cjt Prairie Willow Knits November 2014
Finished Size
■ One Size: From cuff to heel: 3 1/2" ; from heel to toe: 3 1/2"; Circumference: 3 1/2"; Measurements are approximate & depend on gauge.
Materials
· 30 -40 yards of fingering weight yarn (Knitpicks Palette was used in pictured socks).
Notions
■ 2 Us 1.5 (2. 5mm) circular needles, double points or single circular, or size to obtain gauge. 2.75mm crochet hook. Tapestryneedle Markers
Gauge
In stockinette, 8 1/2 stitches / 1"; 11 rows / 1 inches. Gauge is not important, but is provided as a point of reference, as this sock is not intended to be worn.
Techniques Used
Knitting in the round, Knit, Purl, M1, K2tog, P2tog, SSK, Slip stitch, K tbl, crochet chain, changing color, Kitchener (optional)
| Symbol | Definition |
| CC | Contrasting Color |
| K | Knit |
| Kn | Knit n stitches,where n is the number ofstitchestobeknitted |
| K2tog | Knit 2 together |
| MC | Main Color |
| MC1 | Main Color 1 |
| MC2 | Main Color 2 |
| M1 | Pickup thebarbetweenthelaststitch and the next stitch, from back to front. Knit through the front of the loop. |
| P | Purl |
| Pn | Purl n stitches, where n is the number ofstitches tobepurled |
| P2tog | Purl 2 together |
| PM | Place Marker |
| SL 1 | Slip 1 purlwise |
| SSK | Slip 1 as if to knit, slip a second stitch as if to knit, insert the left hand needle intothefrontofthetwoslipped stitchesandknitthesetwostitches |
| tbl | together Through theback loop |
| wyib | Withyarn inback |
| wyif | With yarn infront |
This mini sock is knit using standard top-down heel flap construction. The hanging loop is created by leaving a long tail on cast on.The tail is used to create a crocheted chain which is attached back to the sock's cast on edge to create a loop. Since stripes start at the back of the sock, the jog is hidden. This collection of patterns should be enough to get you started creating your own mini-socks.
The Basic Sock
This pattern knits up a solid color sock using a single color of yarn. This pattern works well with leftover self-striping and variegatedyarns.
Cast on
Cast on 32 stitches using the German twisted cast on (GTCO is my standard cast on for top down socks, but you won't need the extra stretchiness for this sock) or any other cast on you desire, leaving an 18" tail. The tail will be used to create a chained loop to hang your sock. Join to work in the round.
Cuff
Knit 5 rounds of 2x2 rib. (\*K2, P2\*, repeat from \* to \* to end of round.)
Leg Body
Knit 20 rounds stockinette. (Knit every round.)
Heel Flap Setup
The stitches need to be rearranged so that the original start of round is now in the center back of the sock. Shift first 8 stitchesfromfrontneedletobackneedle.Shiftfirst8stitches from back needle to front needle. There are now 8 unknit stitches on the back needle. Knit those 8 stitches. This is the sole needle (back needle). The front needle is the instep needle.
Heel Flap
The heel flap will be worked across the sole stitches. Turn work, starting heel flap on the Ws. Row 1: SL 1 wyif, P to end of row; turn. Row 2: SL 1 wyib, K to end of row; turn. Repeat rows 1 & 2 for a total of 7 times or 14 rows in the heel flap, then repeat row 1 one more time, ending with a Ws row, 15rowstotal.
Heel Turn
Row 1 (RS): SL 1 wyib, K 8 stitches, SSK, K1; turn. Row 2 (WS): SL 1 wyif, P 3 stitches, P2tog, P1; turn. Row 3(RS): SL 1 wyib, K to 1 stitch before gap created by turn on previous row, SSK (1 stitch before gap and 1 stitch after gap),K1; turn. Row 4(ws): SL1 wyif, P to 1 stitch before gap created by turn on previous row, P2tog (1 stitch before gap and 1 stitch after gap),P1; turn. Repeat rows 3 & 4 until all stitches have been worked. You should have 10 stitches upon completion.
Gusset
Pickup Round
SL 1 wyib, K 9 (end of heel turn), pickup and knit tbl 8 stitches along the edge of the heel flap (in the slipped stitches), then M1 in the gap between the heel flap and the instep stitches (9 picked up stitches). PM, marking this position as start of instep. Knit across the instep. PM, marking this as end of instep. M1 in the gap between the instep stitches and the heel flap, pickup and knit tbl 8 stitches along the heel flap (9 picked up stitches). Distribute the stitches as appropriate to your needles. Start of round is now the beginning of the heel.
Gusset Decreases.
Round 1: K to 2 stitches before the instep K2tog, knit across the instep; SSK, K to end of round. Round 2:K to end of round. Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until 16 sole stitches remain.
Reset Start of Round
Knit to start of instep. Set as beginning of round.
Foot
Knit 12 rows.
Toe
Round 1: SSK, K to 2 stitches before end of instep, K2tog; SSK, K to 2 stitches before the end of the second needle (end of sole stitches), K2tog. 28 stitches remain. Round 2:K to end of round Repeat rounds 2 & 3 two more times for a total of 3 times. Then repeat round 1 three more times. 8 stitches remain. Cut yarn leaving a 8" tail. Kitchener the toe closed. (Note: If you donotwanttoKitchenerthetoe,Knit1moreround:SSK, K2togSSK,K2tog.Cutyarn and thread throughloops and pull tight.This will create a pointier toe, but you won't have to do theKitchenerstitch.)
Finishing
Flatten sock, so that you get a side profile of the sock as in the diagram below. The yarn tail should be where the loop is shown. Go back to the cuff, using the yarn tail from the cast on, pull yarn through with a crochet hook, closing gap. This is the start of your chain. Chain 16. Bring your chain down to and join it to the cast on edge. Weave in ends. If the sock isn't laying flat enough, press it lightly on a setting appropriate to the yarn you chose.
Sock with Contrasting Cuff Heel, & Toe
Cuff
Using CC, Cast on 32 stitches using German Twisted Cast on, leaving an 18" tail. Knit 5 rows of 2x2 rib. (\*K2, P2\*, repeat from \* to \* to end of round.) Cut CC, leaving sufficient tail to weave in later.
Leg
Picking up MC, knit 20 rows in stockinette.
Heel Flap Setup
The stitches need tobe rearranged so that the original start of round is now in the center back of the sock. Shift first 8 stitchesfromfrontneedletobackneedle.Shiftfirst8stitches frombackneedle tofront needle.There are now8 unknit stitches on the back needle (sole needle). K 7, cut MC, leaving sufficient tail to weave in later. Pick up CC and knit last stitch. Note:thelast stitchisknit in the contrast colorbecause the first stitch of the next row is slipped.This creates a smoother transitionbetweencolors.
Heel Flap
Turn work, starting heel flap on the Ws. Continue working in CC. Row 1: SL 1 wyif, P to end of row; turn. Row 2: SL 1 wyib, K to end of row; turn. Repeat rows 1 & 2 for a total of 7 times or 14 rows in the heel flap, then repeat row 1 one more time, ending with a Ws row. (15rows total)
Heel Turn
Row 1 (RS): SL 1 wyib, K 8 stitches, SSK, K1; turn. Row 2 (WS): SL 1 wyif, P 3 stitches, P2tog, P1; turn. Row 3(RS): SL 1 wyib, K to 1 stitch before gap created by turn on previous row, SSK (1 stitch before gap and 1 stitch after gap), K1; turn. Row 4(Ws): SL1 wyif, P to 1 stitch before gap created by turn on previous row, P2tog (1 stitch before gap and 1 stitch after gap), P1; turn. Repeat rows 3& 4 until all stitches havebeen worked.On the last row, do not purl the last stitch. Cut CC leaving sufficient yarn to weave in later. Switch to MC and purl the last stitch. You should have 10 stitches upon completion.
Gusset Pickup Row
SL 1 wyib,K 9 (end of heel turn), pickup and knit tbl 8 stitches along the edge of the heel flap (in the slipped stitches), then M1 in the gap between the the heel flap and the instep stitches (9 picked up stitches). PM, marking this position as start of instep.Knit across the instep.PM, marking this as end of instep. M1 in the gap between the instep stitches and the heel flap, pickup and knit tbl 8 stitches along the heel flap (9 picked up stitches). Distribute the stitches as appropriate to your needles.Start of round is now the beginning of the heel.
Gusset Decreases
Round 1: K to 2 stitches before the instep K2tog, knit across the instep; SSK, K to end of round. Round 2: K to end of round. Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until 16 sole stitches remain.
Reset Start of Round
Knit to start of instep. Set as beginning of round.
Foot
Knit 12 rows. Cut MC leaving sufficient yarn to weave in later.
Toe
Round 1: Switch to CC.Knit 1 round. Round 2: SSK, K to 2 stitches before end of instep, K2tog; SSK,K to 2 stitchesbefore the end of the second needle(end of sole stitches), K2tog. 28 stitches remain. Round3:Ktoendofround Repeatrounds2&3twomoretimesforatotalof3times. Then repeat round 2 three more times. 8 stitches remain. Cut yarn leaving a 8" tail. Kitchener the toe closed. (Note: If you do not want to Kitchenerthe toe,Knit 1 more round: SSK, K2tog,SSK,K2tog.Cut yarn and thread throughloops and pull tight. This will create a pointier toe, but you won't have to dotheKitchener stitch.)
Finishing
Flatten sock, so that you get a side profile of the sock as in the diagram below. The yarn tail should be where the loop is shown. Go back to the cuff, using the yarn tail from the cast on, pull yarn through with a crochet hook, closing gap. This is the start of your chain. Chain 16. Bring your chain down to and join it to the cast on edge. Weave in ends. If the sock isn't laying flat enough, press it lightly on a setting appropriate to theyarnyou chose.
Athletic Style Sock
Cuff
Using CC, Cast on 32 stitches using German Twisted Cast on, leaving an 18" tail. Knit 5 rows of 2x2 rib. (\*K2, P2\*, repeat from \* to \* to end of round.) Drop CC, do not cut.
Leg
Picking up MC, knit 4 rounds in stockinette. Drop MC. Carry CC up the inside of the sock, bringing MC over CC. With CC, knit 1 round. Drop CC, Carry MC up the inside of the sock, bringing CC over MC. With MC, knit 1 round. Drop MC. Carry CC up the inside of the sock, bringing MC over CC. With CC, knit 1 round. Drop CC, Carry MC up the inside of the sock, bringing CC over MC. With MC, knit 1 round. Drop MC. Carry CC up the inside of the sock, bringing MC over CC. With CC, knit 1 round. There will be 3 contrasting stripes after this round. Cut CC leaving sufficient yarn to weave in later. Continue knitting in stockinette for 11 rounds.
Heel Flap Setup
The stitches need to be rearranged so that the original start of round is now in the center back of the sock. PM (color changes will continue from this point), shift first 8 stitches from front needle to back needle (Marker should be placed after thestitchesonthebackneedle&beforethestitches shifted to the back needle, the middle of the sole stitches). Shift first 8 stitches from back needle to front needle. There are now 8 unknit stitches on the back needle(sole needle).K 7, cut MC, leaving sufficient yarn to weave in later. Pick up CC andknit laststitch. Note:thelast stitchisknitin the contrast colorbecausethe first stitch of the next row is slipped.This creates a smoother transitionbetweencolors. The front needle is the instep needle
Heel Flap
Turn work, starting heel flap on theWs. Continue working in CC, slipping the color change marker when you reach it. Row 1: SL 1 wyif, P to end of row; turn. Row 2: SL 1 wyib, K to end of row; turn. Repeat rows 1 & 2 for a total of 7times or 14 rows in the heel flap, then repeat row 1 one more time, ending with a Ws row. (15rows total)
Heel Turn
Slip the color change marker on each row, when you reach it. Row 1 (RS): SL 1 wyib, K 8 stitches, SSK, K1; turn. Row 2 (WS): SL 1 wyif, P 3 stitches, P2tog, P1; turn. Row 3(Rs): SL 1 wyib, K to 1 stitch before gap created by turn on previous row, SSK(1 stitch before gap and 1 stitch after gap),K1;turn. Row 4(Ws): SL1 wyif, P to 1 stitch before gap created by turn on previous row, P2tog (1 stitch before gap and 1 stitch after gap), P1; turn. Repeat rows 3 & 4 until all stitches have been worked. You should have 10 stitches upon completion. On the last row, do not purl the last stitch. Cut CC leaving sufficient yarn to weave in later. Switch to MC and purl the last stitch.
Gusset Pickup Row
MC is now the working yarn. SL 1 wyib, K4, SM (color change marker), K5 (end of heel turn), pickup and knit tbl 8 stitches along the edge of the heel flap (in the slipped stitches), then M1 in the gap between the heel flap and the instep stitches. (9 picked up stitches). PM, (start of instep), Knit across the instep, PM (end of instep). M1 in the gap between the instep stitches and the heel flap, pickup and knit tbl 8 stitches along the heel flap, knit to color change marker. Distribute the stitches as appropriate toyourneedles. Start of round is now the color change marker (center of heel stitches).
Gusset Decreases
Slip the color change marker on each row when you reach it. Round 1: K to 2 stitches before the instep K2tog, knit across the instep; SSK, K to end of round. Round 2:K to end of round. Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until 16 sole stitches remain 36 stitches remain.
Foot
Knit 6 rows. Drop MC. Picking up CC. Starting at the Color change marker, knit 1 row. Drop CC, Carry MC up the inside of the sock, bringing CC over MC.Knit 1 row. Drop MC. Carry CC up the inside of the sock, bringing MC over CC. Knit 1 row. Drop CC, Carry MC up the inside of the sock, bringing CC over MC. Knit 3 rows, RM. Cut MC, leaving enough yarn to weave in later.
Toe
Setup: Using CC, Knit 8 (to end of sole needle). Reset start of round to beginning of instep. Round 1: Knit 1 round. Round 2: SSK, K to 2 stitches before end of instep, K2tog; SSK, K to 2 stitches before the end of the second needle (end of sole stitches), K2tog. 28 stitches remain. Round 3:K to end of round Repeat rounds 2 & 3 two more times for a total of 3 times. Then repeat round 2 three more times. 8 stitches remain. Cut yarn leaving an 8" tail. Kitchener the toe closed. (Note: If you do not want toKitchenerthe toe,Knit 1 moreround:SSK, K2tog,SSK,K2tog.Cutyarn and thread throughloops and pull tight. This will create a pointiertoe, but you won't have to dotheKitchenerstitch.)
Finishing
Flatten sock, so that you get a side profile of the sock as in the diagram below. The yarn tail should be where the loop is shown. Go back to the cuff, using the yarn tail from the cast on, pull yarn through with a crochet hook, closing gap. This is the start of your chain. Chain 16. Bring your chain down to and join it to the cast on edge. Weave in ends. If the sock isn't laying flat enough, press it lightly on a setting appropriate to theyarnyou chose.
Elf Socks
This sock uses simple stripes to create its design. The pattern does not use jogless stripes because the color change is at the back of the sock and not really visible when hung. Of course, if the jog bothers you can use the jogless stripe technique.
Cuff
Using CC, Cast on 32 stitches using German Twisted Cast on, leaving an 18" tail. Knit 5 rows of 2x2 rib. (\*K2, P2\*, repeat from \* to \* to end of round.) Cut CC, leaving sufficient yarn to weave in later.
Leg
Picking up MC1, knit 4 rows in stockinette. Drop MC1 and pickup MC2, knit 4 rows in stockinette. Drop MC2. Carry MC1 up the inside of the sock, bringing MC1 over MC2. Knit 4 rows. Drop MC1. Carry MC2 up the inside of the sock, bringing MC2 over MC1.Knit 4 rows. Drop MC2. Carry MC1 up the inside of the sock, bringing MC1 over MC2.Knit 4 rows. There are now 5 stripes in the leg: MC1, MC2, MC1, MC2, MC1.
Heel Flap Setup
The stitches need to be rearranged so that the original start of round is now in the center back of the sock.PM (color changes will continue from this point), shift first 8 stitches from front needle to back needle. Shift first 8 stitches from back needle to front needle.There are now8 unknit stitches on the back needle (sole needle), starting at the marker. K 7, cut MC1 & MC2, leaving sufficient yarn to weave in later. Pick up CC and knit last stitch. Note:thelast stitchisknit in the contrast colorbecause the first stitch of the next row is slipped.This creates a smoother transitionbetweencolors. The front needle is the instep needle.
Heel Flap
Turn work, starting heel flap on the Ws. Continue working in CC. Row 1: SL 1 wyif, P to end of row; turn. Row 2: SL 1 wyib,K to end of row; turn. Repeat rows1& 2for a totalof 7times or14rows in theheel flap, then repeat row 1 one more time, ending with a Ws row. (15rowstotal)
Heel Turn
Row 1 (RS): SL 1 wyib, K 8 stitches, SSK, K1; turn. Row 2 (WS): SL 1 wyif, P 3 stitches, P2tog, P1; turn. Row 3(Rs): SL 1 wyib, Kto 1 stitch before gap created by turn on previous row, SSK (1 stitch before gap and 1 stitch after gap), K1; turn. Row 4(ws): SL1 wyif, P to 1 stitch before gap created by turn on previous row, P2tog (1 stitch before gap and 1 stitch after gap), P1; turn. Repeat rows 3 & 4 until all stitches have been worked. You should have 10 stitches upon completion. On the last row, do not purl the last stitch. Cut CC leaving sufficient yarn to weave in later. Switch to MC and purl the last stitch.
Gusset Pickup Row
MC2 is now the working yarn. SL 1 wyib, K4, SM (color change marker), K5 (end of heel turn), pickup and knit tbl 8 stitches along the edge of the heel flap (in the slipped stitches), then M1 in the gap between the heel flap and the instep stitches. (9 picked up stitches). PM, (start of instep), Knit across the instep, PM (end of instep). M1 in the gap between the instep stitches and the heel flap, pickup and knit tbl 8 stitches along the heel flap, knit to color change marker. Distribute the stitches as appropriate to your needles. Start of round is now the color change marker (center of heel stitches).
Gusset Decreases
Round 1: K to 2 stitches before instep marker, K2tog, Knit to end of instep marker, SsK, knit to color change marker. Round 2: K to color change marker. Round 3: repeat round 1. Drop MC2. Round 4: Starting with MC1, K to end of round. Round 5: Repeat round 1. Round 6: Knit to end of round. Round 7: Repeat round 1. Drop MC1 Round 8: Carry MC2 up the inside of the sock, K to end of round. Round 9: Repeat round 1. Round 10: Knit to end of round. Round 11: Repeat round 1. 36 stitches remain.
Foot
Drop MC2. Carry MC1 up the inside of the sock, bringing MC1 over MC2.Knit 4 rows. Drop MC1. Carry MC2 up the inside of the sock, bringing MC2 over MC1. Knit 4 rows. Drop MC2. Carry MC1 up the inside of the sock bringing MC1 over MC2.Knit 4 rows. Cut MC1 & MC2, leaving sufficient yarn to weave in later. Removemarker.
Toe
Setup: Using CC, Knit 8 (end of sole needle). Reset start of round to beginning of instep. Round 1: Knit 1 round. Round 2: SSK, K to 2 stitches before end of instep, K2tog; SSK, K to 2 stitches before the end of the second needle (end of sole stitches), K2tog. 28 stitches remain. Round3:Ktoendofround Repeatrounds2&3twomoretimesforatotalof3times. Then repeat round 2 three more times. 8 stitches remain. Cut yarn leaving an 8" tail. Kitchener the toe closed. (Note: If youdonotwanttoKitchenerthetoe,Knit1moreround:SSK, K2tog,SSK,K2tog.Cutyarn and thread through loops and pull tight. This will create a pointiertoe,butyou won't have todotheKitchenerstitch.)
Finishing
Flatten sock, so that you get a side profile of the sock as in the diagram below. The yarn tail should be where the loop is shown. Go back to the cuff, using the yarn tail from the cast on, pull yarn through with a crochet hook, closing gap. This is the start of your chain.Chain 16. Bring your chain down to and join it to the cast on edge. Weave in ends. If the sock isn't laying flat enough, press it lightly on a setting appropriate to the yarn you chose.
How These Socks Differ
So how do these socks differ from a sock made to be worn (other than size of course)? I typically use a Us 1.0 (2.25mm) needle for at least the foot and heel of my sock. Tighter knits wear better. Most heel flap socks use a special heel stitch instead of stockinette.The heel stitch wearsbetter and adds a bit of padding to the heel. The toe decreases are knit 1 stitch in instead of right ontheedge of the toe.
