I’m not very precise with anything I do. I don’t measure most things when I’m cooking. I don’t count the rows on socks. Probably never do I make two socks that are exactly the same size. Knitting two socks at a time solves that problem and, in theory, they should both be perfectly equal. When doing two at a time, I wind the skein into a ball/cake with the ball winder. Then I weigh the cake. Then I start winding off it into a second cake, weighing the original cake til it’s about 1/2 the size it started, cut the yarn, then I’ll go ahead and wind the rest of the ball into a second cake, just to be sure the twist is going the same on both skeins.
There are several ways to knit two at a time.
- Using double point needles (dpns), knit a row on one sock, knit a row on the other sock. You have two separate socks going.
- Using two sets of circular needles, usually one is different from the other so you know that when you finish with the “blue” needle, you start using the “red” needle.
- Using one long circular needle.
I’ve tried the first two methods and wasn’t thrilled with either but wanted to try two at a time with one long circular needle so I’m doing that with the socks I’m working on now.
Two at a Time
This method is the easiest! I got started using Very Pink’s video. I did not buy the pattern – just watched the free video. This method is so simple. Instead of having four points (as when using 2 sets of circular needles), you have the regular two points. I’m not getting nearly as tangled with my two balls of yarn.
I think I may have found my new favorite method of knitting socks. I cast these on this morning and already have 7″ of the leg done . . on both socks! It helps that I’m using worsted weight yarn but I’m really impressed with this two at a time method.
Judy D in WA says
I haven’t tried using 1 circ but I think I might try it. I started using 2 circs when I knitting in the passenger seat and kept dropping a needle and needed a solution to that annoying problem. I love 2 at a time, when i is done so is the other if you stitch them up right away. 😉
Joyce in Oregon says
Judy, that’s the way I learned to knit toe-up socks… I used a book by Melissa Morgan-Oakes called Toe Up 2 at a Tme Socks and highly recommend it for visual learners. I got my first one from our library then bought my own because every time I stop knitting socks for a while I go back and re-read a couple of pages to get me started again. I’ve got the sections tabbed for each reference and there are 15 patterns in the book as well. Great job!
Mary says
I prefer town on one circular. Way easier for me and no dreaded second sock syndrome.
Nelle Coursey says
This is a great idea, but should I start with the double pointed needles so I will know what the heck I am doing??
Joyce says
I have done a couple of pairs two at a time, and I always get frustrated, because for some reason the two skeins always get all tangled together. Eventually I get frustrated enough that I separate them onto separate needles. I’m always impressed with anyone that does two at a time.
Lynne in Hawaii says
This would stop the one sock done UFOs issue for sure. That is a beautiful rich color you are using.