How to Knit Size 8 Socks With Circular Needles
Several methods of sock knitting exist. You can do it on a loom. You can use double-pointed needles. You can use one, long circular needle. Or you can use two circular needles. In addition, you can knit top down or toe up. Sock knitters usually have their own preferences. Knitting socks with two circular needles might be preferred for someone who tends to drop stitches when using the more traditional double-pointed needles.
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Things You'll Need
- 400 yards of sock-weight yarn
- 2 16-inch circular needles, size 1
- darning needle
Instructions
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1
Cast on 12 stitches on each needle by using the “magic cast-on” technique in the Resources section. The stitches on one needle will be the sock’s sole; the stitches on the other will be the sock’s arch and instep. Knit all stitches, keeping 12 stitches on each needle.
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2
Knit one stitch, make one stitch left, knit until one stitch remains, make one stitch right and knit one stitch. To widen the toe and make room for the rest of the foot, you will gradually increase the number of stitches on each needle. See the Resources section if you need help increasing stitches. Proceed to the other needle and do the same. You should have 14 stitches on each needle. Continue to the next row, knitting all stitches on both needles.
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3
Repeat the two rows in Step 2 until there are 32 stitches on each needle. Knit all rows until the sock measures approximately 7 1/2 inches for a woman’s size 8 and 8 inches for a man’s size 8.
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4
Knit a short-row heel, which is worked on one needle only, as follows: Purl until there is one stitch left to work. Slip that stitch onto the right needle, wrap the working yarn from back to front and place the wrapped stitch back on the left needle. Turn your work and knit until the last stitch. Slip that stitch onto the right yarn, wrap the working yarn from front to back and place this wrapped stitch back on the left needle. Repeat these two rows until there are 12 stitches left to knit, not counting the wrapped stitches along each side of the heel. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of short rows, consult the Resources section for guidance.
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5
Purl to the end of the next row, up to the first wrapped stitch. Knit that stitch along with the wrap. Wrap the next wrapped stitch and turn. Knit to the first wrapped stitch; knit the first wrapped stitch along with its wrap. Wrap the next wrapped stitch and turn. Repeat these two rows until all wrapped stitches have been knit (or purled). For more information, consult the Resources section. From toe to heel, your sock should measure approximately 9 inches for a woman’s size 8 and 9 ½ inches for a man’s size 8. This is ½ inch shorter than the foot length for these sizes; the sock’s stretchiness accommodates for this.
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6
Knit all stitches on both needles until the sock measures 6 inches from the heel. Begin ribbing by alternating two knit stitches followed by two purl stitches all the way around the sock. Continue until the ribbing section is 1 inch wide. Bind off and use the darning needle to weave in loose ends.
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7
Repeat all steps to knit your second sock.
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1
References
Resources
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