Toe Up on 2 circs

Warning! Picture heavy post ahead!

A sweet blogger sent me an email last week asking if I could help her with starting 2 toe up socks on 2 circs. Due to my head cold last week I felt that I did not help her as much as I could. So I put together a tutorial of how I would start 2 toe up socks on 2 circs. I don't care much for using the 2 circ method and I'm not highly enamored with the standard methods of starting a toe up sock. But I will answer her question using the method that I'm most comfortable with. Please note that I primarily use 2 methods to start my socks. The first is the 8 point increase toe, known as the rounded toe and the other is a wide toe. It mimics the appearance of the standard wide toe and really does fool even the most experienced knitter into thinking that it was knit cuff down.

This tutorial will demonstrate the makings of a standard wide toe. This method can be used for the die hard DPN users as well as the 2 circ lovers or those who prefer using the Magic Loop method. You will also find a small tutorial on how the make a lifted increase. Written instructions can be found on my side bar.

I will start each toe independently and then transfer the baby toes to the circs. Trust me on this - it is easier.

Let get started.

Cast on 8 stitches using a provisional cast on method. (The number of stitches may vary, usually it is the total of 1 inch worth of stitches, depending on your gague.) I make a slip knot with the waste cord and the yarn together. I will not knit the slip knot because I use this as an anchor. I'll drop it after I've knit my first row.

Knit 7 rows and stop after you have knitted the 7th row. It should look like this:

(This is needle 1 (N1) Place a stitch marker on this needle to remind you that this is Needle 1 and the starting point of each round.)

Transfer the stitches on the waste cord to a spare needle correcting the stitch mounts as you go. This will be needle 3 (N3).

Now it is time to pick up stitches on both sides of the rectangle.

N1 will be on the right with the knit side facing up. Now pick up 4 stitches on this side with a spare needle. From here on this will be needle 2 (N2).

Knit across the next needle (N3).

Pick up 4 stitches on the side with a spare needle. This is needle 4 (N4). When you are done it should look like this:

Knit across N1.

Knit the stitches on N2 through the back. It will prevent holes.

Knit across N3.

Knit the stitches on N4 through the back. It will prevent holes.

You should be back at N1.

Knit the next 2 rounds. Starting at N1 ending at N4.

Now you will start the increases at the first and last stitch of N1and N3, using a lifted increase method. Make a right lifted increase for the first stitch and left lifted increase for the last stitch.

Knit across N2.

You are now at N3. Increase the first and last stitch of N3. Just like N1.

Knit across N4.

Next round: Knit all the way around. Starting at N1 and finish at N4.

Knit another increase round and 1 plain round. Ending at N4. Put this little toe aside for just a bit.

Start the second toe on new needles. Following the directions above.

Transferring to the circs.

When you have completed the 2nd toe, you will then transfer both tiny toes onto the circular needles. You will need 8 stitch markers. 4 for each toe. One should be different to indicate the beginning of a round and the front of the sock.

You will place half of the stitches on the first circular needle and the other half on the 2nd circular needle.  If you prefer the Magic Loop method you will only transfer 1 toe to 1 needle and knit accordingly.

For the front:

Slip the first 2 stitches from N4 onto the circular needle. Place a marker here. Then pass the stitches from N1 onto the circ. Place a marker here.  Now pass 2 stitches from the side stitches from N2. All the front stitches have been transfered. Repeat this for the second toe transferring it to the circular needle.

Now repeat this process for back of the toe using a 2nd needle. When you are done it should look like this:

Begin working with 2 circs.

You can now begin working with 2 circs. You stopped on a plain round so your next round will be increase row.

On the front. Knit the 2 stitches on the right side of the right marker. Pass the marker. Make a right lifted increase. Knit all the way to left marker and make a left lifted increase. Pass the marker. Knit the next 2 stitches. 

Repeat this process on the next toe. Turn your sock. Do the same for the back of the toe. Turn, you will now be at the front of the socks again.

Your next round will be a plain knit round.

Continue the process of 1 increase round and 1 plain round until you have the amount of stitches that you need for the sock. Ending on a plain knit round.

This is what the toe will look like after all the increases are done.

At this point you may start your instep pattern or continue to work in stockinette stitch to the heel turn.

Here is a small tutorial to demonstrate the right and left lifted increase.

The right side lifted increase.

Insert your right needle from the back into the stitch below on the right side of the stitch. Place it on your left needle and knit it.

The left side lifted increase.

Insert your left needle from the back into the stitch below on the left side of the stitch. Knit it through the back.

Now if you want to use DPN's you will need to rearrange your stitches. Each needle will hold 2 of the side stitches from N2 and N4. And half of the stitches from N1 and N3. Build the toe in the same manner. 1increase round and 1 plain round. Easy Peasy.

I do hope this helps.

TTFN, Abigail

P.S. It take a whole lot longer to say it than it does to actually do it. For which I am thankful....hehehe.

Comments

[Carrie]

This is totally AWESOME!!!! Where oh where were you when I was crying in my mohair trying to Git r started????
Much appreciated!!!

[Charity]

This is a great tutorial, thanks so much! I've been wanting to try toe up socks. :0)

[Kat with a K]

Thanks for the great tutorial!

[charm]

Thanks for posting the tutorial. I'm printing it out for future use! BTW: who is the woman in red who recently appeared under "50 Things"? It's a major difference from the last woman who was there!!

[AJ]

Wow. Just wow!

[kat]

wow that must have taken a ton of work to write out..

[aija]

Great tutorial, thanks for taking the time! :)

[Beth]

What a great tutorial! I really want to learn to knit socks toe-up and this looks so much easier than the instructions in the book I was trying to follow. Thanks!

[Carrie K]

I'm sure that's an amazingly helpful tutorial,but all I can do in my present idiot sock making mode is gape in wonder.

Awesome!

[La Verna]

Thanks!You're such a sweetie for doing this.

[Tiffany]

Okay so I must admit I skipped through the instructions for now but I am very thankful you wrote them out for when I need them. :)