When I knitted up my first pair of socks, I didn’t really get the second sock syndrome because I cast on the other one right after finishing the first. I was scared I’d forget to follow my notes, that the cuffs would be different lengths, that I’d somehow mess up how I picked up the stitches for the heel turn, or that my tension would change. Luckily, I chose an ankle sock and in worsted weight so it didn’t take up much time to complete both.
Okay, I lied. It took about 10 hours for the pair. I sat on the couch and didn’t move all day.
However, that experience was enough for me to truly contemplate two at a time knitting. Now, I’ve been knitting off and on for about eight years. My earlier projects were basic scarves with mismatched cast on and bind off edges (the bind off flared!) , the occasional hat, and some knitted toys. It’s only been this year that I’ve really branched out (hey, hats are branching out if they involve different techniques!) and tried cables, different cast on methods, colorwork, and even socks! Still, learning two at a time seemed way too complicated.
I found two great video tutorials – seriously, how did I learn anything without YouTube? Cuff Down Socks Two at a Time and How to Knit Socks – Two at a Time Cuff Down. I cast on then had to redo it because my working yarn was on the wrong side. Cast on again using long tail but didn’t like that so redid it using Jeny’s Stretchy Slip-Knot Cast On instead; so much better.
I’m following the Smitten with Mittens pattern in my Knit Simple Knitting Workshop book and using a bunch of leftover gray worsted weight yarn. I had originally set off to make it for myself, but it’s looking rather big and will probably end up being for my husband instead.
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