Oh look. Cari’s knitting a sock. Yawn.
Wait…what’s that? Could it be? Why, yes, I do believe it is. She’s knitting two socks at once. One sock inside of the other, as a matter of fact.
She probably thinks we think she’s very clever, but anyone who’s read this article knows it’s actually pretty easy. And fun. Lots of fun.
*Cari pushes annoying blog narrator to the side and takes the mic herself, because sometimes you just have to go for that first-person narrative…*
So, yeah. Two socks at once. I somehow missed the double-knitting sock article when it first came out (was I the last one to read it? Is this very very old news?) but stumbled across it, surfing while nursing the other day. Which then led to an obsession with trying it for myself. I’d always known it was possible to knit one sock inside of the other–I just assumed it was possible but extremely hard. And it’s not hard at all. (Check back with me when it comes time to do the heels, though.)
As you can see, I’m using two different colorways of Koigu to keep things straight. Now that I’ve tried it, though, I can see that it’s actually quite clear which layer each stitch belongs to, so after I finish up the second sock for each of these current socks, I’ll next time just go ahead and make a matching pair at one time.
Cool, hunh? It’s probably slower than knitting each sock separately, what with all the moving back and forth of strand A, but it’s fun, so what the hell… I do knit for recreation, after all.
you are brilliant! I haven’t tried it because I thought I would get confused, but really, 2 colors sounds like the way to go while you get the hang of it!
Posted by: Miriam
I MUST learn how to do that! Thanks for the link! (And congrats for the Pushcart nomination, too!)
Posted by: Martha
So Anna Karenina of you…..I love it. Also – I have done more cardio in the past week than I have in the past 6 months, no fooling (V. embarrassing to admit).
Posted by: Juno
Also, I just went and read those instructions? The pictures one you’ve joined in the round make my head hurt a little. Are you sure that’s easy?
Posted by: Juno
I love it! I missed that article too, I’m glad you pointed it out!
Posted by: Kate
yes, DO get back to us when you get to the heels. I read the article also BUT THEN you have lots more experience . . . and skill . . . and knowledge . . . AND patience apparently than I. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!!
um, great idea to start out with two very different colorways EVEN to teach yourself.
Posted by: robin
you are brilliant! I haven’t tried it because I thought I would get confused, but really, 2 colors sounds like the way to go while you get the hang of it!
Posted by: Miriam
I MUST learn how to do that! Thanks for the link! (And congrats for the Pushcart nomination, too!)
Posted by: Martha
So Anna Karenina of you…..I love it. Also – I have done more cardio in the past week than I have in the past 6 months, no fooling (V. embarrassing to admit).
Posted by: Juno
Also, I just went and read those instructions? The pictures one you’ve joined in the round make my head hurt a little. Are you sure that’s easy?
Posted by: Juno
I love it! I missed that article too, I’m glad you pointed it out!
Posted by: Kate
yes, DO get back to us when you get to the heels. I read the article also BUT THEN you have lots more experience . . . and skill . . . and knowledge . . . AND patience apparently than I. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!!
um, great idea to start out with two very different colorways EVEN to teach yourself.
Posted by: robin
i’ve completely missed that article too. does indeed look extreme. i’m gearing up to try out two at once toe-up on two circs (mouthful!). then on to magic loop to see what the fuss is all about.
Posted by: k
It might take *you* longer that way. But as someone whose Second Sock Syndrome made the last pair take almost two years to finish, I’m thinking it might be a constructive approach for me. Slower but steady and done when done must beat whatever you’d call that debacle.
Posted by: Delf
I did two socks at once a few years ago, and found it to be unreasonably amusing. I did use the same colourway for both, and while it was easier to mess it up I only did so twice. I suggest pulling them apart every inch or so to make sure. =D The socks look beautiful (as does Thumper)!!
Posted by: Mouse
I hope you are wearing a helmet and kneepads for this extreme knitting manuveur!
Posted by: sarah
Dearie me. I’m still getting my head around vanilla magic loop! That looks soooo complicated (but then magic loop looked tricky too, and it isn’t so bad).
Posted by: Noo
I gotta see this in person. Sounds very cool.
Posted by: Cassie
I’ve been meaning to do that as well, but was concerned about getting the two layers confused. Glad to know it’s pretty clear. Can’t wait to hear the heel report. I was considering doing mine with an afterthought heel so I didn’t have to worry about it…
Posted by: Amy
i’ve completely missed that article too. does indeed look extreme. i’m gearing up to try out two at once toe-up on two circs (mouthful!). then on to magic loop to see what the fuss is all about.
Posted by: k
It might take *you* longer that way. But as someone whose Second Sock Syndrome made the last pair take almost two years to finish, I’m thinking it might be a constructive approach for me. Slower but steady and done when done must beat whatever you’d call that debacle.
Posted by: Delf
I did two socks at once a few years ago, and found it to be unreasonably amusing. I did use the same colourway for both, and while it was easier to mess it up I only did so twice. I suggest pulling them apart every inch or so to make sure. =D The socks look beautiful (as does Thumper)!!
Posted by: Mouse
I hope you are wearing a helmet and kneepads for this extreme knitting manuveur!
Posted by: sarah
Dearie me. I’m still getting my head around vanilla magic loop! That looks soooo complicated (but then magic loop looked tricky too, and it isn’t so bad).
Posted by: Noo
I gotta see this in person. Sounds very cool.
Posted by: Cassie
I’ve been meaning to do that as well, but was concerned about getting the two layers confused. Glad to know it’s pretty clear. Can’t wait to hear the heel report. I was considering doing mine with an afterthought heel so I didn’t have to worry about it…
Posted by: Amy
I was thinking of trying double-knitting too, but the thought of having it ruined by one missed stitch was a little too much to bear… I can’t wait to see how your socks turn out!
Posted by: Becka
Holy Crap! That is neat-o. I too missed that article. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I love that table.
Posted by: Kim P
I saw the article first time around but failed to check out her blog(s.) She works for a dictionary (sic) and is enormously funny — people actually write/call deMANDing she remove various words. Don’t miss it.
Posted by: rams
Wow! 2006 has been a sock kind of a year for me. I am really starting to appreciate how cool knitted socks are.
Posted by: Knittripps
It’s really easy? Honest? I haven’t even considered trying since I’m the sort of knitter that makes crazy mistakes that more experienced knitters deem impossible. It’s a gift. Did you make that table? It is so pretty.
Posted by: Jess
I did double knitting for a baby blanket (also from Knitty-Mrs Hoover’s baby blanket). Currently I’m doing fingerless mitts two at a time on a 40″ circular. They are side by side, not inside each other. The thumb gussets go all right, so I will do the next pair of socks this way. ( that might be awhile, I have 7 pairs of socks going now)
Posted by: pattie
I was thinking of trying double-knitting too, but the thought of having it ruined by one missed stitch was a little too much to bear… I can’t wait to see how your socks turn out!
Posted by: Becka
Holy Crap! That is neat-o. I too missed that article. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I love that table.
Posted by: Kim P
I saw the article first time around but failed to check out her blog(s.) She works for a dictionary (sic) and is enormously funny — people actually write/call deMANDing she remove various words. Don’t miss it.
Posted by: rams
Wow! 2006 has been a sock kind of a year for me. I am really starting to appreciate how cool knitted socks are.
Posted by: Knittripps
It’s really easy? Honest? I haven’t even considered trying since I’m the sort of knitter that makes crazy mistakes that more experienced knitters deem impossible. It’s a gift. Did you make that table? It is so pretty.
Posted by: Jess
I did double knitting for a baby blanket (also from Knitty-Mrs Hoover’s baby blanket). Currently I’m doing fingerless mitts two at a time on a 40″ circular. They are side by side, not inside each other. The thumb gussets go all right, so I will do the next pair of socks this way. ( that might be awhile, I have 7 pairs of socks going now)
Posted by: pattie
Cari’s socks are beautiful and inspiring and worth posting beautiful pictures of.
But Cari doesn’t usually talk about herself in the third person.
Thank-you for going boldly where I fear to tread. With your encouragement I may learn to take bigger risks in knitting and then into my larger life.
Posted by: Angie
Oh my….I went and read the article and then had to lie down with some chocolate nearby for a while. Too much for this easily confused knitter. You are amazing, though – I have no idea how you do everything you do, with a baby in the house! Of course it’s possible Thumper’s extreme cuteness acts as a motivating force….or maybe you’re just way more disciplined than I’ve ever dreamed of being. Congrats on the Pushcart nomination! Oh, and if you ever decide to auction off that table for your charity of choice (or Thumper’s college fund) I bet you’d make a bundle!
Posted by: Steph Bolinger
That is *completely* cool! And I love the pictures! 🙂
Posted by: Romi
I’ve read about this before the Knitty article and have been wanting to do it, too. I’ll watch you now.
PS: I know, I’m L.A.M.E.
Posted by: valentina
What!!! One inside the other!!!! Really?
Well heck… you learn something new every day!
Posted by: ms.dok
Cari’s socks are beautiful and inspiring and worth posting beautiful pictures of.
But Cari doesn’t usually talk about herself in the third person.
Thank-you for going boldly where I fear to tread. With your encouragement I may learn to take bigger risks in knitting and then into my larger life.
Posted by: Angie
Oh my….I went and read the article and then had to lie down with some chocolate nearby for a while. Too much for this easily confused knitter. You are amazing, though – I have no idea how you do everything you do, with a baby in the house! Of course it’s possible Thumper’s extreme cuteness acts as a motivating force….or maybe you’re just way more disciplined than I’ve ever dreamed of being. Congrats on the Pushcart nomination! Oh, and if you ever decide to auction off that table for your charity of choice (or Thumper’s college fund) I bet you’d make a bundle!
Posted by: Steph Bolinger
That is *completely* cool! And I love the pictures! 🙂
Posted by: Romi
I’ve read about this before the Knitty article and have been wanting to do it, too. I’ll watch you now.
PS: I know, I’m L.A.M.E.
Posted by: valentina
What!!! One inside the other!!!! Really?
Well heck… you learn something new every day!
Posted by: ms.dok