Hello!
Today is our first day of the Beginner Sock Knitting Class for Cuff-Down Socks!
Every day for the next week I'll be sharing a tutorial filled with the how's and why's of constructing a sock from the cuff through the toes. At the end of this week-long class I'll provide you with the Basic Cuff-Down Sock pattern (with heel flap) that I've used when filming the lessons so that you can cast-on a set for yourself or a loved one.
If you were hoping to learn how to knit socks from the toes-up, I've got you covered. I'll be running another free sock class starting January 20th for my Basic Toe-Up Socks (with a short-row heel). Again, that class will walk through the construction and will be followed up with the release of the free pattern on January 27th, 2021.
For today's lesson we're starting off simply with a tutorial for casting-on your socks. In this video I've shared how to work the Long-Tail Cast-On, but if you prefer a stretchier cuff or if you're a tight knitter you might want to try out the German Twisted Cast-On instead.
I've posted the video below along with supplies used and written instructions. If you have any questions, you can always email me directly: shaina@yumiyarns.com
Have fun & happy knitting!
Shaina ^_^
PS: The yarn featured in this tutorial is from from Suburban Stitcher in the Clean Slate colorway. Suburban Stitcher is the featured indie dyer in January for the 2021 Indie Sock-a-Long, she generously provided yarn support for the January Socks and all of the Beginner Sock Knitting Classes being offered on YumiYarns.com in the month of January. You can find all of her beautiful colorways and bases on her site: SuburbanStitcher.com
Other Lessons in this Series:
Supplies:
Knitting Needles (size and preferred needle type to obtain gauge)
Stitch Marker (Optional)
Knitting the Long-Tail Cast-On
Step 1:
Measure out about 1 yd / 1 m of yarn. This is where your cast-on will start.
Step 2:
Using your left hand, grasp the yarn coming from the ball so that the ball end is coming from the bottom of your hand (near your pinky finger) and the tail end is coming from the top (near your index finger).
Step 3:
Continuing to hold the yarn as indicated in Step 3, open your index finger and thumb to create a "V" (or pretend you're playing cops and robbers & you're making a pretend gun).
Step 4:
Wrap the tail end of the yarn around the outside of your index finger and thumb, then grasp it with the other 3 fingers holding the ball end of the yarn. You will now have both the ball-end and the tail-end of yarn hanging below your pinky.
Step 5:
Lay your needle along the strand of yarn that stretches between your index finger and thumb. Using your index finger, wrap the yarn around the needle counter-clock-wise. This replaces the slip knot and removes the bump.
Step 6:
Making sure to keep your "knot" on the needle, pull it back a little bit so that the yarn/finger/needle positioning looks like a sling-shot.
Step 7:
Using the tip of the needle and beginning at the base of your thumb and moving towards the tip, insert the needle into the opening between the strands wrapping around your thumb.
Step 8:
Bring the needle over the strand running between your index finger and the needle and scoop up that strand. (Moving clock-wise around the strand.)
Step 9:
Bring your needle back down through the opening between the strands on your thumb. (Essentially going back down the same way you came up, but carrying the strand from your index finger along.)
Step 10:
Carefully slide your thumb out of the loop and tighten that strand without letting the loop onto the needle. (You want it to stay below the needle to keep the stitch in place.)
Step 11:
Put the strand of yarn back around your thumb the way it was before so your sling-shot is ready for another stitch.
Continuation:
Repeat Steps 7-11 until you have the required amount of stitches cast-on. (The beginning "slip-knot" counts as a stitch.)
That's it!
Once you have all your stitches cast-on, you can join to work in the round. I'll cover that in more detail in tomorrow's lesson. See you then!
More Sock Patterns:
$5.99 USD
(Linked to the YumiYarns shop)
$5.99 USD
(Linked to Ravelry)
$2.00 USD
(Linked to Ravelry)
Note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. These don't cost you any extra money, but if you make a purchase after clicking through one of my links I'll make a small profit from the sale & you will be helping my business. Thank you for your support!
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