Needed: stretchy cast on technique for top down sock

#1

I’m making my first pair of socks from Silver’s tutorial, and they are going great! I use a two-strand cast on for everything, but my cast on for these socks could be a little stretchier.
I recall seeing recommendations for sock cast ons on sites in the past, but never made note of them since I didn’t think I’d need them (silly me!). What type of cast ons do you experienced sock-knitters use?

#2

I normally use the long tail cast on & cast on loosely. I am about to make a pair of socks now that instruct the cast on to be done over 2 needles so that it will be loose; you can read instructions for this method here. I think this is a good idea…or, just increase the needle size for your cast on & then after your cast on you can change back to the needle size that is required for the sock. Most importantly…have fun :wink:

#3

I used that 2 needle cast on, with size #2 needles. I thought it would help me because I cast on and knit tightly. Its inconsistent looking. On the second sock, I just cast on the one needle, not too loose but not too tight. That edge looks much better.

Cindy :XX:

#4

I used that 2 needle cast on, with size #2 needles. I thought it would help me because I cast on and knit tightly. Its inconsistent looking. On the second sock, I just cast on the one needle, not too loose but not too tight. That edge looks much better.

Cindy :XX:

#5

Unless the pattern tells me to do otherwise, I use long-tail cast on. For socks I will use a needle one size larger, and then knit the stitches on to my “proper” dpns, to divide them up before joining the circle.

#6

Thanks for the ideas, folks! I’m sure they’ll help!

#7

supposedly the german twisted cast on is very stretchy. I haven’t tried it yet, but if you do, let us know the results.

Gladys new at knitting socks in Michigan

#8

Thanks, I’ll let you know about the German method!

#9

My latest favorite cast-on for top-down socks is the tubular cast-on. It looks fabulous and is exactly the right amount of stretchiness. It’s a teeny bit fussy at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s really easy. Here are a couple of links to teach you how:

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/FEATfall05TT.html.

http://yscmama.typepad.com/little_purl/2005/06/tubular_cast_on.html

Or google “tubular cast-on”.

Some tips I found somewhere that help a lot:

  • use 3 sizes larger needles for provisional caston and first rows then start the K1 P1 pickup row with correct size needles

  • you CAN do it in the round, you just need to K1 the pick up the first stitch as a purl from INSIDE the tube

#10

Wow, this is worth trying, too! I’m definitely going to need more sock yarn to try all these out!

#11

Sorry, one more idea. I am a very tight knitter. So tight that even using 2 sizes larger needles made it larger, but still not “stretchy”. It was creepy and ugly. The author of my sock book recommended, long tail cast on PLUS double stranded cast on. It worked!!! My cuff is perfect and “stretchy”. It worked so well, used the same size needles I am using for the socks. I am so proud of the first sock, I can’t believe I knitted it. And yes, this is my first pair. Everyone in this forum has been so helpful and supportive. And I can’t say enough about Sivers sock instructions. Her instructions and pictures literally helped me work through my fears regarding every “mysterious” aspect like heel turning, gussets.