Socks

Materials:

2-50 gm balls of 4 ply fingering weight yarn or 1-100 gm ball of 4 ply fingering weight yarn

1 set 2.25 double-pointed needles (or size needed to obtain gauge) (Note: this pattern is written for a set of 4 dpns, 3 needles

to hold the stitches, 1 to knit with.)

Gauge: 7.5 - 8 stitches = 1 inch in stocking stitch

Abbreviations:

K knit

P purl

Sl1p slip 1 as if to purl

K2togknit 2 together

P2togpurl 2 together

SSK slip one stitch as if to knit, slip the next stitch as if to purl; put both stitches back on the left hand needle and knit them

together

Before starting, measure the foot length of the recipient. This is an important measurement.

Total foot length required: ________________ inches.

Let’s Start

Cast on 64 (68) stitches. Divide stitches evenly on three needles. Join in a circle, being careful not to twist stitches. (Hint: make sure

you have an even number of stitches on each needle; it makes working the ribbing much easier.)

Work in ribbing (Knit 1, purl 1 across the round) for 1½ inches. Begin knitting in stocking stitch. (Hint: when working in the round,

stocking stitch is working the knit stitch all the way around, every row.) Continue working in stocking stitch until sock measures about

6 (7) inches, or length desired.

Divide for the heel:

(In this section, we’ll refer to the three working needles as needle 1, needle 2 and needle 3. Needle 1 is where you begin the round;

Needle 2 will hold your instep stitches; Needle 3 is the end of the round.)

Knit 16 (17) stitches from Needle 1. Transfer the remaining stitches from Needle 1 to Needle 2 (or if you prefer, put the next 32 (34)

stitches onto waste yarn so they’re not in your way). There should be 16 (17) stitches left on Needle 3; knit across Needle 3, then knit

the stitches from Needle 1 onto the end of Needle 3. (You may find it easier to work this next section if you divide the 32 (34) stitches

that are on needle 2 on to two needles or onto a piece of waste yarn)

Heel Flap

(The heel flap will be worked only on half of your total stitches and will be worked back and forth.)

With wrong side facing, slip the first stitch as if to purl, then purl across the 32 (34) heel stitches. Then work the heel flap as follows:

(right side facing)

Row 1: Sl1p, *k1, sl1p; repeat from * to end of row

Row 2: Sl1p, purl to end of row

Repeat these two rows until the heel flap measures 2½ inches.

Turn the heel

With right side facing

Row 1: sl1p, knit 17, SSK, k1, turn

Row 2: sl1p, purl 5, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 3: sl1p, knit 6, SSK, k1, turn

Row 4: sl1p, purl 7, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 5: sl1p1, knit 8, SSK, k1, turn

Row 6: sl1p, purl 9, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 7: sl1p, knit 10, SSK, k1, turn

Row 8: sl1p, purl 11, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 9: sl1p, knit 12, SSK, k1, turn

Row 10: sl1p, purl 13, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 11: sl1p, knit 14, SSK, k1, turn

Row 12: sl1p, purl 15, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 13: sl1p, knit 16, SSK, turn

Row 14: sl1p, purl 16, turn (18 sts remaining)

(You’ll notice that when you SSK or p2tog, you’re working one stitch from before the gap left on the previous row and one stitch from

after the gap.)

The Gusset

With the right side facing, Knit 9 stitches. (This will now become Needle 3)

Using another needle, Knit the remaining 9 heel stitches (This will now be Needle 1). Pick up and knit 20 stitches along the side of the

heel flap. (29 stitches on Needle 1)

With Needle 2, knit across the 32 (34) instep stitches. With another needle, pick up and knit 20 stitches along the second side of the

heel flap, then knit the 9 stitches from Needle 3. (You should now have 29 stitches on Needle 1, 32(34) stitches on Needle 2 and 29

stitches on Needle 3.)

Work the gusset as follows:

Round 1: Needle 1, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1; Knit across Needle 2; Needle 3, k1, SSK, knit to end of round

Round 2: Knit

Repeat these two rounds until 64(68) stitches remain. Continue working in stocking stitch, without shaping until the foot measures 2

inches shorter than the total length required.

(Hint: For instance, if your total foot length is 10 inches, work the foot until the sock, measured from the back of the heel, measure 8

inches.)

When the foot has been worked to the length required, begin the toe shaping as follows:

Round 1:

Needle 1: knit to last 3 stitches; k2tog, k1

Needle 2: k1, SSK; knit to last 3 stitches; k2tog, k1

Needle 3: k1, SSK, knit to end of round

Round 2: Knit

Repeat these 2 rounds until 32 (34) stitches remain. Work Round 1 only until 16 stitches remain. On the final round, knit the stitches

from Needle 1 onto the end of Needle 3. The stitches should be divided evenly on two needles. Use the Kitchener stitch to graft the

toes closed.

Cast on for your second sock!