What is a Wedge Toe?

A wedge toe is one of several different construction techniques you can use to knit the toe of a sock. This is a simple technique, and can be used with either toe-up OR top-down socks! 

For toe-up socks, you start with Judy's Magic Cast-On, and then work paired increases to create the "wedge" that forms the toe. 

For top-down socks, you do paired decreases to create the "wedge", and then finish by grafting the remaining stitches together at the very end. 

Doodle patterns that use this technique

The Base Doodle Top-Down Sock and our Toe-Up version use this toe technique. But many sock construction techniques are interchangeable, so if you like this method, you can add it to other sock patterns too!

INSTRUCTIONS (top down)

Numbers here refer to our Base Doodle Top-Down Sock in Fingering Weight

Work your sock per the pattern instructions until you reach the toe section. If using our pattern, you should have 36, 48, 60 (72, 84, 96) sts on the needles.

PART 1: Shape the Sock Toe

Set up: Using toe color, divide your working stitches in half using the following: k18, 24, 30 (36, 42, 48), place second marker, knit to end of round.

Rnd 1: *k1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, rep from * 1 more time. 4 sts dec’d. 

Rnd 2: Knit all sts.

Rep R1-2 until 24, 32, 32 (40, 48, 48) sts remain, or until approx. 3/4 of original sts remain.

Rep R1 until 12, 16, 16 (20, 24, 24) sts remain, or until approx. 1/2 of previous sts remain.

Break yarn, leaving tail long enough to graft the remaining stitches.

PART 2: Grafting

Set up: Thread the yarn tail through a tapestry needle. Insert purlwise through 1st st in front, leave on. Insert knitwise through 1st st in back, leave on.

Grafting: Pull yarn all the way through for each step:

1. Insert tapestry needle knitwise into first stitch on front needle. Remove from needle.

2. Insert tapestry needle purlwise into second stitch on the front needle. Do not remove from needle.

3. Insert tapestry needle purlwise into first stitch on back needle. Remove from needle.

4. Insert tapestry needle knitwise into second stitch on back needle. Do not remove from needle.

Rep steps 1-4 until all sts have been grafted together.

For detailed instructions on how to graft, see our full tutorial on Grafting Live Stitches.

INSTRUCTIONS (toe up)

Numbers here refer to our Base Doodle Toe-Up Sock in Fingering Weight

PART 1: Seamless Cast-On

With your toe color, cast-on 36, 48, 60 (72, 84, 96) sts using Judy's Magic Cast-on. Your sts should be arranged evenly across two needles. 

Place a marker or otherwise note BOR.

For detailed instructions for this cast-on, see our full tutorial on Judy's Magic Cast-On.

PART 2: Shape the Sock Toe

Rnd 1: Knit all stitches.

Rnd 2: *K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts on first needle, skl, k1; repeat from * on second needle. 4 sts inc’d.

Repeat Rnd 2 until reaching 24, 32, 32 (40, 48, 48) sts, or approximately doubling your cast on sts.

Repeat R1-2 until reaching 36, 48, 60 (72, 84, 96) sts, or until reaching your desired foot circumference stitch count.

Switch to larger needles (if working colorwork). If using Magic Loop or DPNs, divide stitches across needles as preferred, or switch to circular needles.

Knit 2 rounds in toe color.

Continue working your sock per the pattern instructions.

 

Happy Doodling!

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Blog co-written by Jamie Lomax and Grey Lundy.