Congratulations SheilaJoyce, but shame on you for not posting a picture for us to look at!

I am by no means an expert, but I have close to a dozen pair under my belt, so I will give you the small benefit of my limited experience.

In order to avoid that tiny hole at the gusset join here is what I do (it's awkard to explain and to do, but I hope to explain it sufficiently): I use a crochet hook to pull up a loop through the corner spot (before the first stitch you will pick up). Take the hook out of the loop and use it to go through the first spot you want to pick up a stitch. Then you maneuver backwards to that first loop and pull it up through the stitch. In essence you have pulled one loop through 2 stitches. Then proceed to picking up the rest of your stitches.

As for your second question, either way is correct. I have done both and both work. But I prefer to pick the stitches between the two threads. This makes for a smoother inside on the sock, which translates to a more comfortable sock. The first couple times I did it this way I thought the sock would stretch out in that spot, and it does look like it will as you start picking up the stitches. But once you've knitted a couple more rows you will see that it will be just fine.

Thanks, Donna. I do not have a digital camera, so no hope of a picture to show off. I might get my friend to post the musical afghan I made my son a few years ago as she took a picture of that afghan.

The way you described is how I picked up stitches, and I will try the looping the extra stitch over the first pick up. I understood your instructions. The "hole" was not bad, almost the same as a typical space between stitches, but I would rather err on the side of the additional stitch for fear the little hole may open up in the wearing of the sock or laundering it.

Instead of a 1 year old size, I ended up with a 5-7 year old size sock from a 1 year size pattern, it seemed to me. I made a 1 year size cardigan of the same DK yarn, so I thought I would use the extra yarn to make a sock style bootie in size 1.

I have now bought size 1 double pointed needles to have another go at it. I could not find such small dowel, or I would have made these needles too. Next time, I will locate some bamboo skewers and turn them into dp size 1s. I make a set of 5 dps from dowel for about $1. I bought 5 dps in size 1 in the cheapest wood/bamboo for $9 or $10. I am such a cheapskate, that it kills me to spend this kind of money for something I could make!

I know what you mean. The dpns in bamboo are so expensive, but I like them so much better than metal. I may give your idea a try.

Sheila,Congratulations on your first sock!

From experience, the bamboo meat skewers are a size 2 needle! I broke one of my set and that measured the same size. DH was kind enough to do the sanding for me so that it was done quickly enough for me to finish the sock. If I had to do the sanding, I would still be doing it! LOL

Tami