After receiving many requests, here you go! This tutorial demonstrates how to knit two socks at-a-time, using magic loop – or one long circular needle to knit both socks.
This pattern is packed full. In the download, you will receive:
1. Two patterns – one uses worsted-weight yarn, the other uses sock-weight yarn.
2. Two sizes – each pattern has sizes for both men and women.
3. Both charted and written instructions for the heel, so you can choose your favorite.
4. Links to a five-part instructional video (video is viewable at the bottom of this post).
Once you learn the techniques I demonstrate here, you can easily use your new skills to work any sock pattern this way. Additionally, I believe I have invented a new way to work a heel – and once you learn this heel, you can easily substitute it in other patterns. (If you have seen this heel elsewhere, let me know. I haven’t!)
For the worsted-weight version:
Size: Medium (to fit any size woman’s foot, average width), Large (to fit any size man’s foot, average width)
Needles: Size 6 US (4mm) circular needles, at least 24” in length (longer is better); you will also need two additional needles in the same size or close to it for the cast-on (I like to use two double-pointed needles)
Yarn: at least 200 yards of worsted-weight yarn, wound into two equally-sized balls. (For a longer sock, especially in the men’s size, you may want more than 200 yards of yarn.)
Additional Materials: tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Gauge: 6 stitches per inch in stockinette, unstretched
For the sock-weight version:
Size: Medium (to fit any size woman’s foot, average width), Large (to fit any size man’s foot, average width)
Needles: Size 1 US (2.5mm) circular needles, at least 24” in length (longer is better); you will also need two additional needles in the same size or close to it for the cast-on (I like to use two double-pointed needles)
Yarn: at least 400 yards of sock-weight yarn, wound into two equally-sized balls (I used Hazel Knits Piquant Lite in color “Arroyo”)
Additional Materials: tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Gauge: 8 stitches per inch in stockinette, unstretched
Pattern + links to 5-part instructional videos $10 US via PayPal 
Links to things you’ll see in this video:
Beautiful green circular needles (size 6 US, 32″) are by Signature Needle Arts.
The yarn I use in the sock-weight socks is Hazel Knits Piquant Lite in color “Arroyo”.
The Spiral Scarf on the mannequin is a free pattern and video tutorial.
The worsted weight yarn I use for demonstrating is Ella Rae Classic, color “Plum”.
I’m so excited to try the TAAT socks in magic loop. I’m starting with the pattern for worsted yarn. In trying to achieve the correct gauge, I am now working with a size 2 needle…started with a size 6! I can’t seem to get the correct gauge! I usually have to adjust needle size somewhat, but this is making me crazy. What is wrong with me?
Karen – are you sure you’re looking at the gauge for the worsted weight socks? The gauge for worsted is 6 stitches per inch, the gauge for the fingering weight is 8.
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Hi Staci. Went to buy pattern. One is for 8 dollars, other for 10. I need pattern to make worsted weight and wool sock yarn, toe up. Wish is the correct pattern. Wool wound into 50g balls ready to go. Thank you. Didn’t want to buy two patterns.
Kindest regards
I am sorry Staci, know where I went wrong. Have just piurchaded pattern now xx kindest regards Cecilia
I have made 3 pairs of socks with this pattern and end up with a large hole in the same place every time. Its where you start knitting in the round after the heel. I am following your pattern line by line and cannot figure out how this is happening. Can you help with this?
Thank you
Mary – that is something that can happen, depending on your gauge, your tension, your yarn choice, etc. This video should help:
https://verypink.com/2014/11/26/correcting-gaps-in-socks/
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Hi staci
i actually have a daughter who goes on your website to see tutorials of the projects that she can knit. She is only 10 years old but she has taken a great interest in your projects and videos. i got her a pattern the day before yesterday, and she knit a pair of beautiful socks. She was just wondering if she was to knit socks for a person who is kind of like her age, then how many increases and decreases would she have to do for the heel?
Hi Farnaz – 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. I’m sorry – resizing a pattern is not a quick or simple thing.
I’m sure your daughter can find a sock pattern designed to fit her size on Ravelry, that uses the same techniques she learned in my tutorial. Here is my video showing how to use Ravelry Advanced Search:
https://verypink.com/2015/03/25/ravelry-tips-using-advanced-search/
Good luck!
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Hi Staci! I was moving along great until I hit the heel. My heel has a hole at every ssk. The k2tog are ok but just ok. I have a photo I can send you. Any thoughts? Appreciate all of your amazing patterns and tutorials. Thank you!
Amy – please review the ssk technique here: https://verypink.com/2010/03/13/video-slip-slip-knit-ssk/
SSK stitches shouldn’t create holes…make sure you’re keeping good tension!
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Hi Staci,
I successfully finished my one sock with a magic loop on one circular needle — and I just bought your wonderful pattern for 2-at-a-Time Magic Loop Socks.
I watched the video above, and I *Understood Every Step* — which is thanks to your superb instructions on the video and also due to your excellent videographer.
You put a lot of time and expertise into instructing people all over the world, and I am *grateful* to you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Now I can hardly wait for my Local Yarn Shop to open, so I can purchase supplies! 🙂
Hi Staci,
Just wondering if one heel is more durable than another. I’m want to make socks for my sons and one of them is particularly hard on socks and footwear in general. Thanks!
Ruth – all of my sock patterns (and most sock patterns available elsewhere) are one layer of knitting, and are as durable as the yarn you use. Here is a link to my video on reinforcing sock toes and heels for longer wear: https://verypink.com/2012/07/05/reinforcing-sock-toes-and-heels/
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Right, I’ve seen that tutorial and forgot about it. Thanks!
Hello,
I don’t want to knit two socks at a time, just the regular way. Will I be able to use this pattern to do that?
Marika – this pattern specifically teaches two at-a-time, but I have many other sock tutorials that teach one at-a-time. You can see them here:
https://verypink.com/category/socks/
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Hi Staci, I just watched the beginning of the video to see how to cast on the 2 at a time. I think I’ll be okay from there, BUT… I have what sounds like a silly question. It’s obvious you need separate working yarn for each sock; Does that mean you need 2 different skeins, or can you use the same skein? I have one skein of yarn I know will be enough for both socks. Can I wind it into a cake using my winder, and just use the two ends – one from the inside, and the one on the outside? Suggestions, please! Thanks. 🙂
Rita – using the two ends from one ball/cake of yarn is a tangle disaster waiting to happen. I suggest winding the yarn into two equally sized balls:
https://verypink.com/2014/12/23/winding-yarn-into-two-equally-sized-balls/
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I would like to purchase this pattern using a credit card other than PayPal. May I do that?
Marie – if you live in the US, you can use PayPal to process your credit card without signing up for a PayPal account.
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I love your videos! they are the best!
So, did you find a name for this brilliant way of making the heels? this is my favourite way, it is so safe! thank you for inventing it and sharing with us 🙂
I really like the ease of the new heel you introduced on your two-at-a-time sick video. However, I do not know how many times to do each of the knit row/purl row sequence for the heel of a woman’s sock pattern (total 64 c/o; the pattern with turned heel and shaped gusset has 14 rows of decrease before picking up 17 stitches along each side of the heel flap, then shaping the gusset). How do I determine the number of knit row/purl row for your wonderful heel?
Debbie – the heel you’ve described sounds like a heel-flap style heel…this heel is best substituted for short row heels, which is a totally different style of sock. The number of stitches to decrease is clear when you’re substituting this style for a short row heel.
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I am knitting the 2 socks at-a-time, magic loop pattern. I am at the point to pick up the stitches from the heel decreases. When I do the SL stitch for knitting is that done, knit-wise? I did see that slip stitch on the Purp side is down purl-wise.
I watched the video for this pattern, and saw your work on the first knit row where a full knit stitch is done. I did not see the way you slipped the stitch on the next knit row.
I have watched your video on the slip stitch, but I am still not sure.
Many thanks!
Pauline – a rule of thumb for any pattern you’re knitting…always slip as-if-to-purl, unless the pattern specifies otherwise.
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Did you ever come up with a name for the heel you use in the 2 at a time cuff down socks? Thanks!
Staci – going to attempt my first pair using your 2 on a magic loop cuff down method.
I also watch the single on the magic loop video. Can I use the heel pattern in the single video instead of he one shown on the 2 at a time video? Can you please tell me if its advisable to use worsted 95% wool 5% silk. (plymouth mushishi) – it was the only multicolor yarn in my LYS . It is 491 yds and I want to make the cuff longer that the ones you show in the videos. Do I need to do anything different than just add more rows before the heel so that they fit properly. Thanks in advance.
Susan – once you learn the techniques used in my videos, you can switch them around, provided the yarn weights in the pattern are the same. 95% wool 5% silk should make a nice sock yarn.
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I have 2 – 137 yd (274 yds total) skeins of fibra natura gentle merino yarn that is sport weight. What size needle would I use to make the two at a time socks?
Susan – this pattern uses worsted weight yarn or sock weight yarn. Some of my other sock patterns use DK/Sport weight yarn, like Socks on 9″ Circulars, German Short Row Socks, and Lace German Short Row Socks.
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