How to Knit Socks in 7 Stages - Stage 4 - Shaping the Gusset, by Little Green Shed Creative on YouTube. 14 min 47 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 47 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Work the heel turn as your pattern directs and stop with the heel cup complete. Keep the right number of stitches on the needle.
Pick up and knit one stitch in each slipped stitch along the first side of the heel flap. Give the yarn a firm tug after the first stitch.
Place a marker, knit across the instep stitches, then place a second marker. These stitches form the top of the foot.
Pick up and knit the same number of stitches along the second heel flap edge. Knit half the heel stitches onto this needle.
Decrease round: knit to 3 stitches before the marker, k2tog, k1. Knit the instep. Then k1, ssk and knit to the end.
Next round: knit every stitch with no decreases. This plain round stops the gusset pulling in too fast.
Repeat the decrease round and the plain round until your total stitch count matches the number from the leg.
Try the sock on and check the fit across the instep. Then carry on with the foot section of your pattern.
Tips and common mistakes
Pick up stitches through both legs of each edge stitch for a firmer, neater gusset.
Small holes at the gusset corners are common. Close them later with the yarn tail.
Count your stitches after every decrease round so you know when to stop.
If the gusset feels tight, check that you picked up enough stitches along the heel flap.
Questions
How many stitches should I pick up for the gusset?
Usually one stitch for each slipped stitch along the heel flap edge. Your pattern will give the exact number, often half the number of heel flap rows.
Why do I get holes where the gusset meets the heel?
The gaps come from loose pickups and slack yarn. Pick up through both legs of the edge stitch and tug the yarn firmly after the first stitch.
How do I know when to stop decreasing?
Stop when the total number of stitches on your needles matches the stitch count you had before you started the heel.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
