Start up course for sock welt

A method of knitting a sock on a circular knitting machine wherein for casting on purposes the end extent of knitting yarn is engaged by a first series of needles between a feeder and a clamping means at the knitting point, characterized in that, with the clamping means as seen in the direction of rotation of the needle cylinder located before the knitting point, the feeder is brought behind the knitting point and, after engagement of the end extend of the knitting yarn by the first series of needles, the feeder is moved to a yarn feeding position before the knitting point, with a number of needles positioned between and adjacent to the first series of needles brought into a position in which the yarn is not engaged thereby during such movement of the feeder to position before the knitting point, whereby the end extent of the yarn is maintained in the form of a single open loop during one course and is included in the fabric by the needles initially not engaging the yarn during the knitting of the subsequent courses.