Elonpolkuja - Trails of Life
Long lasting relationships are like the cables in these socks: periods of tight interwining are followed by living separately but still together, heading to the same direction.
Yarn
one skein of Vuorelman Veto ( $85\,\%$ wool, $15\,\%$ polyamid; $260\;\mathrm{m}\,/\;100\;\mathrm{g})$ or any other yarn that fits the gauge. Gauge 26 sts and 34 rows in stockinette $=10$ cm
Needles
set of 5 double pointed needles, $2{,}5\;\mathrm{mm}$ (or suitable to obtain the gauge) cable needle or one extra dpn if desired for cable twists The pattern can easily be knitted with $80\;\mathrm{cm}$ or longer circular needle in magic loop if preferred.
Size
To fit an average adult woman's foot.
Instructions
Cast on 56 sts and distribute evenly between 4 needles $\mathit{\Theta}=14$ sts on each needle) or on each side of the circular deedle (28 sts on each side). Join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist. Start working according to the chart: each chart row is repeated twice in each round. Work set up rows S1 and S2 only at the beginning of the work. Work chart rows 1-28. Continue working chart rows 1-14 again (or if you prefer a longer leg, work two full repeats of the chart; in this case you'll have interwined cables in the lower center part of the heel).
Heel
Move sts from the second needle to the first needle: heel flap is worked forth and back with the first 28 sts of the work. Slip the first stitch of each row of the hee flap. Work the chart rows 15-28 and then rows 1-10, or rows 1-24 if you have worked two full repeats of the chart in the leg ( $\stackrel{\cdot}{=}$ altogether 24 rows). Start the French heel decreases: 1. row [RS]: sll, k15, ssk, kl, turn work 2. row [WS]: sll, p5, p2tog, pl, turn work 3. row [RS]: sll, k6, ssk, kl, turn work 4. row [WS]: sll, p7, p2tog, pl, turn work 5. row [RS]: sl1, k8, ssk, k1, turn work 6. row [WS]: sll, p9, p2tog, p1, turn work 7. row [RS]: sll, k10, ssk, k1, turn work 8. row [WS]: sll, pll, p2tog, pl, turn work 9. row [RS]: sll, k12, ssk, k1, turn work 10. row [WS]: sll, p13, p2tog, pl, turn work 11. row [RS]: sll, k14, ssk, turn work 12. row [WS]: sll, p14, p2tog, turn work $\langle=16$ sts remaining)
Gusset
Using a free needle pick up 12 sts along the right hand side of the heel flap and knit 8 sts of the heel $\langle=20$ sts). Using another needle pick up 12 sts along the left hand side of the heel flap, move the last 8 sts of the heel to the same needle and knit all sts $\langle=20$ sts). Work chart row 11 (or row 1 if you worked two full repeats of the chart in the leg) on needles 1 and 2 and knit allsts on needle 3 and 4. Next round: Work according to the chart on needles 1-2 and knit the sts on needles 3 and 4. Knit to last 2 sts on needle 4, k2tog. Work according to the chart on needles 1 and 2. Ssk and knit on needle 4. Work the next round without decreases. Repeat these two rounds until 13 sts remain On needles 3 and 4 ( $\equiv$ altogether 54 sts remaining).
Instep
Stitches on needles 3 and 4 are knit in stockinette and on needles 1-2 according to the chart until foot measures approximately $5\;\mathrm{{cm}}$ less than the desired length. On the last round of the instep decrease altogether 2 sts on needles 1 and 2 on appropriate sites (e.g. knit two center stitches of the 4-stitch cable together).
Ssk and knit the sts on needles 1 and 3; knit to last 2 sts, k2 tog on needles 2 and 4. Repeat decreases in every other round for five times and after that in every round until altogether 16 sts remain. Slip the first 8 sts of the round on the same needle and the last 8 sts on another needle. Graft the sts on the first needle to the sts on the second needle.
Weave in ends. Block the socks if you like.
knit (purl in WS of heel flap) purl (knit in WS of heel flap) sl1 to cable needle and hold to back, k2, p1 from cable needle sl2 to cable needle and hold to front, p1, k2 from cable needle sl2 to cable needle and hold to back, k2, k2 from cable needle sl2 to cable needle and hold to front, k2, k2 from cable needle
