Monica Knits

The rectangular toe is one method of constructing the toe for a sock knitted toe up. Beginning with a provisional cast on of 12 loops for a ladies' medium sized sock, followed by a row of purled stitches, a small 6 row x 12 stitch rectangle is created. The provisional stitches are then transferred to a second needle and unzipped and 4 additional stitches are picked up along each side of the rectangle to form a round having 32 sts. Increases are performed on alternate rows until the required number of sock stitches have been formed. Read more.... for instructions and photos describing this technique.

Of the 3 methods of toe construction described for toe up socks, this is my least favorite. Although it is relatively quick to create, it lacks the finesse of the Kitchener Stitch Toe or the Short Row toe. Charlene Schurch¹ describes this as an "Easy Toe", and I would concur, so I have included it here.

Materials

1. 2.5 mm crochet needle
2. 2.5 mm dpn
3. 2.0 mm dpns (4)
4. 2.0 mm circular needles, 24" (2)
5. 12 provisionally cast on stitches from the prior sock construction step
6. split ring or other stitch markers
7. Stitch register, tally counter or other row counter

Rectangular Toe Construction Steps
Although I knitted the toe with two circular needles, the steps prior to the first round were completed with dpns, for convenience.
12 sts Step 2 Step 3a 3b Step 3c

1. The first image shows the completed provisional cast on with 12 purled sts.
2. Complete six rows of stockinette stitch (Rows 1, 3 and 6 Knit; Rows 2, 4, and 6 Purl) to create a small rectangle. Image 2 shows the wrong side of the rectangle, with the first loop being picked up from the provisional row, with a second needle.
3. The next three images show the blue crochet chain being unzipped by tugging on the tail, after a loop (white) was picked up by the second dpn. You can pick up more than one stitch at a time, but for illustration purposes, a single stitch is shown.
4. Starting the Round Once all twelve provisional stitches have been picked up on needle 2, you are ready to start the round. Knit across the 12 stitches on the first needle. You can use the first 2.0 mm circular needle at this point if you prefer.

Step 5a Step 5b Step 5c Step 5d









5. Pick up 4 stitches from the short side of the rectangle. Image 5a shows the first st being picked up with a crochet needle and image 5b the fourth st. Once 4 sts have been picked up with the crochet needle, transfer them to a dpn (images 5c and 5d). The first of these 2 sts will be added to the end of circular needle #1 and the last 2 to the beginning of circular needle #2. If you prefer, you can pick up the sts directly with a dpn.
6. Knit across the second dpn (this one had the provisional loops) and then pick up 4 sts from the last side of the rectangle. The first 2 sts will go on the end of circular needle #2 and the last two on the beginning of circular needle #1.
7. Transfer the sts to two 2.0 mm circular needles, if you have not already done so. Two sts from each short side go with each 12 st set (2+12+2 on needle #1, 2+12+2 on needle #2).

Markers

8. There are now 16 sts on each circular needle.
9. Knit one round, placing a marker (PM) at the center of each needle, so that there are 8 sts on either side of the marker.
10. Toe Increases Next, symmetrical increases will be created at each end of needle 1 and needle 2 on alternate rounds.
    Round 1, Needle #1: K1, M1, k across to last st, M1, K1
                   Needle #2: K1, M1, k across to last st, M1, K1
    Round 2, Needle #1: k across
                   Needle #2: k across
    Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until there are 32 stitches on each needle.

*There is a link below to instructions on forming the M1 increase.

Quality Control Tips

1. The start of a round is the beginning of the needle that holds the yarn tail. Place a marker at the center of each needle. (Step #9 above.) I would suggest using two colors, so that the start of a round is more obvious. In the, the starting needle is indicated with an orange marker.
2. At the end of a round, each of the two circular needles has the same, even number of stitches. Periodically check to make certain. The mostly likely error is to increase at one end of a needle and forget to do so at the opposite end. By checking the count periodically, this can be caught and remedied before the error is compounded.
3. If you find a needle with an odd number of stitches, count stitches on either side of the marker placed for exactly this purpose. The side with the smallest number needs to be increased to restore balance. Depending on where you are in the round (needle 1 or needle 2, and whether it is an increase round or knit round), back up to the mistake and correct it, or insert an increase at the appropriate end of the next knit round (round 2).

NEXT STEP - Foot
In preparation for knitting the foot, transfer the stitches from the two 2.0 mm circular needles to two 2.5 mm circular needles and remove the center markers.
Click here to transfer to the Basic Toe Up Sock article.
Click here for instructions on the M1 Increase.

Footnotes
1. Charlene Schurch. More Sensational Knitted Socks, Martingale & Co., WA., 2007, p. 41. This book has instructions for the "Easy Toe" in six sizes for 4 and 5 dpns as well as 2 circular needles. This is a good reference book for socks.