleworkmonday community can find a home and grow here:

>The Creative Coin Community will accept the following forms of creativity:

>Original Music Recordings, Music Performance (Covers or Originals), Written Compositions in Sheet Music Form, Musical Instrument creation or repair, Music Theory, Music Journalism, Art, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Digital Art, Photography, Visual Arts, Creative Videos, Film, Motion Pictures, Claymation, Creative Writing, Fiction, Poetry, Short Stories, 50 Word Stories, Creative Non-Fiction, Crafting, Jewelry Making, Home Improvement Projects, Gardening, Sustainability Projects, Off-grid Projects, Cooking, Theatre, Acting, Dancing, Architecture, Graphic Design, Performance art, Costume and Fashion design , Makeup tutorials, comedy sketches, etc.

You may be eligible for some creative coins in the airdrop, and although [they are having a few problems with the air drop, I understand technical support is on the case](https://www.creativecoin.xyz/creativecoin/@isaria/quick-creative-coin-update):

*![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmfUpjbtGwhWM3ThQEsUBpnusYtvo63XHzi7396npK3M6M/image.png) 
[Source](https://www.creativecoin.xyz/creativecoin/@isaria/quick-creative-coin-update) Even if you do not receive coins in the airdrop, you can invest in some at steem-engine.com.*

Last week, #needleworkmonday celebrated it's [50th Curation](https://www.palnet.io/needleworkmonday/@needleworkmonday/needleworkmonday-s-50th-curation-celebration) and there's [a contest running through July](https://steemit.com/needleworkmonday/@needleworkmonday/reminder-special-announcements) for the community's second anniversary:

>We would like for you to come up with a needle craft that commemorates our 2nd Birthday! For example you can crochet, knit or sew a patchwork of a birthday cake with 2 years old. You can cross-stitch the #NeedleWorkMonday logo. You can create something that shows what #NeedleWorkMonday means to you e.g. crocheting a big love or something that symbolizes friendship. You could even add a poem to your entry. The possibilities are endless as long as you use a needle!

You can find full details of the contest in the [Announcement Post](https://steemit.com/needleworkmonday/@needleworkmonday/reminder-special-announcements). The deadline for entries is **Monday 29 July 2019**. 

<center>Thanks to @crosheille for initiating #needleworkmonday and to @crystalise, @marblely and @muscara for their support for the community.</center>