Toe up socks? Maybe it's not for me *sigh*

[TheDishclothQueen]

thanks for the responses.  i'll give it a go and see what happens.  the biggest part i'm confused about is this:

Begin knitting circularly.  Round 1: Make 1 stitch at the beginning of the round, knit 4.

i'm not sure i get how i m1 at the beginning of a round that isn't in the round yet, but i should probably just try it and see.  It would make much more sense if I was suppsed to knit a stitch first.

i've got oodles of fantastic sock yarn (lorna's, vesper, sunshine) and *still* haven't knit socks yet!  part of the problem is i have tiny feet (size 6-6.5M) and i hate baggy droopy socks.  most of the patterns out there seem written for size 8 or larger.  (although I hear the jaywalkers are a little more snug than most)  the couple attempts i made at top down got ripped out before they were finished for being too droopy, plus i like the diagonal heel rather than that heel-flap-thingy.

If it makes it easier for you, knit a stitch first, then do your M1.  I have a hard time believing that it's going to make a huge difference in the broad scheme of the sock.  If, by some bizarre twist of fate, it doesn't work, then just knit into the front and back of the first stitch.  It's probably not the M1 they want, but again, in the broad scheme of things, it's not going to make a huge difference.  Once you get it figured out and understand the basic concept, then you either rip it out and do it the "right" way or just do it the "right" way on your next pair of socks.

As for your feet....I have the same problem.  I wear a size 7-8, which I guess is normal, but I hate droopy socks.  I prefer my socks to be knit on 56-60 sts.  For most patterns, you can take out one or two pattern repeats and make it work.  (And on the other hand, there's some patterns that it just won't work on.  I tell myself that those patterns are ugly anyway.)

Good luck!

PS-->  The "diagonal" heel that prefer is a short-row heel.  Which means you're going to have to come to terms with those short-rows one way or another!

[m*babylon]

PS-->  The "diagonal" heel that prefer is a short-row heel.  Which means you're going to have to come to terms with those short-rows one way or another!

thanks!  i'm probably just over-thinking it.  i've often found if i just suck it up and try it, it usually works out just fine, i'm just nervous about casting on AGAIN for a sock and having it come out wrong.   and i *adore* short rows!  the first time i tried it (on fiber trends felted clogs) i thought it was the coolest thing since computers! (sliced bread has been a little overrated for a while now ;])  what i don't like is that flat slip-stitch heel flap.  it looks boxy and weird to me.  the short row heel looks more streamlined.

thanks again everyone!  i'll let you know if i run into any problems.
a*