JUSTAROUNDTHECORNER By: Sarah Jane Dunlop
I saw the sun coming out, said Frog. Isaw birds sitting and singing in a tree. Isaw my mother and father working in their garden. I saw flowers in their garden. You found it!" cried Toad. "Yes, said Frog. Iwas very happy. Ihad found the corner that spring was just around" -- Frog and Toad All Year, Arnold Lobel
Supplies:
2.5mm dpns (or whichever size you need to achieve gauge) 50g fingering weight sock yarn (I used Fortissima Socka superwash wool) Darning needle Gauge: 16 stitches and 21 rows = 2" square in stockinette stitch
SPECIAL STITCHES
TWISTED RIB PATTERN
\*k1 tbl, purl 1\* repeat to end of round X2R \~ Insert the right needle into next two stitches as if to knit two together. Knit two together but do not slide off left needle. Insert right needle into first stitch on left needle now and knit this stitch and then slide both off the left needle together forming atwist. X2L \~ Insert the right needle through the back loop of the second stitch on the left needle. Knit this stitch through the back loop but do not slide stitch off the needle. Bring your right needle around to the front of your work and insert into the first stitch on your left needle. Knit this stitch and slide both this and the stitch you knit through the back loop off the left needle at the same time. - A good demo of these two stitches can be seen at http://newstitchaday.com/right-twist-stitch/ http://newstitchaday.com/left-twist-stitch/
\*\*Note: each sock begins in the same manner then you will switch to the specific foot pattern once you have completed turning the heel
Cast on 64 stitches Divide onto four needles and join in the round. Work 4 rows of twisted rib stitch
Heel Flap:
1st row - Slip 1st stitch of next round, knit 31, leave remaining 32 stitches on spare needle and just work back and forth on the 32 stitches just worked. Next row - \*sl 1, p1\* repeat to end Repeat these two rows for a total of 32 rows
Turn heel:
Row 14: Sl1, p15, p2tog, p1, turn work. 18 sts remain.
Gusset:
\*\*Here is where you willfollow either the left or right foot pattern LEFT FOOT PATTERN: Rounds 1, 2, 3 and 5: k19,p2, k3, p2, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1 Round 4: k19, p2, k3, p2, k1, p1, X2R, p1, k1 Round 6: k19, p2, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, p2, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1 RIGHT FOOT PATTERN: Rounds 1, 2, 3, and 5: k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p2, k3, p2, knit to end Round 4: k1, p1, X2L, p1, k1, p2, k3, p2, knit to end Round 6: k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p2, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, p2, knit to end Round 1: Using Needle 1, knit remaining 9 sts of heel flap, pick up and knit 16 sts along side edge of heel flap, using Needles 2 and 3 complete row one of the appropriate pattern for the foot you are working on, using Needle 4, pick up and knit 16 along side edge of heel flap, knit remaining 9 sts of heel flap. k16 tbl; work Round 2 of pattern over sts on Needles 2 and 3; k16 tbl, k9 Round 3: K to end of Needle 1; work next round of pattern over sts on Needles 2 and 3; kto end of Needle 4. Round 4: K to last 2 sts of Needle 1, k2tog; work next round of pattern over sts on Needles 2 and 3; ssk, k to end of Needle 4. Repeat Rounds 3 and 4 until there are 64 stitches remaining.
Foot:
Continue foot by knitting all stitches on needle 1 and 4 and following the appropriate pattern as set on needles 2 and 3 until foot measures 1 1/2" from desired finished length.
Toe:
Round 1 - Needle 1: knit to 3 stitches before the end, k2 tog, k1 Needle 2: k1, ssk, knit to end Needle 3: same as needle 1 Needle 4 : same as needle 2 Round 2 - Knit all stitches. Repeat these two rows until 20 stitches remain, knit next five stitches, place stitches on two needles and graft together. There are lots of great tutorials and videos on the Internet that provide instructions on how to graft (kitchener stitch). My favourite is from Knitty's Summer 2004 "Techniques with Theresa" article, which can be found at: http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/FEATtheresasum04.html. Darn in ends and wait for spring to arrive. Surely it's just around the corner!
