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#1
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Provisional vs. figure-8 cast-on for toe-up socks
I have another newbie question for the experts... I really appreciate
all the advice I'm getting from this group, and I do intend to stick around and contribute what I've learned back to the group over time! I've been finding instructions for toe-up socks online, and it seems that there are essentially two ways to start the toe. The most common seems to be the provisional cast-on, where you knit a few rows flat and then pick up the provisional cast-on loops and start the circular knitting. The other is a figure-eight cast-on onto two needles, and then you start circular knitting around these loops immediately. Any opinions on which method results in better (more comfortable and durable) toes? Does it matter, or should I just choose whichever one seems easiest to me? Also, I intend to try using double-pointed needles at first, but then I'll also probably try the one-circular and two-circular methods, since those seem to be pretty popular these days. Any opinions on which way is easiest? Thanks! -- Randall |
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#2
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Hi Randall,
Welcome to the group! I don't recall seeing your name around here before but if I just missed it, please forgive me. I can't help you out on your first question because I've never done toe-up socks. You'll have to come back and let me know how they work out. As for the second question, I really like the Magic Loop method but I think I might be confused if I hadn't first done socks on dpns. Just because a lot of the patterns I've seen give instructions referring to needle 1, 2, 3, etc. So having done one pair on dpns, I know what they're talking about but if I had just jumped straight to magic loop I might have been lost. Just my two cents. Maybe someone who started out on Magic Loop can share their experience. Good luck! LauraJ "Randall Nortman" wrote in message ink.net... I have another newbie question for the experts... I really appreciate all the advice I'm getting from this group, and I do intend to stick around and contribute what I've learned back to the group over time! I've been finding instructions for toe-up socks online, and it seems that there are essentially two ways to start the toe. The most common seems to be the provisional cast-on, where you knit a few rows flat and then pick up the provisional cast-on loops and start the circular knitting. The other is a figure-eight cast-on onto two needles, and then you start circular knitting around these loops immediately. Any opinions on which method results in better (more comfortable and durable) toes? Does it matter, or should I just choose whichever one seems easiest to me? Also, I intend to try using double-pointed needles at first, but then I'll also probably try the one-circular and two-circular methods, since those seem to be pretty popular these days. Any opinions on which way is easiest? Thanks! -- Randall |
#3
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When I make toe-up socks (not often) I cast on and make a total of
four rows of stockinette. Next, pick up two stitches in each end and however many on the opposite long side (from the cast-on loops) necessary to equal the live stitches. Start increasing as usual to shape the toe. Alternate is to cast on the total number of stitches in waste yarn, make a short-row toe from these live stitches, 50% provisional cast-on is joined in a circle to half the toe stitches (must take 50% of the existing live stitches off the provisional cast-on, obviously), make the foot etc. Go back when everything else is done and graft the toe. |
#4
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"Randall Nortman" wrote in message ink.net... I have another newbie question for the experts... I really appreciate all the advice I'm getting from this group, and I do intend to stick around and contribute what I've learned back to the group over time! I've been finding instructions for toe-up socks online, and it seems that there are essentially two ways to start the toe. The most common seems to be the provisional cast-on, where you knit a few rows flat and then pick up the provisional cast-on loops and start the circular knitting. The other is a figure-eight cast-on onto two needles, and then you start circular knitting around these loops immediately. Any opinions on which method results in better (more comfortable and durable) toes? Does it matter, or should I just choose whichever one seems easiest to me? Also, I intend to try using double-pointed needles at first, but then I'll also probably try the one-circular and two-circular methods, since those seem to be pretty popular these days. Any opinions on which way is easiest? Thanks! -- Randall I haven't tried my hand at a provisional cast on. I LOVE the figure 8 cast on, especially doing two at once Magic-Loop method. I did start out making socks top down, one at a time, on dpns. However, I had graduated myself to doing 2 on 1 (Magic-Loop) before I tried toe-up. Does that make sense? HTH JJMolvik |
#5
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On 2005-02-25, JJMolvik wrote:
I haven't tried my hand at a provisional cast on. I LOVE the figure 8 cast on, especially doing two at once Magic-Loop method. I did start out making socks top down, one at a time, on dpns. However, I had graduated myself to doing 2 on 1 (Magic-Loop) before I tried toe-up. Does that make sense? Do you actually finish a pair faster doing both socks at once? It seems like you have to make the same number of stitches either way, so the total amount of time ought to be about the same. Is there some other advantage I'm missing? Thanks for the info. -- Randall |
#6
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What you avoid when making 2 socks at the same time (whatever method you
use) is the dreaded second sock syndrome. I have a big problem with this. You finish one sock and then have to do it all again, and I HATE doing the same thing twice straight away. Now don't get me wrong, if I like a pattern I'll do it ad nauseam, but NOT immediately! I do like a bit of variety in between. So the only way to get a pair of socks is to do both at the same time. And I actually prefer toe up socks using the figure 8 cast on (it always feels like magic to me) on 2 circular needles as described in Socks Soar on 2 Circular Needles. And that reminds me I must finish the socks I started for DSIL last winter, before it stops snowing HTH Love Christine "Randall Nortman" wrote in message ink.net... On 2005-02-25, JJMolvik wrote: I haven't tried my hand at a provisional cast on. I LOVE the figure 8 cast on, especially doing two at once Magic-Loop method. I did start out making socks top down, one at a time, on dpns. However, I had graduated myself to doing 2 on 1 (Magic-Loop) before I tried toe-up. Does that make sense? Do you actually finish a pair faster doing both socks at once? It seems like you have to make the same number of stitches either way, so the total amount of time ought to be about the same. Is there some other advantage I'm missing? Thanks for the info. -- Randall |
#7
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On 2005-02-25, JJMolvik wrote:
[...] I haven't tried my hand at a provisional cast on. I LOVE the figure 8 cast on, especially doing two at once Magic-Loop method. I did start out making socks top down, one at a time, on dpns. However, I had graduated myself to doing 2 on 1 (Magic-Loop) before I tried toe-up. Does that make sense? I just knitted a little "test toe" using figure-8 and the magic loop method on scrap worsted-weight yarn and #8 bamboo circulars. It was pretty confusing to figure out how to get started, and my stiches seemed to end up unworkably tight even if I was careful to knit them loosely. But with a little practice I seem to be doing a bit better, so I think I'm going to order some size 0 and size 1 Addi Turbo circulars and try my socks this way. (Though probably one sock at a time, because my head might explode if I'm trying to learn too much at once.) Thanks for your advice. -- Randall |
#8
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Good idea to do 1 at a time to start with, but do make sure you write down
or memorise (unlikely to remember without writing down in my case!) the numbers of rows in the foot and cuff so you don't end up with odd socks (don't ask me how I know that!!) Love Christine "Randall Nortman" wrote in message link.net... On 2005-02-25, JJMolvik wrote: [...] I haven't tried my hand at a provisional cast on. I LOVE the figure 8 cast on, especially doing two at once Magic-Loop method. I did start out making socks top down, one at a time, on dpns. However, I had graduated myself to doing 2 on 1 (Magic-Loop) before I tried toe-up. Does that make sense? I just knitted a little "test toe" using figure-8 and the magic loop method on scrap worsted-weight yarn and #8 bamboo circulars. It was pretty confusing to figure out how to get started, and my stiches seemed to end up unworkably tight even if I was careful to knit them loosely. But with a little practice I seem to be doing a bit better, so I think I'm going to order some size 0 and size 1 Addi Turbo circulars and try my socks this way. (Though probably one sock at a time, because my head might explode if I'm trying to learn too much at once.) Thanks for your advice. -- Randall |
#9
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Now _that_ might be one of the advantages of doing both socks at once, plus
more even gauge. (Could apply to anything of which there are two...don't ask how I know that one.) -- Carey in MA (stepping back and hushing up.....) " Christine in Kent, Garden of England" wrote in message ... Good idea to do 1 at a time to start with, but do make sure you write down or memorise (unlikely to remember without writing down in my case!) the numbers of rows in the foot and cuff so you don't end up with odd socks (don't ask me how I know that!!) Love Christine "Randall Nortman" wrote in message link.net... On 2005-02-25, JJMolvik wrote: [...] I haven't tried my hand at a provisional cast on. I LOVE the figure 8 cast on, especially doing two at once Magic-Loop method. I did start out making socks top down, one at a time, on dpns. However, I had graduated myself to doing 2 on 1 (Magic-Loop) before I tried toe-up. Does that make sense? I just knitted a little "test toe" using figure-8 and the magic loop method on scrap worsted-weight yarn and #8 bamboo circulars. It was pretty confusing to figure out how to get started, and my stiches seemed to end up unworkably tight even if I was careful to knit them loosely. But with a little practice I seem to be doing a bit better, so I think I'm going to order some size 0 and size 1 Addi Turbo circulars and try my socks this way. (Though probably one sock at a time, because my head might explode if I'm trying to learn too much at once.) Thanks for your advice. -- Randall |
#10
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Wooly wrote:
When I make toe-up socks (not often) I cast on and make a total of four rows of stockinette. Next, pick up two stitches in each end and however many on the opposite long side (from the cast-on loops) necessary to equal the live stitches. Start increasing as usual to shape the toe. Alternate is to cast on the total number of stitches in waste yarn, make a short-row toe from these live stitches, 50% provisional cast-on is joined in a circle to half the toe stitches (must take 50% of the existing live stitches off the provisional cast-on, obviously), make the foot etc. Go back when everything else is done and graft the toe. One of the things I love most about the toe-up socks is that with the right cast-on, the toe grafting (which I HATE) is eliminated. |
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