Purlwise

Figure 8 Cast On

Here's what I did with the Buttons yarn using the Simple Baby Socks pattern in The Magic Loop booklet. I highly recommend this booklet if you'd like to learn how to knit socks with one circular from the cuff down and from the toe up.

These socks are knit from the toe, using a figure 8 cast on which can be a challenge to manage but  produces the best sock toe. Last week I tried starting these socks while riding the bus but gave up after several attempts. It's definitely a task that needs to be done in a comfortable environment.

Keep in mind that this cast on is not only great for socks, but can also be used for other circular items such as hats.

Here's how the cast on is started on two circular needles. The yarn is wound around two needle tips in a figure 8 fashion.

[Note: 4/9/2006 - I just noticed that this picture is wrong. The yarn end should start be under the lower needle (left side of photo) and then wrapped up over the upper needle. When I get a chance, I'll change the photo. Athough, I think it's still possible to wrap the needles this way. Just be sure not to twist stitches as you knit them.]

 

Latvian Thumbhole & Half Hitch Cast On

I've been diligently working on the left mitten and arrived at the point where the thumbhole should be. The round starts on the left side of the palm so the thumbhole is created while working on the last half of the stitches on the first needle (I'm using two circulars instead of double point needles).

On the first needle I knitted the first 25 stitches according to the chart (25% of the stitches on this needle minus plus 1). I then started the top of the hole by using a loop cast on to add 22 new stitches while still following the chart. Lizbeth Upitis calls this cast on a half hitch but I found a good illustration from Wonderful Things , which refers to it as a single cast on . After casting on the new stitches, I put the bottom 22 stitches on hold using a strand of cotton yarn. The remaining stitch is knit onto the left needle. Now I can continue knitting the mitten and save the thumb for later.

Purl Long Tail Cast On

I combine this cast on with the regular long tail cast on when doing knit 2, purl 2 ribbing. DnT has an animated version of the regular long tail cast on.

I first heard about this cast on in a sock knitting class and found references to it in "The Principles of Knitting" by June Hemmons Hiatt and "Latvian Dreams" by Joyce Williams.

Make a slip knot and place the loop on the needle. The strands are wound around the outside of the index finger and thumb.

Pick up the strand of yarn on the far side of the index finger, pulling it up and over the other one on the same finger and towards the first strand around the thumb.

This action will make the yarn around the index finger cross, forming a loop around the index finger.

When the needle is past the first strand around the thumb, dip under it to hook it on the needle. This strand will be looped on the needle from back to front.

Pull the needle back towards the index finger slipping it between the loop around the index finger. Carefully slip the strands off the index finger and the thumb.

Tighten the stitch by tugging on the loose ends.

Flip the needle and start on the knit side.