After my post last week about socks, in which I explained that getting socks that fit my feet and are the right length for my legs has been quite challenging, despite the fact that I have successfully completed lots of pairs of socks, I bring good news on the sock front (although this pair isn't for me). I am working on a pair of toe up socks.
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| the yellow does change like that - it's not just the photo - I think they had trouble with the dyeing process) |
I have never knitted toe-up socks before but plan them to be the central pattern of the workshop I am teaching in September so thought it was time to give them a go.
I tried a figure eight cast on - five attempts later, I still couldn't get it. I tried a provisional cast on using a crocheted chain - but I'd have to graft the toe and that seems rather pointless, doesn't it?
So I listened to my inner EZ - I unvented a cast on. I call it my two needle backward-loop-over-the-thumb cast on. It simply means that I used a simple looped cast on and put stitches on two needles alternatively. Deceptively simple and possible whether one uses dpns, two circulars or magic loop (all of which I have to master before September). This cast on (which I unvented) could be described as a figure 8 cast on with a twisted loop.
I tried a figure eight cast on - five attempts later, I still couldn't get it. I tried a provisional cast on using a crocheted chain - but I'd have to graft the toe and that seems rather pointless, doesn't it?
So I listened to my inner EZ - I unvented a cast on. I call it my two needle backward-loop-over-the-thumb cast on. It simply means that I used a simple looped cast on and put stitches on two needles alternatively. Deceptively simple and possible whether one uses dpns, two circulars or magic loop (all of which I have to master before September). This cast on (which I unvented) could be described as a figure 8 cast on with a twisted loop.
Now, I'm sure that when my Montse Stanley book arrives from England, this cast on will be in there.
But for now, I'm just chuffed with my own achievement (until I face the short row heels).
But for now, I'm just chuffed with my own achievement (until I face the short row heels).
that's the way - if something doesn't work fo you, figure out your own approach! Nice one!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Lynne on lateral thinking, good old Aussie ingenunity at its best :-)
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't already, try Judy's Magic Cast On for your next toe up, it's a really nice looking invisible cast on for toe up socks. And magic loop is great - it's my preferred method for toe up socks!
ReplyDeleteYour sock looks great so far!
Great idea-I do use the figure eight cast on but I think your idea would work wonderfully! I like the gradation of the yellows-very pretty!
ReplyDeleteGreat work sorting out a cast on you are happy with. If you are looking for an invisible one then I second Jane with the Judy's Magic cast on, it's like the reverse of kitchenering, completely invisible, even on the inside. Have only made toe ups twice but used it both times.
ReplyDelete