POINTILLISM: The Socks o by Deborah Tomasello
Featuring Cat Bordhi's innovative, new Sweet Tomato Heel! Size: Woman's Medium-Large Child's Medium (6-9 yrs) Materials: For woman's sock: 1 ball each of any 6 KnitPicks Palette colors. The pattern chart reflects the colors used in the cover photo “Rainbow" sock. (Only partial balls will be needed.) For child's sock: 1 ball each of any 4 KnitPicks Palette colors. This pattern reflects the colors used in the child's sock on the cover photo. (Only partial balls will be needed.) One long circular needle, two circular needles, or 5 DPNs, size#3 or whatever size gives you the correct gauge working in the round; two stitch markers; tapestry needle Gauge: 34 stitches and 34 rounds = 4". NOTE: Remember that stranded knitting yields a denser fabric that fits more snugly. If you prefer a looser sock, consider going up one needle size. As written, the leg circumference of the woman’s sock is about 8.25'", and the circumference of the child's sock is about 6".
Abbreviations:
K2TOG= knit 2 stitches together SSK= slip one stitch, then slip the next. Insert left needle into the front loops of the slipped stitches and knit them together from this position
Instructions:
Socks are worked top-down.
LEG: Woman's sock
With circular needle or DPNs, CO 64 sts using Serrano (16 sts on each of 4 DPNs). Join to work in round, placing marker and being careful not to twist stitches. Knit 15 rounds 2x2 rib. Follow CHART A (8 repeats per round-- two 8-stitch pattern repeats per needle) for 49 rounds. Last leg row will be a solid color (Serrano). Rearrange sts on this round as you go, setting up for the heel as follows: knit 16 sts on first needle plus 5 more from second needle. This gives you 21 sts on the first needle. Now, on next needle knit 11 stitches. On third needle, knit 11 stitches and move the last 5 sts to the 4" needle. Knit those 5 plus the 16 already on needle 4 for a total of 21 sts on needle 4. Needle 1 has 21 sts Needle 2 has 11 sts Needle 3 has 11 sts Needle 4 has 21 sts. every 3 or 4 sts. on socks so toes don't get caught when putting on the sock!
HEEL: Woman's and child's sock
No more gussets! This pattern features Cat Bordhi's ingenious Sweet Tomato Heel (STH). Cat Bordhi developed her STH over many months, working closely with over a hundred test knitters of all skill levels. During this time she distilled her illustrations and explanations again and again, until her test knitters and tech editor agreed the instructions were as clear and perfect as possible. In order to be sure that her work is not misrepresented, Cat asks that designers who wish to use her heel in their patterns send their readers directly to her free videos as well as to purchasing links for her eBook, Cat's Sweet Tomato Heel Socks (\$20), and to the eBook's individual patterns (\$6 each). She is encouraged that many knitters have been able to work from the free videos alone; if not, the eBook or individual patterns will give you the detailed instructions, illustrations, and explanations you need. Links: (Copy and paste into your web browser.) Video: Sweet Tomato Heel: http://tinyurl.com/4x4xmp2 Video: Padded Sweet Tomato Heel: http://tinyurl.com/3dayxlt purchase eBook: http://catbordhi.com/books/cats-sweet-tomato-heel-socks-3/ To purchase individual patterns: http://catbordhi.com/category/patterns/socks/ Once you understand Cat Bordhi's STH, proceed with sock. Follow Cat Bordhi's heel instructions, knitting heel with Jay. Work three wedges on the 42 sts. Work wedges leaving 8 stitch pairs on each side (10 heel sts left unpaired between pairs). Continue knitting with Serrano across the front stitches between wedges.
FOOT: Woman's sock
Working all sts on circular needle or split evenly on DPNs as with leg, 16 sts per needle, pick up pattern with round 2 on chart, 2 pattern repeats per needle for 8 pattern repeats per round. Continue to work color pattern according to CHART A for through round 49.
TOE: Woman's sock
Using Serrano, decrease for toe as follows: Needle 1: K to last 3 sts of NEEDLE 1, K2TOG, K1 Needle 2: K 1, SSK, knit until the last 3 stitches of NEEDLE 3 Needle 3: K to last 3 sts, K2TOG, K1 Needle 4: K1, SSK knit to last 3 sts of NEEDLE 1 Repeat this until there are 8 sts left on each needle. Place sts from needles 4 and 1 onto one needle (16sts). Place sts from needles 2 and 3 onto another needle (16 sts). Graft the remaining stitches together using Kitchener st, and weave in all ends. Finishing: Tie and weave in or trim all color change ends at beginning and ends of rounds. Wash and block to fit.
LEG: Child's sock
With circular needle or 3 DPNs, CO 48 sts using Marine Heather (16 sts on each DPN). Join to work in round, placing marker and being careful not to twist stitches. Knit 8 rounds 2x2 rib. Follow CHART B (6 repeats per round -two 8-stitch pattern repeats per needle) for 23 rounds. Last leg row will be a solid color (Sky). You will be knitting the heel on needles 1 and 3, needle two will be holding the 16 instep sts, and you will only knit across them between wedges. NOTE: Remember to create floats every 3 or 4 sts. on socks so toes don't get caught when putting on the sock! HEEL: See Cat Bordhi's Sweet Tomato Heel instructions above.
FOOT: Child's sock
Working all sts on circular needle or split evenly on DPNs as with leg, 16 sts per needle for two pattern repeats per needle. Continue to work color pattern according to CHART C to end.
TOE: Child's sock
Using Verdant Heather, decrease for toe as follows: Move sts to 4 DPNS, 12 sts per needle Needle 1: K to last 3 sts of NEEDLE 1, K2TOG, K1 Needle 2: K 1, SSK, knit until the last 3 stitches of NEEDLE 3 Needle 3: K to last 3 sts, K2TOG, K1 Needle 4: K1, SSK knit to last 3 sts of NEEDLE 1 Repeat this until there are 6 sts left on each needle. Place sts from needles 4 and 1 onto one needle (12 sts). Place sts from needles 2 and 3 onto another needle (12 sts). Graft the remaining stitches together using Kitchener st, and weave in all ends. Finishing: Tie and weave in or trim all color change ends at beginning and ends of rounds. Wash and block to fit.
KnitPicks Palette colors for woman's sock:
KnitPicks Palette colors for child's sock:
