How to cast on two-at-a-time socks on circular needles 🧦
Time to practice! Let’s knit, Beginner Sock Lover. In this new installment of our Guide to learn how to knit socks we teach several toe-up and cuff-down cast-on methods. Achieve seamless toes! We also tell you how to cast on two-at-a-time socks on circular needles. All with videos, tips, and tricks, and an even easier alternative to magic loop.
Toe-up cast-on
We recommend starting with toe-up socks on circular needles for 3 interesting reasons:
1. This type of construction is ideal to make the most of the ENTIRE ball if you wish. If you like, you can knit your socks as long as your yarn allows.
📌 If you knit high socks, keep in mind the diameter of your calves. Include some increases along the leg for the perfect fit.
2. Thanks to the cord of the circular needles, you can comfortably try on your socks as you go. Trying on your socks as you go provides an extra dose of confidence and motivation.
3. By starting your toe-up socks with Judy’s magic cast-on or the Turkish cast-on, you will achieve seamless toes.
Casting on stitches for toe-up socks
If you want to practice 2 very popular methods for casting on stitches for toe-up socks, take note of the following videos.
Judy’s Magic Cast-on 🧦
Create a soft and seamless transition at the toe of your socks with Judy’s magic cast-on. Start practicing and feel like a PRO Sock Lover!
Turkish Cast-on 🧦
The Turkish Cast-on creates an elastic and seamless base for the toe of your socks. Another advantage is that you’re wrapping directly with the working yarn, so you don’t need to leave a long tail to cast on stitches.
Casting on stitches for cuff-down socks
If you prefer to start your socks at the cuff, take a look at our videos to learn how to cast on stitches with some of the most common methods.
German Twisted Cast-on 🧦
The German Twisted Cast-on is a method for casting on stitches that creates a solid but flexible cast-on edge.
Long-tail cast-on 🧦
The long-tail cast-on is one of the most popular and versatile methods for starting a knitting project. Obviously also for socks!
Grafting 🧦
If you knit cuff-down socks, the most common technique to close the toe is grafting (previously called Kitchener’s stitch).
Learn how to make this invisible seamed bind-off by following the step-by-step video. You just need to thread your yarn onto a tapestry needle!
How to cast on socks two-at-a-time
We recommend knitting socks two-at-a-time to achieve the same result and, above all, to avoid Second Sock Syndrome. For this, you can use two balls; unravel one ball to make two smaller ones (one per sock); or knit one of the socks from the inside of the cake and the other from the outside.
📌 Second Sock Syndrome (SSS) is a humorous term used to describe the tendency sock knitters have to procrastinate or postpone finishing the second sock after completing the first. Behind Second Sock Syndrome lies a lack of novelty, motivation, or interest, as well as the temptation to cast on other more enticing projects.
Toe-up 🧦 Cast on stitches to knit two-at-a-time socks
Casting on two-at-a-time (TAAT) toe-up socks on circular needles can seem a bit complicated at the beginning, but with a little practice and patience, it becomes quite simple. Here’s a video to learn how to cast on and knit 2 socks at the same time using the magic loop technique.
Cuff-down 🧦 How to cast on stitches to knit two-at-a-time socks
You can follow this video to cast on and knit both two-at-a-time socks cuff-down and sleeves, mittens, leg warmers, etc.
💡 PRO TIP | Magic Loop Alternative
If you don’t dare to try the magic loop method, you can knit in the round using two sets of circular knitting needles in the same size.
Just divide your stitches between the two cords and knit half of the stitches comfortably with the corresponding needles. Practice this alternative to magic loop by following this step-by-step video.
📌 Always have colorful stitch markers handy to mark the beginning or end of the round.
Guide to learn how to knit socks
Do you dare to try knitting socks with our guide? Here is everything we’ve learned so far and what’s coming up:
- Sock yarns 🧦 How to choose the best yarn to knit socks with?
- How to measure your foot 🧦
- Gauge swatch in the round ➕ Steek technique 🧦
- Calculations to knit socks ➗ 🧦 Step-by-step formula
- How to cast on socks two-at-a-time 🧦 Seamless toe methods
- How to knit a sock heel 🧦 Videos with step-by-step instructions
- Sock project sheet 🧦 Free PDF
Put your sock questions, suggestions, and experiences in the comments, Katia Lover!
📌 Save this post in your favorites to keep it to hand for your future sock projects.
Use the hashtag #KatiaSockLovers
🤳 Lastly, share your progress with #KatiaSockLovers and remember to mention @katiayarns on Instagram and @katiacrafts on TikTok.
