Favorite Socks (6 page)
Authors: Ann Budd
Mona Schmidt
Mona Schmidt combined the Embossed Leaves stitch pattern with a smooth two-stranded tubular cast-on, a rib pattern with knit stitches worked through the back loops for crisp definition, to create an elegant sock. The Embossed Leaf pattern is eye-catching, but the subtle details make these socks truly exceptional: The third stitch on each needle grows into a leaf; the unusual garter stitch heel edge extends the purl stitches between the leaves; the star toe completes the leaf motif on its last repeat.
INISHED
S
IZE
About 7½" (19 cm) foot circumference and 9" (23 cm) foot length. To fit a 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
Fingering-weight yarn (CYCA #1 Super Fine).
Shown here:
Koigu Premium Merino (100% merino wool, 175 yd [160 m]/50 g): #2151 blue-green, 2 skeins.
EEDLES
Size 2 (2.75 mm): set of 5 double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
OTIONS
Marker (m); tapestry needle.
AUGE
15 stitches and 22 rounds = 2" (5 cm) in stockinette stitch worked in the round.
S
TITCH
G
UIDE
Twisted Rib:
(multiple of 2 sts)
All rnds:
*P1, k1 through back loop (tbl); rep from * to end of rnd.
With 1 dpn and using the 1 × 1 rib method (see Glossary,
page 120
), CO 64 sts.
Row 1:
(WS) K1, *k1 through back loop (k1tbl), sl 1 with yarn in front (wyf); rep from * to last st, k1tbl.
Row 2:
*Sl 1 wyf, k1tbl; rep from *.
Arrange sts evenly on 4 dpn (16 sts each needle), place marker (pm), and join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. Work twisted rib (see
Stitch Guide
) for 18 rnds—piece should measure about 1¾" (4.5 cm) from CO. Work Rnds 1–16 of Leaf chart across all sts 3 times, then work Rnds 1–8 once more—piece should measure about 6¾" (17 cm) from CO.
Heel Flap
Work 32 heel sts (all sts on first and second needles) back and forth in rows as foll (rem 32 sts will be worked later for instep):
Row 1:
(RS) Knit.
Row 2:
(WS) K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3.
Rep these 2 rows 11 more times, ending with a WS row—24 rows total.
Work short-rows as foll:
Row 1:
(RS) K18, k2tog tbl, k1, turn work.
Row 2:
(WS) Sl 1 pwise, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3:
Sl 1 kwise, knit to 1 st before gap formed on previous row, k2tog tbl (1 st each side of gap), k1, turn.
Row 4:
Sl 1 pwise, purl to 1 st before gap formed on previous row, p2tog (1 st each side of gap), p1, turn.
Rep Rows 3 and 4 until all heel sts have been worked—18 heel sts rem. Cut yarn.
With RS facing, rejoin yarn to beg of right side of heel flap and pick up sts along selvedge edges of heel flap and rejoin for working in the rnd as foll:
Rnd 1:
With Needle 1, pick up and knit 15 sts along right edge of heel flap, then k9 heel sts; with Needle 2, k9 rem heel sts, then pick up and knit 15 sts along left edge of flap; with Needle 3, work across first 16 instep sts as established; with Needle 4, work across rem 16 instep sts as established, M1 pwise (see Glossary,
page 124
)—81 sts total. Rnd begins at center of heel.
Rnd 2:
On Needle 1 and Needle 2, knit; on Needle 3 and Needle 4, work sts as established (last st is a purl st).
Rnd 3:
On Needle 1, ssk, knit to end; on Needle 2, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog; on Needle 3 and Needle 4, work sts as established—2 sts dec’d.
Rep Rnds 2 and 3 seven more times—65 sts
rem; 16 sts each on Needle 1, Needle 2, and Needle 3; 17 sts on Needle 4.
Cont in patt as established until Leaf chart has been worked a total of 7 times from CO, then work Rnds 1–8 once more—piece measures about 7½ (19 cm) from back of heel.
Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog—64 sts rem (16 sts on each needle). Cont as foll:
Rnd 1:
*K2, p1, knit to last 2 sts on needle, p2tog; rep from * for rem 3 needles—60 sts rem.
Rnds 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12:
Knit.
Rnd 3:
*K3, p1, knit to last 2 sts on needle, p2tog; rep from * for rem 3 needles—56 sts rem.
Rnd 5:
*K4, p1, knit to last 2 sts on needle, p2tog; rep from * for rem 3 needles—52 sts rem.
Rnd 7:
*K5, p1, knit to last 2 sts on needle, p2tog; rep from * for rem 3 needles—48 sts rem.
Rnd 9:
*K6, p1, knit to last 2 sts on needle, p2tog; rep from * for rem 3 needles—44 sts rem.
Rnd 11:
*K7, p1, knit to last 2 sts on needle, p2tog; rep from * for rem 3 needles—40 sts rem.
Rnd 13:
*Knit to last 2 sts on needle, p2tog; rep from *for rem 3 needles—36 sts rem.
Rep Rnd 13 seven more times—8 sts rem.
Cut yarn, leaving an 8" (20.5 cm) tail. Thread tail through rem sts, pull snug to tighten, and fasten off. Weave in loose ends. Block lightly.
from the Fall 1999 issue of
Interweave Knits
Nancy Bush
These patterned socks were inspired by traditional Ute beadwork. This Native American culture, located west of the Rocky Mountains, is known for highly decorated beaded clothing and accessories. These socks are knitted from cuff to toe, with the two-by-two ribbing at the cuff worked in subtle shades from red to purple. These colors are also used throughout the design, giving a shaded interest to the patterning.
Download the charts for this project here.
INISHED
S
IZE
About 8½ (21.5 cm) foot circumference and 9½" (24 cm) foot length. To fit a 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:
Brown Sheep NatureSpun Sport (100% wool; 184 yd [168 m]/50 g): #720 ash (tan), #N40 grape harvest (purple), #235 beet red (dark red), #N48 scarlet (bright red), 1 ball each.
EEDLES
Size 0 (2 mm): set of 5 double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
OTIONS
Marker (m); tapestry needle.
AUGE
18 stitches and 22 rounds = 2" (5 cm) in color pattern worked in the round; 16 stitches and 24 rounds = 2" (5 cm) in stockinette stitch worked in the round.
With scarlet, loosely CO 72 sts. Arrange sts evenly on 4 dpn, place marker (pm), and join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. Work k2, p2 ribbing for 6 rnds. Join beet red and work 3 rnds as foll: *k2 beet, p2 scarlet; rep from *. With beet only, work 6 rnds in established rib. Join grape harvest and work 3 rnds as foll: *k2 grape, p2 beet; rep from *. With grape only, work 6 rnds in established rib. With ash, knit 3 rnds. Work Rnds 1–56 of Leg chart—piece measures about 7¼" (18.5 cm) from CO.
