Humble Socks

I've finally made enough socks that I've started doing a little freestyling. This pattern draws from a number of different sources, that together made a sock I'm pretty happy with. It has enough going on to hold some attention, but is simple enough for a first sock, or to work on while chatting or listening to the radio. It adds texture to a self-striping yarn, and it would probably look good with a solid too.




I made these with Online Supersocke 100 (100 grams, 420 meters) and four US size 2 (2.75mm) double pointed needles.
Stitch gauge: 8 sts/inch
Row gauge: 11 rows/inch
Knit to fit a woman's US shoe size 8


Loosely CO 64 sts.

Ribbed cuff:
Row 1: P1, K1 around.
Row 2: P1, K1tbl around.
Repeat these two rows 7 times.


Beaded Rib pattern:
Row 1: P1, K1 around.
Row 2: P1, K3 around.
Repeat these two rows until cuff measures about 6 inches, or desired length, ending with a row 2.

Distribute 33 sts across needles 1 & 2. Slip what's left on needle 2 onto needle 3. The 31 sts on needle 3 will be the heel flap.

Eye of Partridge Heel Flap:
Rows 1 & 3: K1, p to last st, sl1 wyif.
Row 2: K1, *K1, Sl1 wyib, rep from * to last 2 sts, K1, Sl1 wyif.
Row 4: K1, *Sl1 wyib, K1, rep from * to last 2 sts, Sl1 wyib, Sl1 wyif.
Repeat rows 1 - 4 nine times total (36 rows), but in last repeat of row 4, end with Sl1 wyib, K1.


Turn heel:
Row 1: Sl1, P17, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 2: Sl1, K6, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 3: Sl1, P7, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 4: Sl1, K8, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 5: Sl1, P9, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 6: Sl1, K10, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 7: Sl1, P11, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 8: Sl1, K12, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 9: Sl1, P13, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 10: Sl1, K14, SSK, K1, turn.
Row 11: Sl1, P15, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 12: Sl1, K16, SSK, K1 (19 sts remain).


Pick up sts:
Pick up and knit 19 sts along side of heel flap (needele 1). Work all 33 instep sts in pattern (resume with row 1 of beaded rib pattern) onto needle 2. Pick up and knit 19 sts from other side of heel flap and K 9 heel sts onto needle 3.
90 sts total: 29 sts on needle 1, 33 sts on needle 2, 28 sts on needle 3.


Decrease for Instep:
Row 1: K across needle 1 to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. Work in pattern across needle 2. K1, SSK, K to end of needle 3.
Row 2: K needle 1, pattern across needle 2, K needle 3.Repeat these two rows until 64 sts remain.


Foot:
Continue needles 1 & 3 in st st, and needle 2 in pattern until sock measures 6.25 inches or 1.75 inches less than desired length.


Toe:
Redistribute sts so that there are 16 sts each on needles 1 & 3, and 32 sts on needle 2. Begin decreasing for toe as follows.
Row 1: K across needle 1 to last three sts, K2tog, K1. On needle 2, K1, SSK, K across to last three sts, K2tog, K1. On needle 3, K1, SSK, K to end.
Row 2: K around.
Repeat these two rows until 32 sts remain (8 each on needles 1 & 2, and 16 sts on needle 2).
Then repeat only Row 1 until 16 sts remain (four each on needles 1 & 2, and 8 sts on needle 2). Knit four sts from needle 1 onto needle 3.

Leaving about a 12" tail, cut yarn. Graft toe using Kitchener stitch. Weave in ends and make another one!



Kitchener stitch:
With RS facing, hold one needle in front and the other in back, with working yarn coming from back right, threaded on small yarn needle.
Insert yarn needle into first st on front needle PURLWISE. Then insert yarn needle into first st on back needle KNITWISE.
*Next, insert yarn needle KNITWISE into first st on front needle, pull it off the needle, and insert yarn needle into second st on front needle PURLWISE. Next, insert yarn needle PURLWISE into first st on back needle, pull the st off the needle, and insert yarn needle into the second st on back needle KNITWISE. Repeat from * to end, pulling yarn through last st to finish off.
Be sure to keep the working yarn under the DPNs as you go. When you finish grafting, tug at yarn as needed to even it out and make it look like one continuous piece of knitting.