DIY Network

Knit Shoe Knitting the body of the shoe. From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-309

The shoes have been prepared and are now ready for the addition of yarn.

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Casting On

1. With one skein of yarn and one shoe, turn shoe so you are facing back center seam. Cast on (more like picking up stitches) beginning at the first hole to the left of the center back seam.

Figure A

2. Insert crochet hook from outside shoe to inside. Yarn is waiting on inside the shoe to be grabbed by crochet hook and (a loop) pulled through (figure A).

3. Once first loop is pulled through, slide loop onto size 9 dpn. Pick-up next loop (to the left of first loop) with crochet hook and place on same dpn. (Note: Do not pull stitches too tight on dpns and put anywhere from 3-5 loops on each dpn).

4. Keep picking up as before until all hole have a loop coming out of them.

5. Cut yarn, leave a tail on inside of shoe (when "cast on" is completed you will have two tails on inside of shoe). We will tie in these tails later. Perform "cast on" procedure to other shoe using other ball of yarn. I use 12 dpns per shoe at cast on stage.

Knitting the Rows

Figure B

Using Size US E crochet hook and ball of yarn "knit" first row of stitches (pulling one stitch through with the crochet hook and immediately transferring it to a dpn) (figure B).

Note: The reason we are using a crochet hook for knitting the first few rows is because the stitches are very tight since they are lodged between hard dpns and a fairly unpliable shoe. The stitches will eventually loosen up around row three or four.

The following is very important: After the last stitch of that very first row is knit, cast on one stitch by making a firm backward loop onto the right-hand needle. This is your center back stitch. Perform knitting of first row on other shoe with other ball of yarn.

Row 2: Knit all existing stitches (do not make an increase as in row one).
Perform Row 2 on other shoe.

Figure C

Row 3: Knit all stitches around on this row, if stitches feel loose enough you can start using dpns for normal dpn circular knitting on this row and all future rows (figure C). Perform Row 3 on other shoe.
Row 4: Knit all stitches around. Perform Row 4 on other shoe.
Row 5: (Toe decreasing begins this row!) Knit all stitches around until you get to the two stitches before the center toe stitch.
SSK these two stitches together, Knit center toe stitch.
Knit the next two stitches together.
In simple knitting lingo: ssk, K1, k2tog.
Knit the rest of the row normally around.
When row is completed you will have 42 stitches on the needles.
Perform Row 5 on other shoe.

Rows 6-8 (both shoes): Knit around and decrease at the toe area as in Row 5. Before Row 9, tie-in ends (Four ends to tie in per shoe. The way you tie in cast-on ends is by weaving the tails in and out of the drilled holes, as in figure D).

Rows 9-15 (both shoes): Knit around and decrease at the toe area as in Row 5 (figure E).

Figure D

Figure E

Note: You will slowly and naturally use fewer and fewer dpns as the stitches become looser and fewer. When Row 15 is completed you will have 22 stitches on the needles.

Cut yarn, leave a tail and tie in that end.

Next: Fringed Hippie Belt

RESOURCES :

Brown Sheep Burly Spun yarn
Website: www.brownsheep.com

Capezio shoes
#550 (Jr. Footlight )
Website: www.capeziodance.com

GUESTS :

Tina Marrin
E-mail: tinamarrin@hotmail.com