Knit Socks - Betsy Lee Mccarthy [17]
WORKING THE SOCK FOOT
Rounds 1–24: Knit to the end of each round, continuing the 4-round striping pattern as established. You will have 3 pairs of mc and cc2 stripes.
Next Rounds: Begin working 5-round stripes, maintaining the same alternating color pattern, until sock measures 8¼” (21cm) from back of heel, or desired length to beginning of toe shaping.
SHAPING THE ROUND TOE
SETUP: If using double-point needles, slip 1 stitch from Needle 2 (instep) to Needle 3 (instep) and 1 stitch from Needle 3 (instep) to Needle 4 (heel). You now have all instep stitches together on a needle/needle tip and all heel stitches together on another needle/needle tip. Continue the striping pattern as established.
Round 1: *K6, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round. You now have 56 stitches.
Rounds 2–3: Knit to end of each round.
Round 4: *K5, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round. You now have 48 stitches.
Rounds 5–6: Knit to end of each round.
Round 7: *K4, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round. You now have 40 stitches.
Rounds 8–9: Knit to end of each round.
Round 10: *K3, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round. You now have 32 stitches.
Rounds 11–12: Knit to end of each round.
Round 13: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round. You now have 24 stitches.
Rounds 14–15: Knit to end of each round.
Round 16: *K1, K2tog; repeat from * to end of round. You now have 16 stitches.
Round 17: K2tog to end of round. You now have 8 stitches.
CLOSING THE TOE AND FINISHING THE SOCK
Break off yarn leaving a 8” (20cm) tail, thread tail through yarn needle, and run yarn through remaining 8 stitches. Draw stitches together, tighten, take yarn through to wrong side, and weave in.
To block, lightly mist or steam sock and pat into shape. Blocking will help smooth out your stranded Fair Isle patterning.
Winter Garden Cuff Chart (work in the round)
Winter Garden Heel Chart (work from side to side)
Little Guys
Knitting these cute toddler-sized socks is like eating popcorn — once you start it's hard to stop! Use your imagination to create your own signature gifts. Combine leftover yarns to make socks with several colors.
Low-Roll Sporty
A reverse stockinette stitch and roll tops make these stylish sport socks attractive enough to be seen anywhere. For a double roll look (not shown), create the second roll and shorten the sock leg length by pushing down the first roll approximately a half inch, allowing a second roll to magically appear. These socks knit up fast using two strands of fingering-weight yarn or a single strand of worsted, so you'll be able to knit up a pair to tuck in all your athletic bags.
Making a More Blunt, Rounded Toe
For more blunt and rounded toe shaping, when the sock's foot length is 1½” (4cm) less than desired, work toe decreases until half the number of decreases have been made. Then work Round 2 (decrease round) every round instead of every other round until a total of 16 stitches remain. For example, a 72-stitch sock will be decreased by 56 stitches down to 16 stitches before grafting the toe together. To blunt the toe, work half of the decreases (half of 56 = 28), which will leave 22 stitches for the instep and 22 for the heel (72–28 = 44). Then continue to decrease every round from that point until 16 total stitches remain.
Yoga Moves
Combine your favorite colors and a special message to create socks that reflect your personality and make you smile. This new twist on a traditional style is a great way to learn or practice two-color stranded Fair Isle techniques. Like yoga, these socks will help you remember to “relax” and “breathe.”
GETTING STARTED
SETUP: Using cc1, loosely cast on 56 stitches.
Divide stitches evenly among 4 needles, 14 stitches on each needle. This sock begins and ends in the center back of the leg and heel, and center bottom of the sole.
Join into a round being careful not to twist stitches. (For instructions, see Joining: Trading Places