Knit Socks - Betsy Lee Mccarthy [14]
Starter Stockinette
Make these basic socks in one color or spice them up with contrasting heels and toes. Since this classic worsted-weight pattern knits up quickly and can be used as a sock design template, it will soon become an old favorite.
A Slippery Slope
I always carry small pieces of wax paper and very fine sandpaper in my knitting bag. A little rubdown with wax paper helps stitches slide better on wooden needles (and even bamboo). If any rough spots appear, I sand them lightly and then polish the spots with wax paper.
Checkered Textures
Mix multicolored and solid yarns to create a fascinating array of colors and textures on these socks. The easy-to-learn colorwork pattern makes it simple to create your own combo. And the stretchy stitch pattern ensures a comfortable, well-fitting sock that will hug your feet when you're out and about.
Easy Pick Up
You can use just the right-hand needle to pick up and knit the stitches along the edge of the heel flap, as shown below. Or, if you prefer, use either of the following tools. The second is one of my favorites, and it's one that new sock knitters catch onto very quickly.
• A crochet hook
• One double-point needle used as a “helper” to find the place for the other needle to pick up the new stitch
Classy Slip-Up
Slipped stitches highlight the changes in multicolored yarns and enliven solid colors on these unisex socks. They can be knit in either sport- or fingering-weight yarns. The stitch pattern is easy to memorize, and the alternating rows of stockinette and reverse stockinette rib between the slipped stitches create a cozy sock with thermal warmth.
Winter Garden
Lace edging tops a traditional Estonian patterned cuff paired with lively stripes, for a sock that is fun to knit and fun to wear. The color pattern on the cuff provides another opportunity to try two-color stranding. For variety, knit the entire cuff in lace by continuing it to the desired length. This pattern was inspired by socks designed by Nancy Bush.
GETTING STARTED
SETUP: Using smaller needles and cc1, loosely cast on 64 stitches. Divide evenly among needles. There will be 32 instep and 32 heel stitches. Join into a round, being careful not to twist stitches. (For instructions, see Joining: Trading Places and Getting Ready to Work, page 16.)
NOTE: Rounds for the sock leg start and end on the right-hand side of the sock as worn. After turning the heel, rounds for the sole and toe of the sock start and end on the bottom of the sock.
Round 1: Knit to end of round.
Round 2: Purl to end of round.
Round 3: Knit to end of round.
WORKING THE SCALLOPED LACE EDGING
You begin to work the Scalloped Lace Pattern in the next round. This pattern is a multiple of 8 stitches and 2 rows. You work 4 pattern repeats on both the heel and instep stitches.
HINT: You may wish to use stitch markers or coilless safety pins to separate pattern repeats.
Round 1: *P1, slip 1 wyb knitwise, K1, psso, K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2: *P1, K7; repeat from * to end of round.
Rounds 3 – 6: Repeat Rounds 1 and 2. If you'd prefer a longer edging, you can work additional rounds.
Round 7: Purl to end of round. Change to larger needles if needed to maintain gauge in the stranded knitting sections.
WORKING THE WINTER GARDEN CHART
Using cc1 and, if needed for gauge, the larger needles, follow the Winter Garden Cuff Chart (top of page 63), working from right to left and starting on Line 1 at the bottom. Add mc and cc2 as called for in the chart and in the written directions below. (The round numbers correspond with chart line numbers.)
Round 1: Using cc1, knit all sts.
Round 2: Using cc2 and cc1, *K3 cc2, K5 cc1; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 3: Using cc2 and cc1, *K4 cc2, K1 cc1, K1 cc2, K1 cc1, K1 cc2; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4: Using cc2 and cc1, *K1 cc2, K1 cc1, K2 cc2, K3 cc1, K1 cc2; repeat