Hind's Feet

Jane spent a wintery afternoon sewing springy outfits for Mary & her doll..

We just got home from Bronwyn's One Week Well Baby Check... She weights 8 lbs 13 oz (3997g)... up 5 ounces from her birth weight! She got down to 8 lbs 1 oz before we left the hospital, so she's gained 12 ounces in just five days!!

Thursday morning I'm scheduled for my c-section. As soon as baby and I are settled in our room, I will be calling my friend, Melanie, with the stats... For those who are curious, she will post them at the Lots of Kids Friends blog, of which I am also a contributor... to which I have not...um.. yet.. contributed. :)

Here is one finished "newborn" size sock next to a size 6-12 month sock for comparison. CUFF: On size 3 double point needles, cast on 24 stitches. Divide evenly on to three needles, join and work in the round as follows: (K1, P1) around for 15 rounds. DIVIDE FOR HEEL: Transfer 12 stitches on first needle, and six stitches on the other two needles.Heel flap is knit back and forth on these 12 stitches for 12 rows. Odd rows: slip 1, knit across Even rows: slip 1, purl across TURN HEEL: Next row: slip 1, knit 7, k2 together, k1 turn work Next row: slip 1, p5, p2tog, p1 Next row: slip 1, k5, k2tog, k1 Next row: slip 1, p5, p2tog, p1 Next row: knit GUSSET: Pick up and knit 6 slipped stitches along the side of the heel flap, putting the first 2 on Needle 1. Knit across needles 2 and 3. Pick up and knit 6 slipped stitches along the other side of the heel flap, putting the last 2 on Needle 1. Next 4 rounds: Needle 1: K across Needle 2: K1, K2tog, Knit across Needle 3: K to last 3, SSK

If you can knit & purl, you can make these great socks in an evening or two. For many beginning knitters, turning the heel of a sock is the biggest challenge if you are a visual learner and find written patterns confusing. Amy at knittinghelp.com has a great video that shows you step by step how to turn the heel here under "Advanced Knitting Techniques". She uses this free pattern: North Country Cotton Baby Socks. For my socks (above) I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease® worsted weight yarn in Avocado (80% acrylic, 20% wool) on size 5 (US)/3.75mm double-point needles. I prefer bamboo or wood needles for knitting "in the round" as they grip the yarn a bit and stitches are less apt to slip off. They fit size 6-12 months. For the second pair of socks I used Lily® Sugar 'n Cream Stripes in Natural (100% Cotton) on size 4 (US)/3.5mm double-points.