two at a time

Friday, May 05, 2017

I have never tried magic loop, two at a time, socks.  Never.  Ever.
I was all thumbs getting started.  Made a mess, actually.
However, now that I've gotten a few rows in, it seems to be a little easier.
I wonder how many people consider this one of their favorite techniques for knitting socks.

You Might Also Like

36 comments

  1. I started with magic loop 2 at a time. Swore it was the only way I would ever knit socks. Now I do them concurrently on double points and enjoy it so much more. Easier to travel with, yarn never tangles, heels are super easy to do, and they seem to go faster because I am not pushing them around on the cable all the time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. marsha... the tangling of yarn. oy. i SO hear ya! xx

      Delete
  2. Maureen5/05/2017

    Hi, Leslie! I've knit socks on a single circular needle (one at a time) and love it! But I want to learn how to knit two at a time using two circular needles, and just purchased a "Craftsy" online class to learn how. Hopefully, the second sock syndrome will be a thing of the past, and I won't be dropping any more DPNs down the side of the passenger seat in the car! Now just to find some time! Good luck - please keep us posted on how you like this new method! Happy knitting! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh! i always seem to drop a double point on the airplane and have to ask fellow passengers for assistance retrieving it! :) not doing that again would be lovely! xx

      Delete
  3. You will love having 2 done at once!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Two at a time means they will be the same length, with the heels and toes in the same place! It does seem like it takes a looong time...but it's my go-to way of doing socks and mitts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mitts! i never thought about making mitts two at a time, sidney! i SO am trying toast this way! xx

      Delete
  5. I've never tried this. But maybe I should.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I decided that I was going to have to learn TAAT socks so my gauge would be he same on both socks. That's what I'm planning for my next project...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. so cool, amy! we will both be learning it around the same time! xx

      Delete
  7. Nancy Bertrand5/05/2017

    Magic Loop is the only way I ever have and ever will knit socks. It is also my preferred method for gloves/mittens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. love it, nancy. SO trying mitts the next time! xx

      Delete
  8. I knit on dpns. I tried two at a time with magicloop and it's so much slower. Way too much time sliding stitches around and not enough knitting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, bonnie... i can see the time spent sliding and turning... hoping this becomes faster soon! xx

      Delete
  9. I love magic loop. It's the only way I will knit socks. But you are right about getting started....that part is tedious but once your past that it's smooth sailing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. can't wait for the smooth sailing section. :) xx

      Delete
  10. I love two at a time on two circs - the Ante Gillingham variation of it. I use this for both toe up (not my preference usually) and top down socks. Almost no sliding involved and the two socks are identical.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hmmmm, debbi! definitely have to do some research for the antje gillingham technique! xx

      Delete
  11. I've never tried the magic loop method because I just couldn't convince myself it would be easier for me than my traditional dp method. I enjoyed reading your post and the earlier comments...and yet will probably stick with tradition. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes frances... so love hearing what everyone else prefers. well, i just love knitters! :) xx

      Delete
  12. For years I've been knitting my socks 2aat on 1 circular needle, toe-up, and I will never ever change that. It's perfect, the socks always are exactly the same, the toes feel perfect, the heels are very simple to knit and you never run out of yarn, because you can stop the cuffs when you are at the end of your yarn.
    After starting a couple of socks this way, you'll get comfortable beginning socks this way.
    Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you anja! this pair is cuff down... definitely will try toe up next time! xx

      Delete
  13. Anonymous5/07/2017

    It's the only way I knit socks now...love, love, love the toe up magic loop method...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. will definitely need to try the toe up method!

      Delete
  14. My favourite is the 9" circular. I still do the heel and toes with dpns.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. awe! the little tiny circular! so great that your hands can manage that. i cramp right up! :) xx

      Delete
  15. I love knitting 2 at a time - I do them from the toe up. I like the tutorial at http://heidibearscreative.blogspot.com/2011/10/two-socks-at-time-on-one-circular.html. I can add a pattern on the foot if I want, or knit plain vanilla.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much for sharing that tutorial! i will definitely need to give it a try!

      Delete
  16. Magic loop, YES! I love it. I hate using DPNs, they're always dropping and they are much harder to get started with. I don't believe for an instant that ML is slower than DPNs because of the sliding of the stitches -- you have to do the same thing with DPNs. But two at a time isn't for me. What I love about socks is their portability and two needles with two tangling balls takes that away for me. To each his own, but give me my 32 inch circular and one ball, please!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SO interesting. i will absolutely try one at a time if the two at a time proves to be too much tangling! xx

      Delete
  17. I love magic loop, but haven't tried two at a time! Maybe on the next pair.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. and i know you will soon have a next pair! xx

      Delete
  18. I've done it, and occasionally do sleeves two at a time, but find it aggravating and generally not worth it. One at a time works best for me. It helps that I don't have "second sock syndrome" or issues with gauge when making two of something. =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sleeves! i really should think about trying sleeves. thank you sami for chiming in! appreciate all the comments! xx

      Delete