So far, all the socks I have made have been cuff-down, but I thought it was time I challenged myself to learn how to make socks the other way: toe-up. After doing some light Googling, I found Judy’s Magic Cast-On, which the Internet seems to love for the way it shapes the top of the sock.

• Appropriate weight yarn
• The appropriate gauge needles (either DPN or circular)

Judy’s Magic Cast-On by Judy at Persistent Illusion
(YouTube tutorial)

I chose to use my yarn by MOCOemiko along with my ChiaoGoo 9″ circulars for this. In hindsight, a toe-up cast-on would probably be easier with DPNs, just because it’s a little hard getting the needles in the right place for all the stitches when the cord is so short.

I really like this cast-on technique because of how gapless the toe ‘seam’ is! Before I found this technique, I also played around with the Figure 8 cast-on, but I found there was more gappage with that. To the best of my understanding, Judy’s version is simply a modified Figure 8 cast-on, but I find the changes to be very effective! Do you have a favourite cast-on technique?

People say that toe-up socks are helpful when you’re not sure about yardage, since you can make a sock as tall or as short to match how much yarn you have. I’ve also read in some places that toe-up socks are easier to try on as you go, but I’ve been able to try on my cuff-down socks too, so that hasn’t been a big factor for me. Right now, I’m not sure if I have strong preferences either way. What about you? Are you cuff-down or toe-up sock knitter?

Until next time, happy crafting!