BASEBALL SOCKS (STRANDED PATTERN WITH PINSTRIPES)
BY MEREDITH DAVEY This is agreaittt ftutaalfak at tiz are ize woman who wears a size 8 shoe ora child who wears a size 6 shoe (with a footapproximately $9\%$ inches long) and a smaller size for a woman who wears size $5\,^{1}\!/\!_{2}$ shoe or a child who wears a size 4 shoe (with a foot approximately $8\%$ inches long).
I have included stitch patterns for 26 of the 30 Major League Baseballteams. (They are shown at the end.) Unfortunately, the logos for the Seattle Mariners, Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Houston Astros are too complex to fit into a $10\mathrm{~x~}14$ stitch space. You will note that allof the logos are upside down; this is deliberate. This is a top-down sock patten, so you willfollow the chart from bottom to top (this will make sense once you start knitting. I have also included a blank grid, if you would like to design and knit thelogo of your favorite minor league or lile league team. (Just remember to design the logo upside down.)
Sock yarn fingering weight in the your teamcolors.Get sockyarn specificalli typicallknits at about 3 stitches / inches, and is about $75\%$ wooland $25\%$ nylon. You willneed approximately 400 yads (2-50 gram skeins) of your main color MC), 400 yards (250 gram skeins f your contrast color (CC),and 400 yards (250 gram skeins) of your second contrast color (CC2),if your team's sock has three colors. The list of team yarn colors is as ollows: Chicago Cubs: (MC)-White, (CC)-Blue, (CC2)-Red New York Mets: (MC)-White, (CC)-Bright Blue, (CC2)-Orange Philadelphia Phillies: (MC)-White, (CC)-Red Colorado Rockies: (MC)-White, (CC)-Purple Minnesota Twins: (MC)-White, (CC) Dark Blue, (CC2)-Red New York Yankees: (MC)-White, (CC)-Dark Blue Chicago White Sox: (MC)-White, (CC)-Black ·A set of five Size O $\left(2\;\mathrm{mm}\right)$ double-pointed (DP) needles for the larger size, a set of five Size 000 $\mathrm{\left\lfloor.5\mm\right\rangle}$ doublepointed D ndle f e sall size or th sizeeceary tbtain the prpr gaue Th gae is discussed below.) Four stitch markers (for marking stitches along needles) One detachable stitch marker (to mark the beginning of your row. I often use a paper clip or a safety pin for this.) Waste yarn (for knitting the hel flap and testing sock size) Blunt tapestry needl (not shown)
Stitch gauge:
Using the long-tail cast-on (or whichever cast-on you prefer),cast on 30 stitches and knit a swatch at least $2^{\circ}$ long. Measure theumber of stitche in twoiches.You should have20 stitches/2 inches forthelrger size, stitches/2 inches for the smaller size. The correct gauge is very important for a proper fit.
Instructions:
Casting On:
Make a slip knot approximately 1 yard into CC yarn $\cdot$ Hook your slip knot over two DP needles. Using the long-tal cast-on over two DP needles (or whichever cast-on you prefer), cast on 80 stitches.
Knitting the Cuff:
Distribute your 80 stitches evenly over 4 needles (20 stitches to a needle). Forming the needles into a circle, join the stitches in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches (otherwise you will end up with a mobius sock $\circledast$ ).Attach your detachable stitch marker at the beginning of your row, to keep track. Move this marker down as you work, so you do not get confused. Begin knitting in the following pattern: $*\mathrm{l}_{\xi2}$ $\mathrm{p}2^{*}$ , repeat until the end of the row. Continue this $2\mathbf{x}2$ ribbing for 5 more rows (6 rows total). After cmle thrbn, k nreae wreai tnf stch frm t96.ths the following pattermn: $\ast\mathrm{k}5$ ， $M1*$ , repeat until the end of the row. Once you increase your stitch count to 96, rearrange your stitches onto 3 needes, with 32 stitches on each needle. Place a stitch marker 16 stitches in on each needle. Your knitting should now be divided into six equal sections of 16 stitches each. You have now reached the logo pattern! Find your logo pattern (cut it out and tape it to a small piece of cardboard if you need to) and be prepared to follow it. This next row willstart at Row 2 of your logo pattern. If necessary, your logo may call for MC (and/or CC2) at this point. When you find you have to add an additional color(s), be sure to strand the non-knitted color along the back fairly loosely. Your knitting should lie flat (it should not pucker), and you should be able to stretch the stranded knitting slightly beyond its normal knitted tension. Try not to let any one strand hang loose for longer than 3-6 stitches. In those cases, wrap the stranded yarn with the knitted yarn, so the loose threads stay close to the fabric.
An example of stranding in the cuff along the inside (wrong side) of the fabric. Notice that the MC (orange) is twisted in every 3-6 stitches. Knit the next few rows as follows: \*Knit Row 2 of logo pattern, k4 of $\mathrm{CC*}$ , repeat until the end of the row (a total of six times). This is a 16- stitch repeat, and should end either at a stitch marker or the end of a needle. ·Knit Rows 3-15 of the logo pattern in a similar fashion: \*knit row of logo pattern, $\mathrm{k4}$ of $\mathrm{CC*}$ , repeat until the end of the row. As you knit Row 16, decrease to 93 stitches as follows: $*_{\mathrm{k}30}$ of CC, $\mathrm{k}2\mathrm{tog^{*}}$ , repeat until the end of the row. There will be three repeats total, one per needle. Your final cuff should look something like this:
After youhave finished the cuff, now wouldbe a good time to check that your sock willactually fit.tarting from the frst tithfw, teadallfyr sttywasteun testyrytltf over yoeland anItmiht lit suor yuheut th pnt is it shlftfit is th $\circledast$ (do not worry, this has happened tome too), try another gauge swatch on largerneeds with 8 stitches/2 inches for th larger size, or 20 stitches / 2 inches for the smallr size. Then go back to \*Casting $\mathrm{On}^{\mathfrak{s}}$ and try again. If it does fit,re thread your kniting back onto your needls and move onto the leg.
Knitting the Leg:
Start from the beginning of the round and knit as follows: 1. Start with Row 1 of your team logo. \*knit team logo (over 12 stitches), pm, [k3 MC, $\mathsf{k}\,1\,\,\mathrm{CC}]\times4$ ， $\mathbf{k}3\;\mathrm{MC^{*}}$ , repeat until the end of the row. There will be three repeats total, one per needle. (If you have a CC2, strand it behind the pinstripe pattern.) 2. Knit Rows 2-16 of your team logo in the same manner. 3. Repeat Steps 1. and 2. thre more times, for a total of 4 repeats in the leg (see picture).
Knitting the Heel Flap:
At the end of your fourth repeat of the leg team logo pattern, start the heel flap. Rearrange your stitches as follows: ●Needl 1 (including the first team logo): 30 stitches. Remove the stitch marker from this needle. · Needle 4: 18 stitches Set aside the removable stitch marker for now. Put the remaining 45 stitches on waste yarn. The heel flap begins as follows: If you have a CC2 strand, cut it at this point with a 4-inch tail. Knit Row 1 of the first team logo, then $\boldsymbol{\mathrm{k}}\boldsymbol{1}\boldsymbol{8}$ of MC (to the end of Needle 1). For this first row, strand CC behind MC up to this point (you will need it in a minute). · Combine allstitches not on the waste yarn onto one needle. (While working the hee flp, you should only need two needles.) Cut your MC, leaving a 4-inch tail. Turn your work and purl back with CC for 48 stitches (these should be all of your live stitches). Using CC, work the heel flap using the “Eye of the Partrige” technique (which looks little like k1, p1 ribbing): 1. $\ast_{\mathrm{sll}}$ ， $^{\,1\ast}$ , repeat until the end of the row. Turn. 2. Sl1, p to end of row. Turn. 3. Repeat Steps 1. and 2. twenty-four times, for a total of forty-eight rows. 4. Repeat Step 1. one final time. Your final heel flap willok something like this:
Turning the Heel:
Knit as follows: 1.With C, sl1,22, ptg, ptog, , tunyour work to start knitting in the opposite diretion (ys, Iw you are in the middle of the row). 2.You should now be loking at the knit side. Sl1, attach MC, k1 MC,k1 CC, ssk MC,k1 MC,turn your work. 3. You now should be looking at the purl sid. Il1,pl MC, pl CC, p2tog MC, pl MC, turn your work. 4. You now should be looking at the knit side. Sl1, k1 MC, k1 CC, k1 MC, sk MC, k1 MC, turn your work. 5. You now should be looking at the purl side. Sl1, p2 MC, p1 CC, p1 MC, p2tog MC, p1 MC, turn your work. 6. You now should be looking at the knit side. Sl1, k2 MC, k1 CC, k2 MC, sk MC, k1 CC, turn your work. 7. You now should be loking at the purl side. Sl1,p3 MC, p1 CC,p2 MC, p2tog MC, p1 C, turn your work. 8. You now should be looking at the knit side. Sl1, k3 MC, k1 CC,k3 MC, ssk CC, k1 MC, turn your work. 9. Younw shuldbling at thepur id.Conting the-stthC, 1-titchCC pat, sl,purl oe stchettsts tewtthis work. 10.Younw shulbig at thkit idContiing th stitchM, 1-stitchCC patt, sl, kit l one sthoreaith sts s tptw)k acrs tis work.
The "gap" in heel turning as you pur.
11. Repeat Steps 9. and 10. until there are no stches left, ending with an 10. Towards the end, you will probablyhave todoa ptog or ssk at the edof the row; this is fine. In the end, you willhave5 stitch of MC, CC pinstripes on your needles. Congratulations! You have successfully turned a heel!
Knitting the Foot:
Knitting the foot consists of several parts. When you pick up your stitches around the heel, you will find you have many more stches than the number you need to go around your fot. Therefore, you wil decreae these extra stitches out in gussets. At the same time, you will begin working the arch-shaped, fitted portion along the bottom of the foot. (All of this, of course, while you are continuing the logo repeats fo the remaining two columns $\circledast$ 一
Knit as follows:
1. Move the stitches held on the waste yarn to a new needle, removing waste yarn. 2. Starting from the end of your turned heel, use a new needle to pick up and $\mathrm{k}26$ stitches along the side of the heel flap, continuing the 3-stitch MC, 1-stitch CC pattern you already have in the hel . This should end up with a 3-stitch MC adjoining the CC edge of the team logo. The final stitch between the heel flap and the stitches from the waste yarn may become loose, so twist this “corner” stitch once or twice before knitting it (see picture below).
An example of the picked-up heel flap stitches 3. Knit the first stitch from the waste yarn and transfer it to the previous needle, so all of your MC, CC pinstripe pattern stitches are on the same needle. 4. Knit the stitches formerly on the waste yarn as follows (if necessry, re-attach CC2): Knit Row 1 of team logo (this should be a continuation of the previous column), pm, [k3 MC, $\mathsf{k}\boldsymbol{1}\mathrm{~CC}\rvert\times4$ $\mathrm{k}3\,\mathrm{MC}$ $\mathrm{pm}$ ,knit Row 1 of team logo (this should be a continuation of the previous column), k1 MC. 5. Use another new needle to pick up and $\mathtt{k26}$ stitches along the final side of the heel flap, mirroring the 3- stitch MC, 1-stitch CC pattern on the other side of theheel flap. Since the first stitch between theheelflap and the stitches from the waste yarn maybecome loose,twist this corner stith once or twice before knitting it, as you did with the other corner stitch. Transfer the final stitch of the stitches formerly on the waste yarn (the only MC stitch after the second team logo) onto this needle. 6.You should now have four needles with stitches. Knit twelve stitches into the next needle (this should line up with the center of the heel) and rearrange your needles as follows: ·●Needle 1: 40 stitches (from rough heel center to beginning of first team logo) Needle 2: 22 stitches from beginning of first team logo to rough center of top of foot, also called the instep) ●Needle 3: 21 stitches (from rough center of instep to end of second team logo) Needle 4: 39 stitches from end of second team logo to rough heel center) 7. Place your detachable stitch marker lined up with the first stitch of Needle 1 (at heel center). (The stitch should be a pinstripe knit in CC.) This is where your row will start from now. 8. To decrease your gusset: a. First row: Needle 1: Knit the MC, CC pinstripe pattern to one stitch from the end of the needle. Slip the last stitch to Needle 2. Needle 2: K2tog within pattern (so that the pinstripe pattern stitch disappears behind the team logo pattern). Finish team logo pattern. [K3 MC, $\mathrm{k}1\;\mathrm{CC}]\times2$ ， $\mathrm{k}2\,\mathrm{MC}$ Needle 3: K1 MC, [k1 CC, $\mathrm{k}3\;\mathrm{MC}]\times2$ Knit first 11 stithes of team logo. Slip last stitch of team logo knitwise. Slip first stitch of Needle 4 to Needle 3 knitwise. Knit these two together through the back of the loop,like ssk so that the pinstripe pattern stitch disappears behind the team logo pattern). Needle 4: Knit the MC, CC pinstripe pattern. b. Second row: Knit, following pattern.
9.Knit six rows of gusset decreases (Steps 8. a. and b.) before you start to include the arch shaping. The arch shaping ocurs on the underside of the foot and creates abias stitch that causes the sock to hug the arch of your foot in a way that store-bought socks never do $\circledcirc$ . Knit the arch shaping as follows: a. Knit the seventh row of gusset decrease until five stitches from the end of Needle 4. Pm, k2tog CC, k3 MC (you should be at the end of Needle 4), M1 CC. b. At the beginning of Needle 1, k1 CC (your center bottom stitch), M1 CC, k3 MC, ssk CC, pm. C.Continue knitting the next row of your gusset decrease (this willbe Row 8. b.). When you come back to the bottom, knit straight through on Nedes 4 and 1 continuing yournew pinstripe patten in the appropriate colors. d.Continue knitting the next row of your gusset decrease (this willbe Row 8. a.), until one stitch before the marker on Neede 4. Move marker one stitch to the right by slipping stitches. K2tog CC, k3 MC, k1 CC, M1 MC. At the beginning of Needle 1, k1 CC, M1 MC, k1 CC, k3 MC, ssk CC, moving the marker to just after the ssk stitch. e. Knit Step c. again.
Move marker to the right one stitch, and k2tog.
Work to one stitch before the marker, ssk, moving the marker to the leff. f. Continue knitting the next row of your gusset decrease (this will be Row 8. a.), until one stitch before the marker on Needle 4. Move marker one stitch to the right by slipping stitches. K2tog CC, k3 MC, k1 CC, k1 MC, M1 MC. At the beginning of Needle 1, k1 CC, M1 MC, k1 MC, k1 CC, k3 MC, ssk CC, moving the marker to just after the ssk stitch. g· Knit Step c. again. h. Continue knitting the next row of your gusset decrease (this will be Row 8. a.), until one stitch before the marker on Needle 4. Move marker one stitch to the right by slipping stitches. K2tog CC, knit the pinstripe pattern that is emerging to the end of the needle, M1 of the appropriate yarn color to continue the patte. At the beginning of Nedl 1,k1 CC, M1 of the appropriate yarn color to continue the patte, knit the pinstrie patrn that is emerging to one stitchefore th marker, ssk CC, moving the marker to just after the ssk stitch. (See pictures above.) i.Continue Steps g. and h. until you can count 20 stitches between your center bottom stitch and your markers. (You willfinish your arch shaping before you finish your gusset decreases.) 10. Continue a and b in Step 8. until you have decreased to82 stitches total, removing stitch markers when appropriate. 11. After you finish the gusset dreases, continue knitting thefoot ver the 2 stitches util youhave add another four repeats of the team logo patten. There should be nine repeats total along the two long columns: one in the cuff $^+$ four in the $\log^{+}$ four in the foot. Finish your final row at the bottom of the foot, at the end of Needle 4.
Knitting the Toe:
Toevenut yu titches, shift one stithfrmNe 2 toNeed 1 andone stith fromeede toNede 4 y, I know we have just stolen stitches from the team logos!l) You should now have as follows: Needle 1: 21 stitches Needle 2: 21 stitches Needle 3: 20 stitches . Needle 4: 20 stitches Continue your patte until the nd ofNed 1, making sure toknit the last stitch in CC,asi is part of the team logo column. Cut your MC (and posibly CC2) yarn, leaving a4-inch tail. Move your detachable stitch marker tobetween Needl 1 and Needle 2, as our round wil now be starting from here. Startin from Needle 2, and using only C, knit the following decreases: 1. Knit entire row. 2. Knit as follows: ■ Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit to end. ■ Needle 3: Knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1. ■ Needle 4: K1, ssk, knit to end. ■ Needle 1: Knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1. 3. Repeat Steps 1. and 2. until 42 stitches remain. 4. Repeat Step 2. until 22 stitches remain. Slip the stitches from Needle 3 to Needle 2, and the stitches from Needle 4 to Needle 1. You should have two needles with 11 stitches each. Cut the CC yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread the 12-inch tail onto the tapestry needle and use the Kitchener Stitch se the box above) to graft the toe. Afterwards, turn the sock inside out and use the tapestry needle to weave in any remaining loose ends, remembering to pull the associated stitches tight. Photographs by Laurel Rachmeler, Meredith Davey, and Pamela Batchelor.
1. Pass the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit. Drop that stitch off the needle and pull the yarn through. 2. Slide the tapestry needle through the next stitch on the front needle as if to purl. Leave this stitch on the needle.
3. Pass the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the back needle as if to purl. Drop that stitch off the needle and pull the yarn through.
4. Slide the tapestry needle through the next stitch on the back needle as if to knit. Leave this stitch on the needle.
Chicago Cubs (Blue, Red, and White) PINSTRIPES: Blue
New York Mets (Bright Blue, Orange, and White) PINSTRIPES: Blue
Philadelphia Phillies (Red and White) PINSTRIPES: Red
Colorado Rockies (Purple and White) PINSTRIPES: Purple
Minnesota Twins (Dark Blue, Red, and White) PINSTRIPES: Dark Blue
New York Yankees (Dark Blue and White) PINSTRIPES: Dark Blue
Chicago White Sox (Black and White) PINSTRIPES: Black
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Dark Blue, Red, and White) NO Pinstripes
Auata Draves (Dark Blue, Red, and White) NO Pinstripes
Milwaukee Brewers (Dark Blue and White) NO Pinstripes
(Black and Dark Red) NO Pinstripes
(Blue and White) NO Pinstripes
(Red and White) NO Pinstripes
San Diego Padres (Dark Blue, Taupe, and White) NO Pinstripes
Boston Red Sox (Dark Blue, Red, and White) NO Pinstripes
(Red and White) NO Pinstripes
