Socks are one of my favourite projects to knit.
- They are small and portable.
- They fit into a small bag.
- When you’ve made many, you no longer need to refer to a pattern.
- You can knit them in so many different ways.
- You can use a variety of weights of yarn.
- They can be made up of scrap yarns and look FABULOUS.
- You can never have too many socks.
- There is nothing like wearing hand knit socks, commercially made socks just do not measure up.
In Part 3 on my series of posts on Cast-ons, I want to share with you some of my favourite sock cast-ons. Socks require lots of stretch, nothing worse than having the cuff of your sock digging into your calf, especially, if like me, you suffer from swollen legs.
Top Down Cast-on – Longtail Cast On – revisited
I’m going to revisit the long tail Cast-on as detailed in Part One. This time I will show how I ensure a very stretchy cast on by increasing the space between each stitch as I add it.
Toe Up Cast-on – The Figure 8 Cast-On
This is a popular toe up cast-on. It’s easy to learn and fast to work. the cast-on plus knitting around on the cast-on completes the cast-on.
Toe Up Cast-on – Judy’s Magic Cast-On
My favourite toe up cast-on. It does take a little practice to master, but well worth the effort. It gives a seamless cast on for items knit in the round with an enclosed end. You do need to be able to “read” the direction of your stitches. Like the figure 8 cast-on the cast-on plus knitting around on the cast-on completes the cast-on.