Twist Squared
This sock pattern is named after the two different twisted structures that make up the pattern: a Twisted Garter Cuff and columns of cables that travel down the leg, heel flap and foot. Twist Squared is a great pattern for those variegated sock yarns that can swallow complicated stitch patterns, but looks equally nice in a semi-solid or solid yarn.
Materials
100g fingering weight (sock) yarn (350 - 450 yards, depending on foot size) ?US 11/2 / 2.5mm needles (DPNs or circulars for your sock knitting method of choice) Tapestry needle for grafting toes and weaving in ends Stitch marker and cable needle (both optional)
Gauge
30 stitches and 43 rows per 4 inches.
Notes
An excellent picture tutorial for the Twisted Garter Cuff Cast-On is available from Turtlegirl76's Bloggy Thing: http://turtlegirl76.com/2010/1 1/04/tutorial-twister-garter-cuffedging/. The cast-on tail can be used to sew up the twisted garter cuff edges to lessen the gap that can result after joining in the round. Be sure to leave an extra inch or two for this purpose. I highly recommend cabling without a cable needle for this project. A great tutorial can be found in the Winter 2007 Knitty issue: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/FEATwin07TT.html. The abbreviation c2 is used to mean “"cross two stitches whichever way you like better." All front crosses, all back crosses, or mirrored on each pattern repeat - it's completely up to you. For a tighter fit, some of the stitches from the 6-stitch stockinette panel in the leg pattern can be removed, or stitches can be added for a looser fit. This will make the numbers for the heel flap pattern not work out: if you removed stitches, you can omit some of the cable crossings in the heel flap and knit those stitches as they appear; if you added stitches, the numbers could work out for k2 columns between the cables. When in doubt, experiment @
Abbreviations
k - knit p-purl c2 - cable two stitches RS - right side WS - wrong side k2tog - knit 2 together ssk - slip 1 stitch as if to knit, slip stitch back to left needle, k2tog through back loop p2tog - purl 2 together
Twisted Garter Cuff
Cast on 64 stitches using the Long-Tail Cast-On. Knit 5 rows. Knit 4 stitches. Bring yarn to the front as if to purl. Rotate the right needle tip clockwise around the left. This twists your garter band once, and your working yarn will automatically end up to the back of the work, ready to continue knitting. Your yarn is now wrapping around the garter cuff; you want to pullit tight when you continue working. Repeat the “knit 4, twist needle" maneuver until all stitches have been worked, ending by knitting the last 4 stitches. Knit 1 row.
Leg
Join for knitting in the round, being careful not to twist (anymore than you want things to twist). If desired, place marker for beginning of round. Here you can knit one more row to stabilize everything before proceeding to the pattern. Round 1: \*K1, p1, c2, p1, k6, p1, c2, p1, k1\*. Repeat from \* to end of round. Round 2: \*K1, p1, k2, p1, k6, p1, k2, p1, k1\*. Repeat from \* to end of round. Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until desired leg length is achieved, ending after round 2. Sample socks have a leg length of about 6 inches.
Heel Flap
Heel willbe worked across 32 stitches, the other 32 stitches will rest on their DPNs or stitch holders until you've finished the heel turn. Row 1 (Rs): slip 1, p1, c2, p1, k1, p1, c2, p1, k1, p1, c2, p1, k2, p1, c2, p1, k1, p1, c2, p1, k1, p1, c2, p1, k1 Row 2(ws): slip 1, ki, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p2, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1, p2,k1, p1 Repeat rows 1 and 2 a total of 13 times (26 rows, 13 cable crossings).
Heel Turn
Row 1 (RS): Slip 1, k17, ssk, k1. Turn work. Row 2 (WS): slip 1, k5, p2tog, k1. Turn work. Row 3 (RS): slip 1, knit to 1 stitch before gap, ssk across gap, k1. Turn work. Row 4 (wS): slip 1, purl to 1 stitch before gap, p2tog across gap, k1. Turn work. Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches have been worked. 18 stitches remair
Gusset Set-Up
Slip 1 stitch, knit 17 across heel flap. Pick up and knit 1 stitch in each slipped stitch along side of heel flap (13 stitches) plus any needed to close the gap between heel and top of foot. Work in established pattern across top of foot. Pick up and knit stitches to close the gap between top of foot and heel, then pick up and knit one stitch in each slipped stitch along side of heel flap. With the same needle, knit 9, ending at center of heel turn. If desired, place marker for beginning of round.
Gusset Decreases
Round 1: knit to 3 stitches before top of foot, k2tog, k1. Work across top of foot in established pattern (32 stitches). K1, ssk, knit to end. 2 stitches decreased. Round 2: knit all sole stitches. Work across top of foot in established pattern (32 stitches). Knit to end. Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until you have 64 stitches remaining.
Foot
Continue in established pattern, working the top of the foot in pattern and sole in stockinette stitch, until length of foot is about 2 inches less than desired length from back of heel. Remove marker, knit 16 to side of sole. This will be the new beginning of the round.
Toe
Round 1: k1, ssk, k to 3 stitches before end of top of foot, k2tog, k1. Repeat for bottom of foot. Round 2: knit to end. Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 20 stitches remain, ending after round 2. Graft toe stitches together using Kitchener stitch. A tutorial is available in the Summer 2004 issue of Knitty: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/FEATtheresasum04.html.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Make second sock to match the first. Enjoy! Double Helix Designs - akasha111182.livejournal.com - akasha111182 on Ravelry
