Next steps for 2s2c (updated with photos)

This post has been updated with more complete instructions and photos. --JK

Sunday Ilona, Jeni, and I cast on for our mini-sock-along. Spinnity is knitting along with us, but couldn't make it to SnB today. They got as far as finishing one toe and removing the provisional cast on. Very nice!

Here are the next steps :

With one toe fully on one circular, cast on the other toe on the other circular needle and knit it as you did the first toe.

After the second toe is finished, we need to get ready for the 2s2c method. You may need DPN's to help you transfer stitches from one needle to another. I'll refer to the two needles as A & B. Also, think of your socks having a bottom (sole) and a top (top of foot).

The goal is to have the top stitches of both socks on Needle A, and the sole stitches of both socks on Needle B. To do this, line up the sock toes side-by-side on a table. Orient each sock so the yarn going to the ball is on the right and the needles are on the top.

This is how the socks will be positioned when you're done transferring the stitches to their respective needles.

Take the stitches that are facing you (closest to you) and transfer them onto one circular needle, Needle A. Then, take the stitches closest to the table and transfer them to another circular needle, Needle B. The socks should now be side by side, each with the yarn going to the ball on the right hand side.

This is how your socks should look:


For the 2s2c method, you'll knit the top of Sock 1, then the top of the Sock 2, all on Needle A.

Push Sock 1 to the right ends of Needle A & Needle B.

Now pick up the free end of Needle A and insert in the first stitch as if to knit. It should look like this:


Knit 3 stitches on Needle A. Now pull the tip of Needle B to the right so the stitches on the back are on Needle B's cord instead of the end of the needle.

This will ease some of the tension and make it easier to knit on Needle A.



Finish knitting across Sock 1.

Your work should now look like this:


Now we're going to knit Sock 2. Push Sock 2 to the right end of Needle A and the left end of Needle B. It should look like this:


Pick up the free end of Needle A and knit a few stitches.


Once you've knit 3 stitches, pull the tip of Needle B to the left to ease the tension on the back stitches.


Knit to the end of the row.

Turn your work and repeat a gazillion times. We'll start the heel when the end of the sock is directly under your ankle bone.

Just a couple of tips--remember you're knitting on one needle at a time. If you pick up and knit with the wrong needle, use DPNs to move the stitches back to the correct needle. You can put fingernail polish on one needle to distinguish it from the other.

Clear as mud? If the description isn't clear, then I'll follow up on Wednesday at the knitting meetup.