Frequently Asked Questions about
The Tongue River Farm Sock Collection
by Katherine Misegades

Most of the questions are about the non-stop heel that is used on the socks in this collection. The color pattern in the photo at the right defines the two main steps in knitting the heel — forming the gusset and turning the heel.

Forming the gusset — The measurement from A (ankle bone) to B (floor when standing) is usually 2" to 2.5" for an adult. The increases that form the gusset are added toward the heel. Generally, when stitches are on four sock needles, they are divided evenly on the needles. Starting at the back, the increases are added to needles 1 and 4. The front stitch count is kept the same (on needles 2 and 3). The increases are worked into the first stitch of needle 2 and the least stitch of needle 3 on every-other round.

Q: How do I work a lifted increase?
A: You may use any style of increase you prefer, but lifted increases create a smooth line along the instep. The right increase is worked between needles 1 & 2. The left increase is worked between needles 3 & 4.

RIGHT INCREASE: knit the first stitch on needle 2 onto needle 1. Pick up loop of stitch below the one just knit and knit a stitch to go on needle 2. These two new stitches may be with different colors to keep in pattern.

LEFT INCREASE: knit the loop below the last stitch on needle 3. With spare needle, knit into the actual last stitch on needle 3 so it goes onto needle 4.

Turning the heel — The chart at the right shows generally how the rows are worked. Note that the stitch count on the heel you are working is likely to be different than this chart. Starting at the back at the bottom of this chart,

• knit 2, SSK (left-leaning decrease), both colors of yarn to front (YTF), sl1, both colors of yarn to back (YTB), Turn.
• With inside facing you,slip wrapped st, purl 5, p2tog, YTB, sl1, YTF, TURN.
• slip wrapped st, knit 6, SSK, YTF, sl1, YTB, TURN.
• slip wrapped st, purl 7, p2tog, YTB, sl1, YTF, TURN.
• Continue in this manner until all except the last gusset increase is decreased. The last set of heel decreases are worked while knitting in the round to prevent a hole.

Q: How many stitches form the back of the heel when I start working back and forth?
A: There are as many decreases in the heel turn as there were increases in the gusset. This number is usually two or three less than the stitch count on needle 1. If there are 20 sts on needle one, there will be no more than 18 increases in the gusset. That means 2 sts will be at the back of the heel on needle 1 and 2 sts on needle 4 (total of 4 sts at the back of the heel).

This count is already figured out in the book, but if you are knitting a sock of your own design, you can figure this out by measuring and calculating. Here's how. When you have the cuff knit to the length you want it above the ankle bone, measure the depth from your ankle bone to the floor (about 2" to 2.5" above the floor). Measure that same length on the cuff and count how many rounds = the length. That is how many rounds you want in the length of the gusset. For example, 20 rounds = desired length. Next, divide that by 2 (increases are made every-other round). That would require 10 increases (and 10 decreases to work the heel turn). If there are 13 sts on needle 1 (and 13 on needle 4) as you start incerasing for the gusset, then there will be 3+3=6 sts forming the back of the heel. When you are ready to turn the heel, there will be 23 sts on needle 1 and 23 on needle 4.

Q: I am working the Fancy Checkerboard Sock, chart-section #5 on Page 5 and the stitch count doesn't come out right. Is there a chart error?
A: Yes. Hold the book sideways as you would to read the chart information. There are three columns of stitches on the far left of chart-section #5 that should be deleted from the chart.