Thunderstruck Sock Designed by Raquel Gaskel
Materials:
100g of DK or Sport Weight Yarn Set of 3.75mm or 4mm DPN Size: Foot circumference of 19 (20.5)(21.5) cm - S (M) (L) Finished foot length 22 (24.5)(26cm) Foot length adjustable Gauge: Yarn gauge of 22 sts x 28 rows over 10cm using 4mm DPN · 7 sts per 2.5 cm using 3.75mm needles over Stocking Stitch 6 sts per 2.5 cm using 4 mm needles over Stocking Stitch
Cast on 40, 48, 56 stitches using either 3.75mm or 4mm DPN's - the choice is yours, depending on the type of fit you prefer. I prefer a more 'tailored' fitting sock fabric when using double knitting / sport weight yarn, so l have used 3.75mm needles throughout. I recommend using an elastic method of cast-on, e.g., long-tail or continental - to ensure that the cuff fits properly. This is especially important if you decide to use a 100% acrylic yarn, which often doesn't have a lot of 'give' to it. Divide stitches between 4 needles, 10 (12) (14) on each, and join for working in the round - be careful not to twist stitches. Rib: [K2, P2] to end for 7 (14) (14) rounds - 2.5 (4) (4) cm or required cuff length. Commence using 'Thunderstruck' pattern chart, or written pattern instructions, until leg measures 16.5 (19) (20) cm - ending with row 12 of pattern (all sizes).
Heel Flap: Knit across 10 (12) (14) stitches on N1, then turn work, and purl back along 20(24, 28) stitches on N1 and N4 - placing them on one needle - 20 (24) (28) stitches are now at the back of the leg. The remaining 20 (24) (28) stitches will be worked later for the sock instep (foot). Work on 20 (24) (28) heel stitches, back and forth, as follc Choose either plain or ribbed heel instructions: Plain: Set-up Row 1: Slip 1 purl wise with yarn in back, knit to end. Set-up Row 2: Slip 1 purl wise with yarn in front, purl to end. Repeat rows 1 & 2 until you have worked a total of 12 (16) (20) rows. Ribbed: Set-up Row 1: [Slip 1 purl wise with yarn in back, Kl] to end. Set-up Row 2: Slip 1 purl wise with yarn in front, purl to end. Turn Heel: Repeat rows 1 & 2 until you have worked a total of 12 (16) (20) rows. Row 1: (RS) Sl 1, knit across 12 (14) (16) stitches, SSK, K1, turn work. Row 2: (WS) Slip 1 purl wise, P5 (P7) (P7), P2 tog, P1 turn. Row 3: Slip 1, Knit to the Ist stitch before the gap made by the last row, SSK, K1, turn. Row 4: Slip 1, Purl to the 1st stitch before the gap made by the last row, P2tog, P1, turn.
Repeat rows 3 & 4 until all the stitches have been worked; you should have finished on a wrong side row, so that you are ready to start work on a right side row next. You now have 12 (16) (18) stitches remaining. Gusset: Knit 6 (8) (9) stitches (and place marker if using to indicate centre of heel); using a new needle, N1, knit remaining 6 (8) (9) stitches and pick up 10 (12) (14) stitches along the side of heel flap, knit across stitches on N2 & N3, then, using a new needle, N4, pick up 10 (12) (14) stitches along the other side of heel flap and knit remaining 6 (8) (9) stitches to the beginning of the round. You should now have a total of 52 (64) (74). Round 1: (Decrease round) N1 - Knit to the last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1; knit across stitches on N2 & N3; N4 - K1, SSK, then knit to end. Round 2: (Even round) knit all stitches. Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until 40 (48) (56) stitches remain - there should be 10 (12) (14) stitches on each needle. Foot: Continue working even rounds until your sock measures 16.5 (18) (19) cm or 6cm less than desired foot length. Toe: Round 1: (Decrease) Knit to last 3 stitches on N1, K2tog, K1; N2, K1, SSK, knit to end; N3, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1; N4, K1, SSK, knit to end (4 stitches decreased). Round 2: Knit allstitches. Repeat rounds 1& 2 until 20 (24) (24) remain, then, continue with round 1 only until 12 (16) (16) stitches remain. Rearrange needles so that there are 6 (8) (8) stitches on two needles, ready for graffing as follows; Knit 9 (12) (12) stitches (finishing at the end of N3) - rearrange stitches so that the first and last stitches of the round (N1 & N4) are on one needle, with the remaining 6 (8) (8) (on N2 & N3) on another. Graft the toe using Kitchener Stitch. Abbreviations: K1 Knit 1 P1 Purl 1 K2tog Knit two stitches together P2tog Purl two stitches together SSK Slip 2 stitches knit wise from L needle to R needle. Insert L needle through both front loops and knit tog (1 stitch decreased). S1 Slip 1 stitch
