It's been a while since I pushed myself to learn a new technique. I kept hearing about using "Magic Loop" method for socks. I found a site that explained how to get started and hauled out my "Simply Sensational Socks" book and set to work on my prototype sock. It was really easy to get the hang of it and once I got the rhythm of the technique down it really went fast.
After starting the cuff I decided that I needed a little more tangible instructions so I picked up the Magic Loop booklet by Fiber Trends at Neighborhood Knits in Dearborn. They didn't have the size 2 Addi's that I needed to start another pair. Why not have 2 or 3 going at the same time? So I roped mom Larj into going out to Royal Oak to Ewe-nique Knits. Marilyn had the size needles that I needed and she also had a Magic Loop sock of her own that she was working up. Marilyn also showed me a different way to arrange the stitches to avoid having to place markers for decreases along the gusset. This made my day! I'm all about simplification whenever possible.
As you can see from this pic, the instep stitches are worked on one needle and the heel and both sides of the gusset are worked on the other. Decreases are made at either "corner" at the beginning/end of the gusset/heel needle.
k1, ssk at the beginning and k2 tog k1 at the end.
The decreases are worked every other round until there are an even number of stitches on each needle. No need to rearrange to do the body of the foot or toe decreases! Nifty!
12 comments:
Hmmm. I might have to eventually learn a new sock technique too. Heck, i'm still just making the basic K1P1 rib - cuff, stockinette sock. Yeah, i do need to branch out.
The pattern on the leg of your sock is pretty and makes me feel like a slacker. LOL!
~Suz~
Isn't Marilyn wonderful? The socks are gorgeous, that's a really nifty technique! I'm hoping to come to Sweetwaters either this Monday or the next, hope to meet you face-to-face soon!!!
Wow, great looking sock! You've been flying on it since I last saw you. Magic loop decreases sound the same as 2 circs, no markers needed, just do the decreases at the beginning and end of the heel needle. But only ONE needle required. Too cool, I'll have to try that and see if I like that better than 2 circs.
Have a great weekend!
Isn't Magic Loop method great? I never tried 2 circs. Once I learned that I could use one circular needle for such a wide variety of projects in the round (sleeves, socks, adult sweaters, it made no sense to get a whole bunch of circular needles. Now I have every size of long circular needles with no need to buy any more (unless one of my kids "borrows" one). Beautiful sock - love the color!
Wow! I have the magic loop booklet and have yet to try it, your socks are looking great!
They are lovely socks, the colour is beautiful. I am impressed with the magic loop. I have the book but have never got around to trying it out.
The pattern for the 8ply socks on my blog is based on Thuja which can be found at Knitty in their archives. I just alter the stitch amounts depending on the size I want to achieve as the pattern is 1 row knit, 1 row k3 p1.
I think there's a case of sock fever going around! I'm getting ready to cast on for pair #2. Also, I think I'm the only one who knits with a 12" circular. Will give Magic loop a whirl for kid socks.
LOVE, love, love Magic Loop. It's the only way I knit socks! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm looking forward to using my cycling socks for the first time today!
I like the look of that technique. I only use dpns for all my knitting, and do love knitting in the round. Thanks for the link
Those socks are beautiful! You obviously have the magic loop technique mastered! I use it some too (along with 5 dpns, 4dpns, and 2 circs--I like variety!).
Learning new techniques are always fun! That reminds me that I need to push myself to select a project that'll help me learn something new! :)
I just learned how to magic loop too! I'm not sure if I like it though. Maybe if I got some fancy sock yarn...
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