I have only knitted socks on the magic loop and I'm looking for patterns using this method. Can anyone recommend any? I'm not experienced enough to translate regular socks patterns to this method. Thank you.

Lisa

Stitches for working a sock are generally distributed as follows:

If using 4 dpns -- 1/2, 1/4 and 1/4. The half stitches are usually the instep stitches and the 1/4 and 1/4 are the heel stitches.

If using 5 dpns -- a quarter of the stitches are on each needle. Two needles hold the instep stitches and two needles hold the heel stitches.

If using two circular needles -- half the stitches on each needle. I prefer that one needle hold the instep stitches and one needle hold the heel stitches but I have seen patterns written where 1/2 the instep and 1/2 the heel stitches are on one needle and the remaining half on the other needle.

Magic Loop -- half the stitches on each half of the needle. The distribution is like that when using two circulars except one uses a one longer circular needle.

If you can visualize the stitch distribution, there is virtually no conversion that you would need to make from a pattern written for dpns to your magic loop technique. Just keep track of where your heel stitches and instep stitches are.

You can check www.socknitters.com which has an extensive sock pattern library to see if there are patterns than people have written out directions for both dpns and circulars, or for magic loop alone but the sooner you take the leap of faith to adjust how you think about the patterns, the faster you will have access to an incredible array of options.

You might try doing a sock on dpns to help you better visualize the stitch distribution. And it never hurts to have more than one technique in hand to accomplish the same thing.

Good luck with your socks.

thank you so much for your reply! I totally agree that I just need to jump in and figure it out. I also would like to try to knit on dpns as well. Thank you!

Hi knittymama, I have only knitted socks on double pointed needles but want to try the magic loop. How do yo do it?

www.knittinghelp.com has a nice video on how to do the Magic Loop method as well as videos on dpn knitting and knitting on 2 circulars. Hope that helps!

I have knitted socks on both magic loop and DPN.Sensational Knitted Socks is a great book for DPN and circular needles. Melissa Morgan Oakes book 2 At A Time socks is great for Magic Loop.

Hi: If your still looking for a pattern try www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/mittenformula.htm

I've been following this one and realized just why I don't knit two socks on one needle. As separate simultanious projects one lives in my purse and one lives in the bathroom. You can't do that when they are on the same needles.