Learn to Knit Toe-Up Socks

In this pattern you will see links to four instructional videos that will explain each section in detail, and help get you through the tricky parts.

Size: Women average width, any shoe size
Needles: Size US 5 (3.75mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs)
Yarn: 100 grams of worsted weight yarn in a wool or wool blend
Additional Materials: tapestry needle for weaving ends, size G or H crochet hook, scrap yarn, a clippie marker
Gauge: 5.5 stitches per inch

This pattern is for a worsted-weight sock. We’re using heavier yarn and bigger needles than most knitted socks, so that you can quickly learn and work through the elements of toe-up sock knitting. The techniques you learn here will set you up for working with all kinds of other sock patterns.

For this pattern you’ll need less than 200 yards of worsted-weight yarn, size US 5 double-pointed needles, and a size G or H crochet hook (for the provisional cast-on).

Videos + pattern are $8.00 via PayPal

The video tutorial can be seen here on YouTube.

36 comments on “Learn to Knit Toe-Up Socks

  1. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I have been waiting for this video and pattern. I love how you teach knitting–you are very easy to understand and I can grasp the concept much better when I can read the pattern and see how it is supposed to be done. Thanks again.

  2. Hello and thank you for taking the time to show us how to knit socks. I have a question: In part 2 you showed how to do the cast on, then in part 3 you began by saying that we should have cast on our stitches and purled back. When am I supposed to do that? Do I knit it first?
    Thank you

  3. Your videos are so clear and easy to follow! I had been wanting to learn how to knit socks for years, and I finally learned how recently from your toe down sock video. Now I’m looking forward to learning the toe up technique too. I’ve heard that it’s good for some very cool looking Eastern, ethnic designs, and for knitting a sock of any length you want ( or have enough yarn for).

    Your videos are really a boon to those of us who don’t live enough to a knitting shop to attend classes.

  4. I would like to know which knitting books of toe up socks are the best. I need one to get started on this fantastic method !!

  5. Hi! I am so grateful for these videos! This is my first attempt at toe up socks and its going well. I’ve finished the heel but when I began knitting in the round again, I had a large gap. I tried going back and picking up the side stitches on the heel and it’s still looking wonky. Any suggestions? Thanks!

  6. I am just learning to knit socks and this looks like a great tecnique. Will try it for my first toe up sock. Thanks.? E.

  7. Staci,
    After trying all day to get the toe done, I gave up. I am going back to cuff-up socks for now. I did find the video for the wrapping but I am a tight knitter and it just got too tight so into the basket it went. I think I will try a hat or what do you suggest? I am tired of scarves. I think I bought the wrong pattern as I am an advanced beginner. I will wait for your thoughts before I invest in another one.

    I might suggest that on the video for your T-U-S’s that you put close-ups for lifting the wraps from the back of P and front of K stitches. It is a bear when we can’t really see you do it. Thanks!

  8. I have just finished my first pair of socks from th video and pattern I received from you. Thank you so much for the easy to understand directions. Please add me to your mailing via e-mail. I am 67 yrs old and didn’t think I could do this but I did. Thanks again. Judy Norris

  9. Hi Staci, wow this video is great, really answered questions well. Thanks for the great lesson. Debbie

  10. I love your insturctions for the bind off. I bought your pattern for the learn to knit socks (top down) and modified it to make some leg warmers for my daughter, but needed a stretchy bind off. Your BO here was very easy to learn.
    Thanks so much!

  11. I just came across your website when I did a google search for how to make toe up socks. I have always been scared to death to try them. I bought the pattern and watched your videos over and over and it finally clicked! The only thing I managed to do wrong is lose a stitch on my provisional cast on. Note to self, get more sturdy scrap yarn, not fingering weight! Anyway, great tutorial! Now I’m not scared to make toe up socks!

  12. Hi Staci, have been making several pair of Magic Loop socks and love them. I would like to find some wool yarn for socks. And if there is such a thing machine wash and dry wool yarn. With your family in Alaska thought you might have some ideas. Love your hints. Jo Ann

  13. I am curious if you would be doing a tutorial on how to do “Stitch Surfer socks”… I’ve seen them on Rav and it’s beautiful but I am intimidated on how to do two colors at the same time.

  14. Hello there, I just love your video and pattern it makes it so much easier to learn. I am now ready to try making a sock with sock yarn and was hoping you had a pattern for this using double pointed needles?

    i am so ready to make some socks using your pattern and would greatly appreciate if you could let me know if there is a pattern for them.

    Thank you,
    Pam Griffin

  15. Hi Staci,
    Just wondering before I buy this pattern, does this include men’s sizes? Because I was slightly disappointed when I found out that the cuff-down on DPNs were only for women. Still love your stuff though 🙂

  16. Hi Staci–
    I have both of your socks on DPNs patterns but I have a question–on cuff down you do that eye of partridge (? I think ?) stitch to make the heel sturdier. But I’m not seeing that on the toe-up one. Is that not something you can really do with short rows for the heels and all that jazz? Does it make a big difference in how the yarn wears? Thanks!
    Bethany

  17. Thank you so much Staci for the video on toe up sock video. I am wondering if this is the one to use if I want to do stitch surfer socks pattern. Would this be the right video to watch with an exception to include two different sock yarn?? I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.

  18. Debbie – thank you for the note. I’m not familiar with the Surfer Socks pattern. If it’s a toe-up sock pattern, you will probably be able to use some of the techniques I demonstrate in this video while knitting that pattern. I’m sure it goes without saying – the pattern I offer as accompaniment with this video is the ideal pattern to follow if you’re want to learn to knit toe-up socks using this video.

    S t a c i

  19. I am always grateful for you videos when I watch them. You are a gem to watch and learn from. Thank you so very much.

  20. Hi Staci!
    I purchased your toe-up sock pattern and I love how easy it is than traditional socks, but I do have one problem; when picking up the wraps on the purl side, that’s the side of the sock looks sloppy. I do pick up from the front, like you stated, but I must be doing something wrong. Any advise?

    Also, how do I use this toe-up on sock method on fine sock yarn?

    Thank you Staci for all you do the knitting world I don’t think I would be enjoying myself without you.

    Belinda

  21. Hi Belinda – regarding your first question, it takes practice. Just be very careful of your tension when working the toes, and make sure your right hand isn’t stretching out the stitches while holding the right needle.

    Most of my patterns and tutorials (including this one) are designed to teach the skills and techniques you need to knit that item (socks, sweaters, etc.). Once you’ve finished a tutorial, you have what you need to know to move on to all kinds of similar patterns, available in all sizes and using different weights of yarn. Now that you know the techniques used, you can confidently move on to other toe-up sock patterns that you find on Ravelry.

    Hope that helps!
    S t a c i

  22. Hi,
    I think your videos are great but I am having a problem. I am doing 2 socks at a time on a circular needle which was going great til I got to doing the heel. It seems that the last stitch is getting stretched as I go. Should the end stitches get wrapped? I am getting over having cancer and the morphine makes simple things hard sometimes. I have watched video 6 of 7 several times. Please tell me what I am doing wrong. Thanks so much, Robbi

  23. Robbi – are you working from one of my patterns? (Your comment appears on a page that is not for two socks at-a-time). If you are working from one of my patterns, please let me know which one.

    S t a c i

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