Knitting

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Pin of the Week: Two-at-a-Time Cast On

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two at a time cast onI know I’m not the only person who pins things on Pinterest and then never looks at them again. (Please tell me I’m not alone in this!) So to help encourage me to look back at those things that I’ve pinned I decided I would start sharing some of those pins with you.

(Incidentally, if you want to see my knitting pins, check out my Knitting pin board. Have a pin to share? Let me know!)

This week I’m looking back at a great tutorial from Knit Freedom about how to do a two-at-a-time cast on for the Magic Loop method. You’ve probably heard of doing two-at-a-time socks before, which is excellent because you don’t have to deal with second sock syndrome, and your socks will always come out the same length.

But it’s great to knit other tubes two at a time, too. Think about knitting two legwarmers to the same length, or avoiding having one sleeve of your sweater come out half an inch longer than the other.

This tutorial includes step-by-step written and photo instructions as well as a video, so no matter how you learn you can figure it out from this page. So great. And it reminds me I need to knit two-at-a-time more often!

[Photo via Knit Freedom.]

Comments

  3. Thanks for the pin, Sarah! I love knitting two-at-a-time, and I’m really happy you liked my tutorial enough to share it here on your blog!

  5. Thank you for this info. For me I hate doing the first sock, it feels like it take forever. the second is a breeze, I enjoy the journey of seeing it come together. Now it can only get better. Thanks again

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.