Monday, August 06, 2007

Narrow Toes

This is a toe from a pair of socks found on the net.

I just do not understand why anyone would knit this sort of toe. They don't fit, don't look good. They are knit toe up. They really need to be cast on much wider so they fit the foot.

What beats me, is that they are knit from well known designer patterns. I cannot understand why otherwise excellent patterns/socks are ruined in this way.

Am I missing something?

If you knit your toes this way and are happy with them, fine, I am not knocking anyone on a personal level.

I just don't get why a toe that doesn't fit or look good is followed by so many knitters.

The photo has been manipulated colour wise and cropped so the original is not recognisable.


8 comments:

Laura said...

I don't know why they would knit toes like that, although I would love to know how you do your toe up increases..hint, hint, hint.

T said...

My husband, sons & I all have round feet with squared off toes. Think of the old Flinstone cartoons. The type of toe shown here absolutely doesn't work for any of us. BUT, my sister, daughter in law to be and my other mother have those narrow lady-like feet and these toes really work for them. Most of the time I try to get a tracing of someone's foot to work from. This gives me a great idea of what to do with the toes as far as width and where to start the increases for the ankles (where the tracing of the foot narrows is where it generally starts). Anyway, I do like your blog and hope you get some gorgeous puppies!

Suna Kendall said...

Some of us are way to into following instructions. I quit doing that, since I have toes that look better in a flatter toed sock. (However, in a pattern with a new-to-me toe, I will follow instructions, just to see how it is supposed to look in the designer's mind, so I do have some socks with toes that aren't right for me--but I learned something with them.)

I increase on toe-up socks either using M1 (because mine look really nice) or the lifted increases that slant in different directions and more closely resemble slanted decreases. I also like to do short row toes with provisional case-on as an occasional diversion.

Oops. Another long comment; sorry. I just didn't want to post this on the sock email list.

CP Warner said...

My feet are actually shaped like this. Why? Bunions and bunionettes! I really should have them fixed one of these days, but then what would I do with my 50 pairs of pointy-toed socks?

I think start my toe-up socks with 16 stitches and increase up to 56.

I was never a one for high-heeled pointy-toe shoes, but I ended up with these weird feet. Go figure. My research tells me that flat feet and pronated ankles predispose a person to bunions. Oh, well. I know there are worse things to be stuck with than sore, ugly feet. The socks are a great comfort. :-)

steel breeze said...

My feet are kinda pointy - massive inherited toe joint, and a big toe that's heading towards the rest. Women's shoes not comfy, too narrow, only men's and trainers. Gee, thanks mum! So pointy-ones do fit me (my feet are pointed towards my big toe). But I can imagine they wouldn't suit most people!

C'mon Colin, how about posting your flat-toed sock pattern? With your favourite heel? I know I'd love to try it!! :)

Gillian said...

Terri has hit it on the head. We don't all have "regular" shaped toes. Mind you...what is "regular"
Cheers Gillian

Yarnhog said...

That toe would probably fit my very long and narrow feet perfectly. But most men need a broader, shallower toe.

broadcasting from a knitting parlour said...

Ah, pointy toes. In general, I'm in agreement...for myself, anyway. Toe up? Actually intentionally starting a sock that way? That really makes no sense - unless you're knitting for bunioned feet...but I can almost see that toe as a naturally occuring event in a top down sock...with a knitter not completely comfortable with grafting. It's sort of a "safe" resolution - leaving a space that won't be overstretched...and leaving toes to be free from a mess of knottiness or whatever. (I've seen some mangled toes in my day.)