purlJam

# BASIC MACHINE-KNIT CREW SOCKS

## MACHINE_SETUP

**Machine Configuration:**
- Standard gauge flat-bed knitting machine
- Main bed only (no ribber required for this beginner pattern)
- Needle arrangement: Use needles -25 to +25 (51 needles total)
- Carriage starting position: COL (Carriage on Left)
- Tension dial: Main yarn T6/T7
- Waste yarn tension: T10
- Row counter: Reset to RC000 at start of each section

**Initial Setup:**
- Thread carriage with waste yarn
- Position claw weights and cast-on comb
- Prepare ravel cord (cotton string, 100cm length)
- Have transfer tool and latch tool ready

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:**
- Main Color (MC): 100g worsted weight yarn (approximately 180m/200yds)
- Suggested fiber: Wool blend or cotton blend for durability
- Waste yarn: Contrasting color worsted weight, 20g

**Notions:**
- Ravel cord (cotton string)
- Claw weights
- Cast-on comb
- Transfer tool
- Latch tool
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Stitch markers (optional)

**Machine Requirements:**
- Standard gauge knitting machine
- Carriage with standard cam box
- Needle pusher (optional but helpful)

## GAUGE_AND_TENSION

**Gauge Swatch:**
- Cast on 30 stitches using waste yarn method
- Knit 40 rows at T6
- Steam lightly and measure

**Target Gauge:**
- 18 stitches = 10cm (4") in stockinette
- 24 rows = 10cm (4") in stockinette
- Adjust tension dial up or down to achieve gauge

**Finished Measurements:**
- Foot circumference: 20cm (8")
- Leg length: 15cm (6") from heel
- Foot length: 23cm (9") - adjust as needed

## RIBBED_BRIM

**Cast-On (RC000):**
- Using waste yarn at T10, cast on 46 stitches over needles -23 to +23
- Knit 6 rows waste yarn, carriage at COR
- Lay in ravel cord and knit 1 row
- Change to MC yarn, set tension to T6
- RC000, carriage at COL

**Mock Ribbing (RC000-020):**
- RC000-010: Knit 10 rows stockinette
- RC010: COL - Using transfer tool, transfer every 3rd stitch to adjacent needle, creating a 2x1 mock rib pattern
- Push empty needles out of work
- RC010-020: Knit 10 more rows
- RC020: Carriage at COR

**Cuff Completion:**
- Hang additional weights if needed for even tension
- Check that all stitches are knitting properly

## BODY_ROWS

**Leg Section (RC020-080):**
- RC020: COL - Return all needles to work position, redistributing stitches evenly
- Adjust back to 46 stitches across needles -23 to +23
- RC020-080: Knit 60 rows stockinette at T6
- RC080: Carriage at COR

**Pre-Heel Setup:**
- Check tension and adjust weights
- Note: Heel will be worked on center 23 stitches (needles -11 to +12)
- Mark these needles if helpful

**Heel Preparation (RC080-085):**
- RC080: COR - Push needles +13 to +23 and -12 to -23 out of work
- Working needles: -11 to +12 (24 needles)
- RC080-085: Knit 5 rows on heel stitches only
- RC085: Carriage at COL

## CROWN_SHAPING

**Heel Turn (RC085-095):**
- RC085: COL - Begin short row shaping
- Push needle +12 to hold, knit to left
- RC086: COR - Push needle -11 to hold, knit to right
- RC087: COL - Push needle +11 to hold, knit to left
- RC088: COR - Push needle -10 to hold, knit to right
- Continue this pattern, moving 1 needle to hold on each side every 2 rows
- RC095: Working on center 8 stitches only

**Heel Completion (RC095-105):**
- RC095: Begin returning needles to work
- RC096: COL - Return needle -10 to work, knit left
- RC097: COR - Return needle +11 to work, knit right
- Continue returning 1 needle each side every 2 rows
- RC105: All heel needles back in work, carriage at COL

**Foot Section (RC105-160):**
- RC105: Return all 46 needles to work
- Pick up stitches along heel sides using latch tool (approximately 3 stitches each side)
- Total working stitches: approximately 52
- RC105-160: Knit 55 rows for foot length
- RC160: Carriage at COR

## FINISHING

**Toe Shaping (RC160-175):**
- RC160: COR - Begin toe decreases
- Transfer needles -26 and -25 together, +25 and +24 together
- RC161-165: Knit 5 rows
- RC165: Transfer next pair of edge stitches together each side
- Repeat this process every 5 rows until 20 stitches remain
- RC175: Final row, carriage at COR

**Toe Closure:**
- Cut yarn leaving 50cm tail
- Using latch tool, draw yarn through all remaining stitches
- Pull tight to close toe
- Remove from machine

**Seaming:**
- Remove waste yarn and ravel cord from cast-on
- Using mattress stitch, seam the leg and foot
- Start from toe and work up to cuff
- Ensure heel seaming is secure

**Final Steps:**
- Weave in all loose ends
- Steam lightly, being careful not to over-press ribbing
- Lay flat to dry
- Try on and adjust fit if needed

**Blocking:**
- Pin sock to measurements if desired
- Steam again lightly
- Allow to dry completely before wearing

## ABBREVIATIONS

- **COL**: Carriage on Left
- **COR**: Carriage on Right
- **RC**: Row Counter
- **T**: Tension (followed by number, e.g., T6)
- **MC**: Main Color
- **cm**: centimeters
- **g**: grams
- **m**: meters
- **yds**: yards
- **St**: Stitch
- **WY**: Waste Yarn

**Machine Terms:**
- **Hold**: Push needle to hold position (H)
- **Work**: Return needle to work position (B)
- **Transfer**: Move stitch from one needle to another using transfer tool
- **Cast-on comb**: Metal comb used to weight cast-on edge
- **Ravel cord**: Temporary string for separating waste yarn from main knitting

**Pattern Notes:**
- Always move carriage slowly when needles are in hold position
- Check that all needles are properly in work before continuing
- If stitches drop, use latch tool to pick up immediately
- Steam blocking will improve final appearance and fit