Figure 8 Toes

Didn't I promise that I was going to explain how to do Figure 8 toes? I think I'm only a couple of weeks late on that. I learned it from Ethnic Socks & Stockings, by Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts. If you haven't seen this book, it is absolutely beautiful. The socks in it are wonderful, and the techniques she explains are even better. I learned more new things about knitting from this book than any other single book I have read. Since it is about socks from the other side of the world, the methods could be expected to be different. They are. Trying it out was a valuable learning experience, with applications much broader than just socks.

Okay, I got side-tracked there, but I really love that book. And no, I don't have it, but the library does. I want my own copy though.

Back to Figure-8 Toes

• As in the picture above, start with the figure 8 cast on. This is as it sounds: wrap the yarn in figure-eights around two dpns. I like a width of 6 or 8 stitches to start a toe (that is the number on each needle).
  
• Use a third needle to knit back and forth on one needle, forming a
  square. Work two rows more than the number of stitches on one needle. Actually, the first row I work across one needle, then I turn it over and work across the second needle. This helps to secure the end of the yarn, which I work in as I knit.
  
• After knitting a square, pick up stitches along the sides. Now you are working with five needles, including the working needle. The tricky part is done.
  
• After knitting around all four needles once, begin increasing. You can do this any way you like, but what I did was matched increases at the beginning of one needle, end of the second, beginning of the third, and end of the fourth. Knit one round plain and one increase round alternately until you have as many stitches as you need for the foot of your sock.
  
• At this point you may begin any pattern you would like to use for your sock. You can continue on dpn's, or switch to two circulars if you prefer.