Ever since I made a pair of top down (or cuff down) socks for Addie and the top of the leg was a little snug when she pulled it over her heel, I’ve wondered about why that happened because I knit about half my socks toe up and about half top down but I rarely have a top of the cuff that’s too tight to easily pull over my heel. The socks I made for Addie were sport weight and the yarn wasn’t as stretchy as most of the sock yarns I use so I attributed it to the lack of stretch in the yarn.
It was so cute when Addie told me “the waist of the socks is a little tight!” I’ve never thought of it being like the “waist” but to her, it made perfect sense and I smile every time I think about her saying that.
I’ve mentioned Suzanne Bryan on here before. She’s a master knitter and every time I watch one of her videos or read something she’s written, I learn something . . EVERY time! She knows so much and so freely shares her knowledge. I just love her!
Today I watched her video o creating a stretchy long tail cast on for socks. She debunks the theory that using a larger needle for casting on will help.
I think You will be impressed with this little video. I started watching it and didn’t even get to the end before I said “I have to share this!”
Joyce says
Interesting! I started using the German Twisted Cast on for socks several years ago, because it is a stretchier cast on. (It is a variation of a long-tail cast on). What is funny is if I’m casting on for socks, I automatically do the German Twisted. If I cast on for a scarf or sweater I automatically do a regular long-tail cast on. I think I’ll try her option of leaving extra space next time.
SusanB says
I use the twisted long tail cast on because I like the look of it. But I have long had the habit of leaving space between the stitches when I cast on. Like she said, that bottom yarn is the one that controls how much stretch your cast-on edge has.
dezertsuz says
That’s pretty cool, even for me. =)