This design was inspired by love, or a lack thereof, on Valentine's Day. That, and a friend who reallylikes hearts.
Materials:
First off, how are you feeling about love? It's an important question - every adventure requires some supplies and for this one you'll need yarn and needles. Maybe you're feeling red for passion, rosebud pink for new love, or maybe you're love situation is kind of bleak at the moment and you're feeling a bit goth. Whatever your mood, make your yarn choice and then follow the steps below to pick the aspects of the pattern that suit you best! Yarn: Any light fingering weight yarn will work. Samples were knit with Cider Moon Flurry in Midnight Special and ShiBui Sock in Blossom. Gauge: 8 stitches to 1" Needles: US 1 (2.25mm) or size needed to get gauge
Step 1 - Cuff options:
Picot Edging: Using a provisional cast on, cast 64 stitches onto a size US 0 (2mm) needle, or one size smaller than you used to get gauge. Join in the round being careful not to twist and place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round. Knit 6 rounds on the smaller needles. On the next round switch to size US 1 $(2.25\,\mathsf{m m})$ I or size used to get gauge and \*k2tog, yo\* for one round. Knit 5 more rounds on the larger needles. On the $6^{\mathrm{th}}$ round, fold over the picot hem. Pick up one stitch from the provisional cast on and knit together with each stitch on the needle. At the end of the round you wil have 64 stitches and the picot hem will be attached. Knit five rounds and continue to Step 2! 1 An alternate option is to knit the $6^{\mathrm{{th}}}$ round normally and thread a very thin lifeline through the complete stitches, then sew down the picot hem later. Ruffle Edging: Cast on 256 stitches onto size US 1 $(2.25\mathsf{m m})$ I needles or size used to get gauge (if you weren't feeling Blackhearted before you started the socks, now you definitely will be). Knit two rounds, then on the next round k2tog around (128 stitches remaining). Knit two rounds then on the next round k2tog around (64 stitches remaining). Knit five more rounds and then continue to Step 2! Regular Ribbing: OK fine, be boring like that! Cast on 64 stitches and rib as you wish! 1x1 perhaps? Or maybe you're feeling a little twisted and you want to knit those ktbl. 2x2 if you're feeling couple-y. Or maybe 3x1? We won't tell.;) Continue to Step 2!
Step 2 - Optional Ri66ing:
If you chose an edging other than “Regular Ribbing” you might want to do abit of ribbing (1x1 or 2x2) here for an inch or so- especially with the ruffled edge. If you're Blackhearted it won't show anyway. Make sure you do a couple rows of stockinette too, before continuing to Step 3. If you want to skip this just knit in stockinette for 1 inch or til you're feeling like it's time for the hearts. Then continue to Step 3!
Step 3 - The Heart:
Here's where that whole “choose your own adventure" thing becomes a big lie. Repeat the chart four times around. But you could use beads instead of yarn overs if you're feeling adventurous. Or make a different number of hearts by changing the spacing.
This heart is upside-down for yourcuff down knitting pleasure. If you convert the pattern to toe-up which, btw, would be very easy to do) then flip the chart over. Or make upside-down hearts, which might be interesting.
Step 4 - The Leg and Heel
Knit in stockinette until the leg measures 6" or desired length, then make a heel!
Heel Flap:
Your heel flap willconsist of 32 of the 64 stitches. Pick a heel stitch from the choices below and get knitting!
Slip Stitch Rib:
Row 1: \*sl 1, $\mathsf{k}\mathsf{1}^{\star}$ repeat across Row 2: sl 1, purl across Knit these two rows a total of 16 times (32 rows), then proceed to Heel Turn and Gusset. Stockinette: Row 1: sl 1, knit across Row 2: sl 1, purl across Knit these two rows a total of 16 times (32 rows), then proceed to Heel Turn and Gusset. Eye of Partridge: Row 1: \*sl 1, k1\* repeat across Row 2: sl 1, purl across Row3: sl 2, $\star|\star|$ ,sl $1^{\star}$ across ending with k2 Row 4: sl 1, purl across Knit these four rows a total of 8 times (32 rows), then proceed to Heel Turn and Gusset.
Heel Turn and Gusset:
Row 1: k 19, ssk, k1, turn Row 2: sl 1, p 7, p2tog, p1, turn Row 3: sl 1, knit to one stitch before gap, ssk, k1, turn Row 4: sl 1, purl to one stitch before gap, p2tog, p1, turn Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all stitches have been worked, but do not slip first stitch on last purl row. Knit across and pick up 17 gusset sts, knit across instep, and pick up 17 sts on the other side of the gusset. The beginning of the round is now located at the center of the heel. Decrease gusset stitches until 32 sts remain, as follows. Round 1: Knit to 3 stitches before instep, k2tog k1, knit across instep, k1 ssk. Round 2: Knit.
Step 5 - The Foot and Toe:
Knit in stockinette until the foot is approximately 2 inches shorter than your desired finished length. Pick your toe and begin toe shaping: WedgeToe: Row 1: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts on instep needle(s), k2tog, k1. K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts on sole needle(s), k2tog, k1. Row 2: Knit Knit these two rows 6 times (40 total stitches remain) then repeat Row 1 5 more times (20 total stitches remain). Cut yarn leaving a long tail, graft stitches to close toe and weave in ends. Star Toe: Round 1: Knit around increasing two stitches evenly spaced. Round 2: $\star_{\mathsf{k}9}$ , k2tog\* repeat around Rounds 3 and 4: Knit Round 5: $\mathbf{^{\star}k8}$ , k2tog\* repeat around Rounds 6 and 7: Knit Round 8: $\mathbf{*}\mathbf{k}7$ , k2tog\* repeat around Rounds 9 and 10: Knit Round 11: $^{\star}{\sf k}6$ , k2tog\* repeat around Round 12: Knit Round 13: $\cdot{\sf k5}$ , k2tog\* repeat around Round 14: Knit Round 15: $\cdot\mathsf{k}4$ , k2tog\* repeat around Round 16: Knit Round 17: $\star_{{\sf k}3}$ , k2tog\* repeat around Round 18: $\cdot\,\mathsf{k}\,2$ , k2tog\* repeat around Round 19: $\bf{\hat{\mu}}k_{\tau}$ , k2tog\* repeat around Round 20: \*k2tog\* repeat around - 6 stitches remain. Cut yarn leaving an $8^{\ast}$ tail. Pull through remaining stitches twice and to inside of sock, weave in ends.
