In my last few #sockswithsarah sock updates I’ve had a few curious questions about the fact that my socks are knitting inside out. And I would I would share why. Two things:
1: I like working in what I think of “modified magic loop”. In other words I have two dpns that I use like two circulars or one extra long circular. I then have a third needle to work the active yarn. And normally the socks are right side out and the active stitches to be knit would be on the needle closest to my body.
2: I have very long fingers. And now I have developed pregnancy induced carpal tunnel in my hands/wrists. I couldn’t stand to work very long on my socks.
My local yarn shop owner overheard my problem awhile back. She had a nifty suggestion….turn the darned thing inside out!
This allows the active stitches to be knit to be on the back needle. I’m still knitting…no purling. But the slight difference in distance allows my hands to relax more and my fingers to be less cramped. I’ve had almost zero carpal tunnel since switching styles. And when I’m done….I just have to turn the socks inside out 🙂
Not sure if this makes sense. Not sure if it’s a knitting thing or just something weird that works for me. But I had enough comments I wanted to share with the world. Sorry if the photo doesn’t help me elaborate the point….I’m about to turn the heel after completing the gussets.
Has anyone else every done something a little different to solve a knitting problem?
My Tangled Yarn Knitting Adventures 
This is the way I’ve always knitted my socks and anything circular. Good luck.
I really think knitters are some of the most ingenious people. Problem-solving is in our blood, er stitches? I am currently knitting the Kit Camisole and I somehow managed to just stop halfway through a row of half-linen stitch and started stockinette. Then, apparently, I started the half-linen again about 20 stitches later. I didn’t notice until I had knit almost an additional 7-8 inches on the length and there is no way I am ripping back that many stitches (over 300 per row)….I’ve thought about it for days and I think what I’m going to do is go back after casting off and carefully stitch back over the mistake, in and out, to replicate the look of the stitch. Hope it works as well as your solution to the carpal tunnel issues with purling–so smart! Very sorry this happened to you! Pregnancy sure has its quirks.
Loving your pink polish. 🙂
I live in fear of carpal tunnel! I’m glad you found a way to get around it 🙂 Those socks are looking lovely!
I’ve always knit in the round with the right side on the inside 🙂
brilliant! Will have to give it a try 🙂
That’s actually how I knit my first pair of socks. Had no idea it was “backward” or anything!
I have carpal tunnel and knitting actually helped reduce the pain/burning/numbness during my second pregnancy. (The theory was that the motion was keeping the excess fluid from building up and pressing on things.) Who knows, but if I had my doctor’s blessing to knit, well. . . I would have knit even without it. 😉
Cool!
very cool! glad it helps with the cramping fingers and carpal tunnel. I do everything backwards – I blame it on learning left handed knitting from a right handed grandmother. I can’t even tell you exactly what I do that is backwards, but my sister has noticed it and commented on it, and I do know that my stitches sit backwards on the needle, so I knit through the back loop all the time to make it come out right. The only time I care is when the directions say to knit through the back loop – then I have to stop and think what the opposite of that would look like. I find it easier to slip up and over if you can put a little downward tension on the thread, and all I can say is, it works for me. 🙂 But it is the reason I will never teach anyone to knit, merely help them once they know the basic stitch.
All that matters is that we all end up with a FO right?
absolutely!
That’s how I first, naturally started knitting on dpns…until someone told me it was wrong. Now I use magic loop, but I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who thought dpns were easier inside out!
I did this accidentally on my first pair of socks and really confused myself or a while until I just flipped the sock right side out again! Glad to hear it is easing your carpal tunnel.
I’m sure my last pair were inside out while knitting. I wasnt sure what the ‘right’ way was. I’m glad it helped you though. 🙂
Good idea and worth a try! Thanks for sharing.