Share
Behind the Skeins
Sock Construction
Ever find yourself wondering: āShould I knit my socks cuff-down or toe-up?ā If so, you are NOT alone. This is hands-down one of the biggest questions I get from knittersāwhether theyāre just starting out or are seasoned sock makers looking to shake things up.
In this ultimate guide, weāre diving deep into the two most popular sock constructions: Cuff-Down (aka top-down) and Toe-Up. Weāll cover what they are, the pros and cons of each, my personal tips (plus a few fun stories), and my best advice to help YOU choose which one to knit next.
Whether youāre a die-hard cuff-down fan or curious about toe-up magic, letās break it all downāstep by step.
In this week's episode learn:
š§¶ Cuff-Down Construction
š§¶ Toe-Up Construction
š§¶ Pros and Cons of Each
š§¶ Pro Tips for Picking Your Next Pattern
āØMentioned Items:
Cuff-Down pattern- https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dk-weight-vanilla-socks
Kitchener tool-
Slap bracelet sock ruler-
š§¶ Read our blog: https://southernskeins.com/blogs/news
š§ Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@southernskeins
š© Join our mailing list & get a free knitting pattern: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know
šļø Shop Hand-Dyed Yarn & Subscribe to the Southern Stitch Box: š www.southernskeins.com
Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode! Rate, review, and share if you loved todayās fiber-filled conversation!
More episodes
View all episodes
17. Sept 6-12, 2025
08:16||Ep. 17Join me this week for a look Behind the Skeins and into the daily life of a yarn dyer. We are prepping, dying, and pressing. It is full speed ahead to kick start the holidays. Let's take a look!
16. Vlog of Aug 31- Sept 5
13:15||Ep. 16Join me this week for a look Behind the Skeins. Dave is building a table, the dogs went to a luau, and we are testing dyes to find the perfect depth of color for you.
15. Life of a Yarn Dyer
06:27||Ep. 15Join me this week for a look Behind the Skeins and into the daily life of a yarn dyer. It's all here: yarn, knitting, shipping, and car confessions.
14. Hear Tyler Dye the June 2025 Yarn
02:25||Ep. 14Let's step out into the dye studio to listen to Tyler hard at work dying up the Southern Stitch Yarn Subscription for June. Find out how the magic happens and hear all about the inspiration for the colors.The inspiration this month is found in the Florida sky. You know, that time of the year when the weather is just right and the evening sky turns into a beautiful play of dark blues that melt into purple and pink. Breathtaking!Ā Now let's try to capture that in yarn to share with all of our wonderful subscribers.Ā āØMentioned Items: Southern Stitch Yarn Subscription https://southernskeins.com/products/southern-stitch-yarn-subscription
13. The Making of a Shawl Cuff
21:50||Ep. 13Have you ever wondered how we make those beautiful shawl cuff you see in our shop? Wonder no more! In this special episode of Behind the Skeins Dave is going to talk you step though step how he makes each and every one of the shawl cuffs we sell. From a flat sheet of leather, to shaping, to snaps. It's all here!To see the man himself at work, please check out our YouTube channel or blog post listed below.Get your very own shawl cuff here: https://southernskeins.com/products/handmade-leather-shawl-cuff?_pos=1&_sid=9c521ac2b&_ss=r
11. Sock SOS
11:38||Ep. 11Sock SOS: Fixing the Top 5 Sock Knitting ProblemsDropped stitches, gusset holes, socks that donāt fit rightā¦ sound familiar? š¬ This week on Behind the Skeins, Iām diving into the 5 most common sock knitting problemsāand exactly how to fix them. Whether you're battling ladders, loose stitches, or worn-out heels, youāll leave this episode ready to tackle anything sock-related with confidence. š§¦PLUS: Grab your FREE Troubleshooting Checklist for quick-reference fixes every sock knitter should have handy!In this week's episode learn:š§¶Laddersš§¶Gusset Holesš§¶Fit Too Tightš§¶Wear Holesš§¶MisshapedāØ Links: ā Free Checklist: https://southernskeins.com/pages/be-the-first-to-know ā Sock Mending Kit ā Sock Log
10. Sock Yarn Matchmaking
12:17||Ep. 10Ā Sock Yarn Matchmaking: How to Choose the Best Yarn for Your PatternEver knit socks that looked AMAZINGā¦ but stretched out, sagged, or wore thin way too fast? š¬ Youāre not alone! In this episode of Behind the Skeins, Iām sharing my best tips for choosing the perfect yarn for any sock pattern. Weāre talking fiber blends, yarn weights, durability tricks, and how to match yarn to your patternās purposeāwhether itās lace, cables, or cozy house socks.PLUS: Grab your FREE Sock Yarn Checklist to make every project a winner. š§¶In this week's episode learn:š§¶understanding sock yarn weightsš§¶fiber contentš§¶sock patternsāØ Links Mentioned:š Free ChecklistšKnitting Plannerš Blogš Shop Sock YarnsListen now to become a total sock yarn matchmaker!
9. Conquering Sock Heels
15:41||Ep. 9The Sock Heel Dilemma: How to Conquer Sock Heels Like a ProAre you dreading the sock heel turn? š± Donāt worryāIāve got you! In this video, we tackle everything from the classic heel flap & gusset to my personal fave, the German Short Row Heel. Whether youāre a beginner sock knitter or looking to improve your technique, this step-by-step tutorial breaks down exactly what you need to know to knit flawless heelsāwithout the frustration.š Learn how to:Knit a heel flap and gusset (even if you hate gussets like me!)Master the German Short Row Heel (no gussets, no fuss š)Fix common heel mistakes (like gaps & ladders)Use markers, tension tricks, and blocking to get a professional finishš Download your FREE Sock Heel Checklist here:https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0561/9502/3026/files/German_Short_Row_Heel_Checklist.pdf?v=1752686900š§¶ Shop my favorite sock yarns & tools: ChiaoGoo needlesDropped stitch crochet hookSock yarn