FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS
Size: 7 (9, 10) women or 6 (7, 10) men Gauge 6 x 8 stitches /inch
WORSTED WEIGHT SOCK RECIPE Toe-Up
MATERIALS
Size 5 (3.75mm) needle - check gauge!
Any worsted weight yarn, preferably washable with some nylon (for maintaining shape with wear). I've had great luck with Berroco Vintage but have started playing with other worsted weight, washable yarns. This is part of the fun. Weigh yarn before casting on and divide in half. A good pair of socks can be made with 100 grams (I like a decent calf length so mine finish around 110 grams).
ABBREVIATIONS
K =Knit Kf&b = knit into the front and back of the stitch (creating two stitches from the one)
INSTRUCTIONS
TOE Cast on 24 stitches using magic cast on. Divide 12 stitches each needle using magic loop, or if using dpn's evenly divide across all needles. Work to 44 (48, 52) for size with \* knit one round, next round K1, Kf&b, knit to one less than half the total stitches, Kf&b, K1, K1, Kf&b, knit to one less than remaining stitch, Kf&b, K1 \* - Repeat \* until final stitch count is reached. Knit in the round for 6.5 (7.5, 8)" or about 1-1/2" less than total foot length.
HEEL
For worsted weight I prefer short row heels to a heel flap. The sock is already bulky so a perfectly shaped heel isn't an added benefit. Divide stitch count in half when starting the heel. Knit across half of the stitches using wrap and turn until 7 (8, 9) stitches wrapped on each side. (Google short row heel - there are lots of good tutorials like this) The beautiful thing about the short row heel is there are no stitches to pick up, it can be knit top down, toe up, and colors/texture can be mixed in for fun. Before rejoining all the stitches pick up one stitch each side in between heel and foot stitching. Twist this stitch before placing on needle. K2tog when knitting the next round and coming across these picked up stitches (this prevents the hole). If using a different color for the heel, switch to main color on the opposite side of where you started the heel, leaving a tail on both sides of the heel. This is useful for securing any remaining gap in the sides when finishing up.
BODY
Knit out remaining yarn until about a yard (or more) remains. To snug up the top of sock switch to a one size smaller needle and continue for about an inch or so. Another option is to create a rib pattern using a k1 (through the back) P1 ribbing. Before binding off switch back to main needle, knit in established pattern for one row and then bind off using a stretchy bind off technique like JSSBO, or any bind off that creates loose tension. Again, Google is amazing when searching for stretchy bind off.
TECHNIQUES
If you are creating stripes try using the traveling jogless striping technique. A great way to hide your line of switching colors.
