Magic Loop Cast On For Toe Up Socks
Knitting socks from the toe up can be a fun and rewarding project, but it can also be tricky to get started. One popular method for casting on for toe up socks is the Magic Loop method. This technique allows you to knit in the round using a single, long circular needle. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to successfully cast on for toe up socks using the Magic Loop method.
Materials
Before we begin, let’s go over the materials you’ll need to complete this project:
- Sock yarn
- A long circular needle (at least 32 inches long)
- Scissors
- Darning needle
Step 1: Making the Magic Loop
The first step in the Magic Loop cast on is to create a loop in the center of your circular needle. To do this, hold the needle with the cable pointing downwards and slide the stitches to the center of the cable. Then, fold the cable in half so that the two needle tips are side by side.
Step 2: Casting On
Now that you have your Magic Loop set up, it’s time to cast on. Start by making a slipknot and placing it on the right-hand needle. Then, insert the left-hand needle into the slipknot from front to back, making sure the working yarn is behind the needle. Take the working yarn and wrap it around the left-hand needle in a counterclockwise direction, then pull the loop through the slipknot and onto the left-hand needle. This is your first stitch.
Repeat this process until you have the desired number of stitches on your needle. Remember to keep the stitches loose so that they can easily slide along the cable of your circular needle.
Step 3: Dividing Stitches
Now that you’ve cast on your stitches, it’s time to divide them between the two needle tips. To do this, slide half of the stitches onto the right-hand needle and the other half onto the left-hand needle. Make sure that the stitches are not twisted around the cable.
Step 4: Joining in the Round
Now that your stitches are divided, it’s time to join in the round. Hold the needle tips with the stitches in your right hand and the cable in your left hand. Then, bring the right-hand needle over the top of the left-hand needle and insert it into the first stitch on the left-hand needle.
Wrap the working yarn around the right-hand needle and pull it through the stitch, then slide the stitch off the left-hand needle. This completes your first round of knitting.
Step 5: Knitting the Toe
Now that you’ve joined in the round, you can begin knitting the toe of your sock. Knit all stitches until you reach the end of the round, then continue knitting in the round for the desired length of your toe section.
Step 6: Increasing for the Foot
Once your toe section is complete, it’s time to start increasing for the foot. To do this, you’ll need to add one stitch on either side of the needle tips. This can be done by knitting into the front and back of the first and last stitch on each needle.
Continue knitting in the round until you reach the desired length for your foot section.
Step 7: Shaping the Heel
Now that your foot section is complete, it’s time to shape the heel. This can be done using a variety of techniques, but one popular method is the short row heel. This involves knitting back and forth across a portion of the stitches, wrapping and turning the yarn at each end, and gradually building up the depth of the heel.
Once your heel is complete, you can continue knitting in the round for the leg section of your sock.
Step 8: Binding Off
Once your sock is complete, it’s time to bind off. This can be done using any binding off technique you prefer, but a stretchy bind off is recommended to allow for comfortable wear.
Once your sock is bound off, weave in the ends using a darning needle and trim any excess yarn.
Conclusion
The Magic Loop cast on is a great technique for starting toe up socks, as it allows you to easily knit in the round using a single circular needle. By following these steps, you can successfully cast on for your own pair of toe up socks and enjoy the process of knitting them from start to finish.