Favorite Socks (2 page)
Authors: Ann Budd
from the Winter 2004 issue of
Interweave Knits
Evelyn A. Clark
Simple knit and purl stitches are bordered by a neat twisted rib in these easy unisex socks with retro appeal. The smart stitch pattern, a combination of knits, purls, and knit-through-the-back-loops, is manageable for a beginning sock knitter. Comfortable and classic, they’ll be instant favorites.
INISHED
S
IZE
About 7 (7¾)" (18 [19.5] cm) foot circumference and 9¼ (10)" (23.5 [25.5] cm) foot length. To fit a woman (man).
Note:
The ribbed pattern is very elastic—both sizes have the same number of stitches in the leg.
ARN
Fingering-weight yarn (CYCA #1 Super Fine).
Shown here:
Kroy Socks (75% wool, 25% nylon; 203 yd [187 m]/50 g): 2 (3) balls. Shown in #54105 regatta blue and #54013 hickory.
EEDLES
Size 2 (2.75 mm): set of 5 double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
OTIONS
Markers (m); tapestry needle.
AUGE
16 stitches and 22 rounds = 2" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch worked in the round.
S
TITCH
G
UIDE
Instep Pattern
(multiple of 8 sts + 2)
Rnd 1:
*P2, k1 through back loop (k1tbl), p4, k1tbl; rep from *, end p2.
Rnd 2:
*P2, k1, p4, k1; rep from *, end p2.
Rnd 3:
*P2, k1tbl, p1, k2, p1, k1tbl; rep from *, end p2.
Rnd 4:
*P2, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1; rep from *, end p2.
Repeat Rnds 1–4 for pattern.
Loosely CO 64 sts. Arrange sts evenly on 4 dpn, place marker (pm), and join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts.
Rnd 1:
Purl.
Rnd 2:
*P2, k1 through back loop (k1tbl), p1, k2, p1, k1tbl; rep from *.
Rnd 3:
*P2, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1; rep from *. Work Rnds 2 and 3 a total of 6 times—13 rnds total. Cont as foll:
Rnd 1:
*P2, k1tbl, p4, k1tbl; rep from *.
Rnd 2:
*P2, k1, p4, k1; rep from *.
Rnd 3:
*P2, k1tbl, p1, k2, p1, k1tbl; rep from *.
Rnd 4:
*P2, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1; rep from *. Rep these 4 rnds 17 (19) times total, ending with Rnd 4—piece measures about 8 (8½)" (20.5 [21.5] cm) from CO.
Heel Flap
K16, turn work around, sl 1 pwise with yarn in front (wyf), p29—30 heel sts centered at back of leg; rem 34 sts will be worked later for instep. Work 30 heel sts back and forth in rows as foll:
Row 1:
(RS) *Sl 1 pwise with yarn in back (wyb), k1; rep from *.
Row 2:
(WS) Sl 1 pwise wyf, p29.
Rep these 2 rows 15 (17) times total, then work Row 1 once more—15 (17) chain sts along each selvedge edge; heel flap measures about 2½ (2¾)" (6.5 [7] cm) long.
Work short-rows to shape heel as foll:
Row 1:
(WS) Sl 1 pwise wyf, p16, p2tog, p1, turn work.
Row 2:
(RS) Sl 1 pwise wyb, k5, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 3:
Sl 1 pwise wyf, p6, p2tog, p1, turn.
Cont in this manner, working 1 more st before dec each row until all heel sts have been worked—18 heel sts rem.
Pick up sts along selvedge edges of heel flap and rejoin for working in the rnd as foll:
Rnd 1:
With Needle 1 (needle holding heel sts), pick up and knit 17 (19) sts along edge of heel flap; with Needle 2 and Needle 3, work Rnd 1 of instep patt (see
Stitch Guide
) across 34 instep sts; with Needle 4, pick up and knit 17 (19) sts along other edge of heel flap, then knit first 9 heel sts from Needle 1 again—86 (90) sts total; 26 (28) sts each on Needle 1 and Needle 4; 16 sts on Needle 2; 18 sts on Needle 3. Rnd begins at center of heel.
Rnd 2:
On Needle 1, k9, k17 (19) through back loops; on Needle 2 and Needle 3, cont in instep patt as established; on Needle 4, k17 (19) through back loops, k9.
Rnd 3:
On Needle 1, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog; on Needle 2 and Needle 3, cont in instep patt as established; on Needle 4, ssk, knit to end—2 sts dec’d.
Rnd 4:
On Needle 1, knit; on Needle 2 and Needle 3, cont in instep patt; on Needle 4, knit.
Rep Rnds 3 and 4 until 64 (68) sts rem—15 (17) sts each on Needle 1 and Needle 4; 16 sts on Needle 2; 18 sts on Needle 3.
Cont as established (work instep patt on Needle 2 and Needle 3; work St st on Needle 1 and Needle 4) until piece measures about 7½ (8)" (19 [20.5] cm) from back of heel, or about about 1¾ (2)" (4.5 [5] cm) less than desired total foot length.
Knit all sts on next rnd, and
at the same time
redistribute sts so that there are 16 (17) sts on each needle, with the instep sts evenly divided between Needle 2 and Needle 3 and the sole sts evenly divided between Needle 1 and Needle 4.
Rnd 1:
On Needle 1, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; on Needle 2, k1, ssk, knit to end of needle; on Needle 3, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; on Needle 4, k1, ssk, knit to end of needle—4 sts dec’d.
Rnd 2:
Knit.
Rep Rnds 1 and 2 until 32 sts rem. Rep Rnd 1
every
rnd until 16 sts rem. With Needle 4, knit 4 sts on Needle 1; sl 4 sts from Needle 3 onto Needle 2—8 sts each on 2 needles.
Cut yarn, leaving a 12" (30.5 cm) tail. Thread tail on a tapestry needle and use the Kitchener st (see Glossary,
page 123
) to graft sts tog. Weave in loose ends. Block lightly.
Ann Budd
These elegant stockings taper from knee to ankle by decreasing the needle size instead of changing the stitch count. The simple but distinctive cable pattern, reminiscent of antique stonework, makes these socks fit closely but comfortably. A row of subtle eyelets beneath the ribbed cuff can accommodate a pretty ribbon accent.
INISHED
S
IZE
About 6¾ (8)" (17 [20.5] cm) foot circumference and 9 (10)" (23 [25.5] cm) foot length. To fit a child (woman).
Note:
To make the socks larger or smaller, use needles one or two sizes larger or smaller and lengthen or shorten the foot as necessary.
ARN
Sportweight yarn (CYCA #2 Fine).
Shown here:
Dale of Norway Heilo (100% wool; 109 yd [100 m]/50 g): #9834 antique gold, 4 balls.
EEDLES
Ribbing and middle leg—size 6 (4 mm): set of 4 double-pointed (dpn). Upper leg—size 7 (4.5 mm): set of 4 dpn. Lower leg and foot—size 5 (3.75 mm): set of 4 dpn. Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
OTIONS
Cable needle (cn); marker (m); tapestry needle; about 2 yd (2 meter) 1" (2.5 cm) Hanah Silk Hand Dyed Ribbon in colorway Monet (optional).
AUGE
12 stitches and 17 rounds = 2" (5 cm) in stockinette stitch worked in the round on size 5 (3.75 mm) needles.
With size 6 (4 mm) needles and using the old Norwegian method (see Glossary,
page 121
), loosely CO 48 (56) sts. Arrange sts on 3 dpn so that there are 16 (20) sts on Needle 1, 16 (20) sts on Needle 2, and 16 (16) sts on Needle 3. Place marker (pm) and join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. Work Rows 1–5
only
of Elegant Ribbing chart 2 (3) times—10 (15) rnds total.
Eyelet rnd:
(optional) *K1, yo, p2tog, k1; rep from * to end of rnd. Change to size 7 (4.5 mm) needles and work Rnds 5–14 of chart once, then work Rnds 1–14 of chart once more. Cont in patt, rep Rnds 1–14 of chart and
at the same time,
when piece measures 5 (6)" (12.5 [15] cm) from CO, change to size 6 (4 mm) needles, then when piece measures 9 (10)" (23 [25.5] cm) from CO, change to size 5 (3.75 mm) needles. Cont even in patt until leg measures about 12 (13½)" (30.5 [34.5] cm) from CO or desired length to top of heel, ending with Rnd 11 of chart.
Heel Flap
K10 (14), turn work around so WS is facing, sl 1 pwise with yarn in front (wyf), p23 (27)—24 (28) heel sts centered at back of leg (when viewed from RS, these sts beg and end with p1); rem 24 (28) sts will be worked later for instep. Work 24 (28) heel sts back and forth in rows as foll:
Row 1:
(RS) Sl 1 kwise with yarn in back (wyb), *k1, sl 1 pwise wyb; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2:
(WS) Sl 1 pwise with yarn in front (wyf), purl to end.
