The wedge toe is sometimes referred to as squared toe. No matter what you call it’s a popular choice amongst sock designers and knitters.
In this post, I will show you how I knit a wedge toe on magic loop. This tutorial isn’t part of any pattern but can be used for any stitch count and yarn.
First, there’s a video showing how I do it. If you rather read please scroll down a bit for the written tutorial!
More to read:
––> Knitting on circular needles
––> Is your circular needle too long?
––> Interchangeable knitting needles
Knitting video: Knitting a wedge aka squared toe
If you like knitting videos like these, please follow the link and subscribe to the Don’t Be Such a Square YouTube channel!
How to knit a wedge toe
We’re going to divide the stitches into two sections so that it’s easy to see where the decreases at the sides of the foot should be made. There’s no need for stitch markers when we use the cable to divide the stitches.
How to know when to start making the toe?
When your foot on your sock is about 1,5 inches / 4 cm shorter than the finished size of the sock it’s time to start the toe decreases.
Measure the sock or, if you’re knitting for yourself, simply try the sock on to see how long it is compared to your foot. If you’re unsure it’s always better to make your sock a tiny bit too long than too short.
First, divide the stitches
Divide your stitches into two sections, 50% of the stitches in each. One half should be the stitches under your foot and the other half the stitches on top of the foot.
Time for toe decreases
The decreases are made on every other round at the beginning and end of each section.
I like to save one stitch before/after the decrease because I like the look of the band of stitches created between the decreases. You can also decrease the first and last stitches of each section, but that gives another look. Have a go at it and see which is your favorite!
Decrease round for knitting a wedge toe
Round 1: *K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches of the section, k2 tog TBL, K1* repeat *–* on next section.
Round 2: Knit all stitches
In plain English that means that you should:
- knit the first stitch
- knit the next two stitches together
- Knit until there is three stitches left in the section
- Knit the next two stitches togheter, this time through the back loop
- Knit the last stitch
- Do the same thing on the next section.
- Then knit all stitches on the next round.
If you’re unsure about the decreases or anything else watch the video above to see exactly how I do it.
How much should I decrease?
Keep alternating rounds 1 and 2 until you have about a quarter (25%) of your stitches left. So if you had a total of 40 stitches, decrease until you have 10 stitches left, or thereabout. 12 or 8 will also do.
How to close the remaining toe stitches?
I like to use the three-needle bind-off to close my toe stitches. It’s easy to do, looks nice, and is durable.
Another way to finish the toe is to sew the live stitches together with the Kitchener stitch, this is also called grafting. You could bind off as usual and sew the opening close afterward.
How to do the three-needle bind off
The three-needle bind off creates a seam on the side where you make it. Therefore it’s a good idea to start by turning the sock inside out.
If you have watched the video you saw that I just had a small ball of yarn left that I could push through the toe opening.
If you have a large skein you can either let the yarn go through the sock, even if it’s a bit fiddly. Or, you can cut the yarn leaving a long enough yarn tail for both the bind off and weaving in afterward.
You will need an extra needle for this, pick one in the same size or slightly bigger. Otherwise, the bind off can be too tight.
Push the stitches to the tips of your circular needle, they should still be divided in half.
Set up: Take the spare needle in your other hand and put it into the first stitch of both needles and make a knit stitch, knitting both stitches together. Make another knit stitch the same way.
Use one of the tips to pass the first stitch you knitted over the second.
Bind off: Knit one stitch from each tip together, and pass the old stitch over the new. Work like this until only one stitch remains, cut the yarn, if you haven’t already, and pull it through the last stitch. Weave in the ends.
I’m sure this isn’t the only way to knit a wedge toe, but this is how I do it. No way is more right or wrong than the other, just different!
Good luck with your toe knitting 🙂
Your next read:
––> How to knit a sock in any yarn and size
––> Adorable baby blanket knitting kits
––> Best journals for knitters!