Crystals, 'Combs and Cables Socks
These were designed for the June '08 Sock Knitters Anonymous Sockdown Challenge. The Crystals are for the beads, the Combs are for the "medallions" that remind me of lacy honeycombs and the Cables are for the little twist that gives the design that braided flow. Construction: Top down magic loop but can be adapted to any method as desired, Garter stitch short row heel with mini flap and gusset and wedge toe. Size: woman's medium (approx. 8 inch circumference) Gauge: 8 stitches/inch Suggested needles size: US 1 $(2.25\;\mathsf{m m})$ or1.5 $(2.5\;\mathsf{m m})$ $32^{\prime\prime}$ circular needle or size to obtain gauge (If you like a little looser leg but want a firm fabric for the foot, you can use the US #1.5 (2.5mm) for the cuff and leg the switch to the US#1 (2.5mm) for the foot as I did.) Approximately 360 - 400 yards of fingering weight yarn. Yarn used is Fleece Artist Merino Sock in the Seafoam colorway. Tapestry needle Cable needle (if desired) Additional materials: (for optional beaded cuff) 192 size 8/0 seed beads 1 size #12 ( $1.00\;\mathsf{m m})$ ) steel crochet hook 2222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222 Cuff: Loosely cast on 64 stitches. (I use a needle one size larger for my cast on round) Work the next seven rows for garter stitch cuff as follows: Round 1 and all odd rows: Purl Round 2 and all even rows: Knit, placing one bead via the crochet method starting with the first stitch and on every other stitch around (32 beads per round). If you choose to omit the beaded cuff, knit the even rounds. Leg: After the seven rounds of the cuff are complete, begin the pattern using the following chart:
Round 1: \* k6, p2, k6, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 2: $^*\,\mathsf{K}\mathsf{1}_{}$ yo, $\mathsf{s s k},$ k2tog, yo, k1, p2, k6, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 3: \* k6, p2, k6, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 4: $^\ast\mathsf{K}1_{\phantom{,}}$ yo, sk, k2tog, yo, k1, p2, k6, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 5: \* k6, p2, c6b (slip next 3 stitches to a cable needle and hold in back, knit next 3 stitches, knit 3 stitches from cable needle), $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 6: \* K1, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1, p2, k6, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 7: \* k6, p2, k6, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 8: \* K1, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1, p2, k6, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 9: \* k6, p2, k6, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 10: \* k6, p2, k1, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 11: \* k6, p2, k6, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 12: \* k6, p2, k1, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 13: \* c6b (slip next 3 stitches to a cable needle and hold in back, knit next 3 stitches, knit 3 stitches from cable needle), p2, k6, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 14: \* k6, p2, k1, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 15: \* k6, p2, k6, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across Round 16: \* k6, p2, k1, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1, $\mathsf{p}2^{*}$ repeat across You should have 2 pattern repeats across each needle. Continue pattern until leg measures approx. 6 - 7 inches (about 5.5 pattern repeats) ending on pattern row eight Heel: (worked over 32 stitches) Rearrange stitches so that round begins and ends with P1 so pattern wil be centered for the instep. Working back and forth, begin mini flap. Knit the next 8 rows for garter stitch mini flap then begin the garter stitch short rowheel: (RS) Knit across to the last stitch, sl 1 to right needle, bring yarn between needles, return the slipped st to the left needle, turn (one stitch wrapped) (WS) Knit across to the last stitch, sl 1 to right needle, bring yarn between needles, return the slipped st to the left needle, turn (one stitch wrapped) Repeat these 2 rows, wrapping one additional stitch per row until 8 stitches remain unwrapped, ending with a Ws row.
Begin heel increase rows:
(RS) Knit across until you knit 1 previously 'wrapped' stitch - work this stitch as usual leaving the 'wrap' around the base of the stitch - don't knit into the wrap and stitch as with stockinette short rows, slip the next heel stitch from the left to the right needle, bring the yarn between the needles (making a second wrap) and return it to the left needle. Turn. (WS) Knit across until you knit 1 previously 'wrapped' stitch - work this stitch as usual leaving the 'wrap' around the base of the stitch - don't knit into the wrap and stitch as with stockinette short rows, slip the next heel stitch from the left to the right needle, bring the yarn between the needles (making a second wrap) and return it to the left needle. Turn. Repeat these 2 rows until al the wrapped stitches have been double wrapped and original 32 stitches are back on the needle. Resume knitting in the round, picking up 5 stitches along each side of the mini flap. These will become the gusset stitches. You can pick up more stitches as needed to close up any gaps. Leave the gusset stitches on the "heel" needle and continue the instep stitches in the established pattern, starting and ending with a P1 and beginning with row 9 of the pattern on the instep and working the "heel" stitches (which will now be the sole stitches) in stockinette. After working one round and picking up the gusset stitches, work one additional round even, working the 5 gusset stitches on each side of the mini flap thru the back loop to close up any gaps. (this would be row 10 of the pattern) On the next round, begin the gusset decreases as follows: On "sole" needle, K1, ssk, knit across to the last 3 stitches, k2 tog, k1 then work across instep needle in established pattern. Decrease in this manner EVERY OTHER ROW until gusset stitches are decreased and stitch count returns to the original 64 stitches, 32 on the sole needle, 32 on the instep needle. Continue to work even, keeping pattern on instep as established until foot length is 2 inches less than desired foot length. Begin toe decreases: Discontinue pattern and work all stitches in stockinette stitch. Round one: sole needle $\mathtt{*K1}$ , ssk, knit across to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1\* repeat across instep needle Round 2: knit across all stitches Repeat these 2 rows, decreasing 4 stitches every other row, until there are 16 stitches on each needle, 32 total stitches. Then decrease 4 stitches EVERY ROW until there are 12 stitches on each needle, 24 total Cut yarn leaving at least a 12 inch tail and graft remaining stitches. Enjoy!
