Extreme Knitting: 2 Socks In 1

Have you seen this article in Knitty? In this absolutely fascinating article, Kory Stamper writes about literally knitting 2 socks in 1. Using the idea of Double Knitting, she explains that you can knit one sock INSIDE of another. Now, that's taking my pleasure of knitting two socks at the same time on a Magic Loop to a whole new level!

I've been wanting to give Kory's socks a try but it wasn't until this week that the knitting cosmos shifted and everything came together in a perfect fit!

First, I reviewed Kristin Nicholas' book - Kristen Knits.

Among her collection of wildly colorful projects, I realized that her Colorful Socks were made for Kory's 2 at Once method.

I struggled with Kory's cast-on instructions. I suspect it is because I'm not very good at thinking spatially. After an hour and a half, I finally got it!

I thought it might help if I shared my own photos and instructions for the double knit cast on of two socks simultaneously.

Kory says that the cast on is the most confusing part of the entire pattern. Well, if that's the case, I'm glad I've got it figured out!

Start  with a slip knot of each color of yarn.

The next step is very important for you to understand to "get" this unique cast-on method. Twist the top strand so that the bottom of the stitch is on the left side of the needle. From now on, you need to think of these two sides, or edges, of the needle as two seperate "areas."

See how I hold these stitches?

You are now going to use a cable cast-on to alternate adding one stitch to the "brown" side and one stitch on the "purple" side.

Start with the "brown" side by putting your right hand needle tip through the brown loop like a usual cable cast-on. 

Pull the yarn through and place the new loop onto your left hand needle.

Now you have the bottom of two "brown" stitches on the right side of your needle and one "purple" stitch on the left. Time to make a second "purple" stitch.

Twist, or spin, your group of stitches around the needle so that the "purple" stitch is on the right and the two "brown" stitches are on the left. The way to think about this for the rest of your casting on is that whichever group of stitches need to have a new stitch added, must be on the right side of your needle.

Your are going to repeat the cable cast-on maneuver with the "purple" yarn to make a second stitch. Then twist, or spin, the group and add a third "brown" stitch. Then, twist, or spin, and add a third "purple" stitch.

See how it works!! Two completely seperate sets of cast on stitches ready to be joined and knit as two completely seperate sock legs. Now I'm ready to continue on with my "socks" this weekend.

Comments

[Knitterliness]

Kelly, you couldn't have made it clearer. I was SO confused by this till I saw this post. Now I'm interested in trying it, too. BTW, LOVE your Podcast and LOVE your needles and yarn. Frequent buyer! Kindest regards, Roberta (Gilroy, CA)

Oh, good, Roberta!!I was very frustrated but now that I've gotten the idea, it seems pretty straight forward.

Kelley

[Liz]

Kelly, Thank you for sharing this information! I've never heard of knitting socks like this, but now I'm intrigued and am going to have to give it a try. Thanks again for bringing this knowledge to our attention.

[Erica]

How cool! I hadn't gotten over to knitty yet for this issue, but I'm going to have to go check it out, and give this a try! Thanks for pointing it out. =)

[KSee]

thanks for sharing. I can't wait to see the progress. I'm working in magic loop for the first time and enjoying it. I skip learning on dpn for socks and this might be the ticket to do two at once.

[Cynthia]

Wow-I am always amazed at the inventiveness of knitters! The first time I knit with EZ to get a 2 sided blanket-I was amazed-this has taken it to a whole new level! Thanks for making it so clear and do-able! Keep us posted on the socks that result!

[Lizzy]

That looks awesome - good luck!

[Denna]

Ok, I understand the cast on, but now when you actually knit the socks do you knit a brown stitch then a purple stitch then a brown stitch etc.? It seems like this having to switch colors on every stitch would add a lot of time to making the socks, at least for those of us that throw rather than pick. I guess I don't see the reason to do this other than to force myself to do the second sock! It IS a very cool technique though, reminds me of the Mobius scarf cast on--THAT took some figuring out too! I love your yarns, needles and site, and now discover your blog! How fun! Keep up the good work!

[Jenni]

WOW! That is an interesting idea. I always knit one sock looser than the other. And I know you are supposed to switch back and forth but I never do that. Thank's for the information.

[Stasia]

Thank you for simplifying this technique. I took one peek at the Knitty design and got so freaked out that I closed the browser window. Your tips and pics make it actually seem do-able.

Happy holidays to you and Bob and the lovely Xena!

[Joy]

Thank you so much for the pics! That really helps clear it up. I can't wait to share this with my avid-sock-knitting friend.

[Alyssa]

I dont think I'm ready for knitting two socks at once. I think there's too much room for error on my part. But it is a neat technic.

I also wanted to say I love your podcast. Its very informative and you have such a soothing voice.

Also, I noticed that you like mystery books/audio books. Check out Kerry Greewood's Phryne Fisher series. I love them. There is only one available on audiobook but the books themselves are great. They're quick but interesting.

[Sarah]

I will definitely have to come back to this when my brain is less addled.

[dawn]

OK, after reviewing Kelley's pics and the article, I don't know if I would try this technique on DPN's (altho I really miss 'em). I just don't have the stomach for punishment. I've been using two circs, knitting a tube straight down to the toe, then do the toe and use an EZ trick--the afterthought heel--to finish the socks.

But...

What if you tried combining the DK technique with this method? You'd be knitting FOUR SOCKS AT ONCE! Without turning any heels. Although you'd have to pull the whole thing off and do four afterthought heels once you were done. Don't know if I have the stones to try that one...but for your next knitting party trick...or socks for soldiers...might be worth a try!

[dawn]

PS--You could cut down the tangle factor by using only two balls of yarn--pulling from the outside AND inside of each ball. How you would do colorwork, I just don't know. My brain just quit..
:}

[Beverly]

Wow! Wonderful photo tutorial of the cast on. Now, if only you would do the same for the actual knitting of the socks...nervy of me to ask? sorry, but I am spatially challenged to the EXtreme. Love your blog :)

[gratisprover parfym]

Ny teknik vxer hastigt drtill om du mste hlla jmna spr med vrlden mste man stadkomma sig uppdaterad om everything.
gratis bläckpatron
Gratis bcker, toner, prylar med ven pengar r tillgngliga fr alla ytterligare envar nr som helst p day.


Detta r ett prima hut fr tillverkarna att uppdriva populariteten av deras produkter drtill r en beprvad drtill kraftigt verkande marknadsfring strategy.
erbjudande spa
Med internet kan du tjna pengar frn ditt hem.