The Knitter - UK (2019-08)

Here we’re going to explore a few

different methods, looking at how to work

them and the benefits of each one.

There’s a lot of debate about whether

or not you should work a sock cast-on

over two needles for added stretchiness.

Really, this is a personal decision. It is

true that working over two needles (or of

course you could just use larger needles

to cast on and then transfer the stitches)

won’t make the actual cast-on any

stretchier – it can’t give you any added

‘give’ between each stitch. However, it will

make each of the stitches on that first

cast-on round a bit bigger, and in my

experience that does help give the cast-on

a little more ease, as well as making it

easier to work into on the next round.

Give it a try and see what works for you.

LONG-TAIL CAST-ON

(KNIT AND PURL)

A long-tail cast-on is probably the most

commonly used for socks. It gives you

more stretchiness than a standard cast-on,

so it’s good for pulling over your heel while

still staying up once the sock is on. But

while most people know a simple long-tail

knit cast-on, a lot of knitters have never

worked a long-tail purl. It’s actually very

easy, looks much neater when used as a

base for ribbing, and – as with ribbing –

makes the cast-on even stretchier. We’ve

shown it here as a 1x1 rib, but obviously

STRETCHY YET clingy, pretty yet practical

• there are all sorts of properties you need
  from your sock cuff, and when you’re
  working top down it all starts with the
  cast-on. As with most choices in knitting,
  which to choose depends on a mixture of
  personal preference and overall design.
  If you’ve got a large instep, then
  stretchiness is probably the most
  important consideration. If you’re working
  a corrugated rib cuff, you might prefer
  two-colour designs. And if you’re planning
  on wearing your socks with a dress, or
  any context where they’re likely to draw
  attention, then you might choose a pretty
  picot technique, or even just a method that
  lines up the knits and purls perfectly.

CAST-ONS FOR

TOP-DOWN SOCKS

From long-tail to picot, Rhian Drinkwater explores

six different methods for casting on top-down socks

LONG TAIL CAST ON (KNIT & PURL) GERMAN TWISTED CAST-ON

The Knitter 64 Issue 141 Subscribe now at TheYarnLoop.com