Betty Gable Socks by Karen Harper for Knit Front and Back
So not practical I know, but who doesn't need alpaca socks? Details: 2 skeins Blue Sky Sport weight 2.5 mm needle 6.5 st/inch in st stitch To fit ladies medium. Pattern notes: This pattern is assuming you are using either the 2 circ or magic loop method. I like these methods; they are simple and make turning your heel easy. No picking up of stitches either!
Terms to know: ${\mathsf{k}}={\mathsf{k}}{\mathsf{n}}{\mathsf{i}}{\mathsf{t}}$ $\mathsf{p}=\mathsf{p u r l}$ $\mathsf{C3B=}$ slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold to back of work. Knit 3 st, the knit the 3 stitches off the cable needle $\mathsf{C3F=}$ slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold to front of work. Knit 3 st, the knit the 3 stitches off the cable needle Cable Pattern 1 Rows 1 to 4: Knit Row 5: K4, P3, C3B, C3F, P3, K4, knit to end of round. Row 6:Knit Cable Pattern 2 Rows 1-4: Knit Row 5: K4, P3, C3F, C3B, P3, K4, knit to end of round Row 6: Knit Back rib pattern: K4, P3, K4, P4, P3, K4 Using the Turkish method, cast on 12 st. Increase every other row until you have 26 stitches on either needle. K1 round even.
Foot:
Start Cable Pattern 1 at the beginning of the next row. Work pattern until sock touches leg, ending on R4 of cable pattern 1.
Heel:
Turn the heel working back and forth on the heel sttiches only as follows: Purl across the back to the last stitch, wrap and turn. Next row: Knit to last stitch, wrap and turn. Continue until you have 6 stitches (or approximately $20\%$ of whatever number you end up with on each needle) left unwrapped. Purl across to first wrapped stitch. Pick up wrap and stitch and purl together through the back loop. Wrap and turn the following stitch like you did before. Stitches willnow have 2 wraps when you pick them up. Turn work. Knit to first wrapped stitch. Pick up stitch and wrap, slip to RH needle, and knit through the back of the stitch. Wrap and turn next stitch (stitches will be double wrapped). Repeat until all stitches have been worked, picking up both wraps with the stitch and either p tbl or k tbl. You may need to pick up a stitch or two between heel and top of foot. If you do, knit them together with the first stitch of the row. It will hide any small holes and make it a sturdier join.
You will now reverse your cable on top side of sock, so start Cable 2 pattern (on R1). On back side of sock begin back rib pattern. When sock is about $1-1\ 1/_{2}$ inches from desired length (finish on Cable R6) start Rib pattern on front as on back. Continue in pattern for $1-1~\%$ inches or as desired. BO using Sewn Cast off.
