"Swirling Confetti" Kids' Socks
For Children In Common (http://childrenincommon.org) or other charity knitting Copyright Jean Gifford - June 30, 2006 For free distribution only
Materials: Yarn (high percentage of animal fiber) and needles to make a firm fabric of 6-7 stitches per inch. For charity purposes, exact gauge is not important, as every pair of socks will fit some child. The multicolored sock pictured was made with 2 strands of fingering weight yarn held together (a great way to use up scraps!) and the solid colored sock was make with DK weight yarn (about 60 grams yarn per pair). Both socks were knitted on US size 3 needles (3.25 mm). The pattern is based on “rounds"' instead of specific lengths. If you follow the instructions, you should get a sock that is proportionately child-sized. The feet on the socks pictured are 6 - 6 1/2 inches long. The instructions are written assuming 2 circular needles, with the heel stitches grouped together on one needle and the instep stitches on another. The socks can just as easily be worked on 4 or 5 double point needles. Cast on 40 stitches, put half the stitches on each needle and join, being careful not to twist stitches. The first set of 20 stitches is for the heel, the second set o 20 stitches is for the instep. Work 14 rounds of either K1P1 ribbing or K2P2 ribbing Knit one round, increasing one stitch at the center of the instep needle (21 stitches on instep needle) Pattern stitch: K4, Pl around and around. The single purled stitch will change position in each round, creating the Swirling Confetti pattern. Work 25 rounds in pattern stitch, ending with the instep needle. Working only with the 20 stitches on the heel needle,
Heel Flap:
Row 1: Sl 1, K 1 across row Row 2: Sl 1 ,p 18, K1 Repeat these two rows 9 more times, for a total of 20 heel flap rows.
Turning the heel:
Row 1: Sl 1, K 11, ssk, K 1, turnRow 2: Sl 1, P 5, P2tog, P 1, turnRow 3: Sl 1, K6, ssk, K 1, turnRow 4: Sl 1, P 7, P2tog, P 1, turnRow 5: Sl 1, K 8, ssk, K 1, turnRow 6: Sl 1, P 9, P2tog, P 1, turnRow 7: Sl 1, K 10, ssk, turnRow 8: Sl 1, P 10, P2tog, turnRow 9: Sl 1, K 11
Forming the Gussets:
Using the heel needl, pickup 10 stitches along the side ofthe heel flap, then pick up one stitch at the corner where the heel flap joins the instep. Using the instep needle, work across the 21 instep stitches continuing in the swirling pattern stitch as established. Return to the heel needle and pick up one stitch where the instep joins the heel flap, then pick up 10 stitches along the side of the heel flap. There will be a total of 34 stitches on the heel needle. (From this point, work the heel needle in stockinette stitch (knit every round) and the instep needle in the swirling pattern.) Knit across the heel stitches and down the side of the gusset to the last stitch on the heel needle. Knit this stitch “twisted'. Work across the instep needle in pattern. Back on the heel needle, knit the first stitch “twisted", knit up the side of the gusset (10 stitches) then knit across 6 more stitches to the center of the heel needle. Place a marker.
Gusset Decreases:
Round 1: Knit to last 3 stitches of heel needle, K2tog, K1. Work across instep needle in pattern. K1 stitch on heel needle, ssk, knit to marker. Round 2: Knit to end of heel needle, work across instep needle in pattern, knit across heel needle to marker. Repeat these two rounds until there are 20 stitches on the heel needle.
Foot:
Work even, knitting across the heel needle stitches and working across the instep needle in pattern for a TOTAL of 38 rows past the heel shaping (22 rows past the gusset decreases). A row or two more or less won't matter, so if your count gets off slightly, don't be too concerned. On the last round, decrease one stitch at center of instep needle (back to 20 stitches on each needle)
Toe Shaping:
Decrease round: Knit to last 3 stitches of heel needle, K2tog, K1. On instep needle, K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches of instep needle, K2tog, K1. On heel needle, K1, ssk, knit to marker. Knit 2 rounds even. Work Decrease Round. Knit 2 rounds even. Work Decrease Round K one round Work Decrease Round K one round Work Decrease Round TWICE Knit across remaining stitches on heel needle. There should be 8 stitches on each needle. Slip the end stitches on each needle over the next stitch in. Graft the remaining toe stitches together using the Kitchener Stitch. Weave in ends.
