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October 20, 2005
Magic Loop
As you probably know, Lolly is hosting Socktoberfest, and the Griffyndor socks are being knit as my participation. I thought I'd post a little bit about the magic loop because this is the first pair of socks I've knit with this method (my KRSP gave me the booklet and needle as a gift). I find that I really like this method of knitting socks. I don't think it will ever completely replace my dpns, but it's a nice change and once you get the hang of it, it's easy. Diana posted about the magic loop in July and she has a great link and better pictures, so go check that out too.
The magic loop is similar in theory to knitting socks on 2 circulars, but you use one long needle instead of 2 separate needles. I'm using a 40" size 1 needle for the Gryffindor socks. You cast on and then you divide your total stitches in half and pull the cable out between the halves so that you have 1/2 of the stitches on each end of the needle.
This is known as "Home Position" and after every half you return to this position with the yarn on the back stitches. To knit you pull the needle so that the back stitches slide onto the cable and knit the stitches off of the front needle onto the back needle.
When you get to the end of the front needle
you turn the sock around, push or pull the stitches from the cable onto the new front needle and start all over again. The one thing I noticed is that you have to make sure your working yarn is between the rows of stitches rather than at the back of the stitches you just worked or you'll get a yarn over when you make your first stitch
So, that's it for knitting socks with the magic loop - well that's the leg anyway. When I get to the heel and gusset I'll take some pictures and post about how that works. Try it for your next pair of socks, you might like it.
Comments
I'm definitely going to try magic loop for socks sometime. Although, like you, I'm not sure if I can give up my DPNs completely... I kind of like using them!
Posted by: Cyndi at October 20, 2005 10:07 AM
Magic Loop Rocks!
Posted by: KRSP at October 20, 2005 10:42 AM
Nice demo! What do you think about magic loop for patterned socks? I think I prefer it for stockinette.
Posted by: Diana at October 20, 2005 12:32 PM
Great tutorial! I will still most likely stick to my dpn's, but at least now I understand the concept!
Posted by: Rebekah at October 20, 2005 1:32 PM
v. nice demo!! i knit my socks with two cir. so magic loop does make sense!!
Posted by: blossom at October 20, 2005 1:32 PM
oh yes, it is my favourite way of knitting in the round now!
Posted by: Carolyn at October 20, 2005 2:43 PM
Lovely photos for your demo!
Posted by: Purly Whites at October 20, 2005 2:47 PM
i enjoy reading your blog. i did a post a few weeks ago about the magic loop too. i really is fun. thought you may like to read mine too. i'm kind of new to the blog thing, no pixs yet, yours' are great!!
Posted by: laurie at October 20, 2005 4:27 PM
Oh, fun!!! What a great tutorial! Thank you!
Posted by: Kathy at October 20, 2005 5:54 PM
VERY interesting, I'll have to see if I can do that - thanx 4 the tutorial! (i'm such an education junkie =P)
Posted by: April at October 21, 2005 8:55 AM
I would actually have to sit down and try it with your explanation. I am an extremely visual learner, which I have learned with knitting! I have to go line by line and have the needles and yarn in hand when trying something new. When I get past this sweater of mine I would love to try this method! Thanks for the info!
Posted by: Stephanie at October 21, 2005 4:17 PM
Finished sock 1, which I switched to MLoop on the gusset. Now am half wat thru the ribbing on sock 2 and I LOVE MAGIC LOOP!!!!!
THANX AGAIN
Blogging is such a good resource for us newer knitters. It is wonderful having the collective experience of so many knitters at our fingertips!
Posted by: April at October 22, 2005 10:50 AM
I am convinced that Socks on 2 Circs and Magic Loop is an evil plot by the Addi Turbo people to sell more needles! It's just not my thing, although I have tried both. Still like my little bamboo sticks. BTW...rechecked the map and it looks like we come right through Laramie and Cheyenne on our trek west. We'll have to see how it goes....
Posted by: Marcia at October 22, 2005 10:07 PM
Great tutorial! Thank you for taking the time to spell out the Magic Loop.
Posted by: Kathy at October 23, 2005 7:56 PM
how do you like working with the magic loop method? i've seen the little instruction book at my LYS, but, i learned with dpns, and i don't mind using them ... (why fix something that ain't broke?). is there a benefit, other than not using dpns, for people who don't like dpns?
thanks for posting the tutorial!
Posted by: gray la gran at October 24, 2005 7:38 AM
I love doing my socks with ML, have done some with dpn, but I like the speed of ML. Tried 2 circs, didn't like as much-why bother with extra needles when all you need is one long one?
Posted by: Julie at December 18, 2006 2:23 PM
I think this is great information about making socks on the magic loop. I've tried several times
and always wound up with too many stitches.
Thanks!
Posted by: patti at June 6, 2007 3:23 PM
I love the majic loop. I just casted on and in 30 minutes have 1 inch of 2x2 ribbing. Awesome.
Posted by: kajunknitter at July 14, 2007 7:25 PM
I'am doing my first pair of sock on magic loop. The toe instructions are to knit three rounds even. What does that mean?
Posted by: Becky at October 21, 2007 10:16 PM
