ADAM'S KNEE SOCKS
My son asked me to knit him a pair of socks, but since I am not a huge fan of sock knitting, I procrastinated. I love the architecture of the knitted sock, but don't like knitting two of anything. Aiso, he wanted KNEE SOCKS! And because he's a guy: ho cables, ho lace, hothing fancy, i.e., stockinette only. Yawn. But since his 2ist birthday was coming up (and because I've really missed him since he moved out, LOL), I pulled out the needles and knit him a pair. The socks are knit from the top-down, using “magic loops." A thicker gauge of yarn is used for the cuff, heel flap and toes for added sturdiness. The body of the sock is knit with an elastic-y yarn, as knee socks do tend to slide down. To help with this, there is some shaping down the Calf. The heel is knit with a turned heel using a contrast colour. The foot of the sock is knit to the desired length, and finished with a contrast coloured toe. These aren't fancy, but they get the jobdone. This pattern is provided in one size and the sock should fit an average-sized person (see the sChematic for sizing).Enjoy!
DETAILS
Abbreviations:
cO = cast on BO = bind off BOR = beginning of round K = knit P = purl SSK = slip, slip, knit K2tog = knit 2 together PM = place marker SM = slip marker Sts = stitches Needles: I knit these socks using the magic loop method with a 32" US size 1.5 (2.5 mm) needle. Yarn: Main Colour (MC) = ONline Supersocke Cotton 10o Saturn Color; (41% Cotton, 39% Wool, 13% Nylon (Polyamide), 7% Polyester) in blue-green colourway. Contrast Colour (CC) = Cascade Heritage 15o Solids Yardage: Approximately 1.25 skeins MC (575 m/ 630 yds) and approximately 0.1 skeins CC (65 m / 75 yds) Gauge = 28 sts over 4"' / 10 cm. Other notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, scrap yarn. Final Measurements: The sock should fit the “average" leg; see schematic for sizing. Additional Instructions: My preferred method for casting-on for top-down socks is the 2 needle Estonian cast-on. Follow this link for a video tutorial. If you are unfamiliar with the Kitchener stitch, follow this link for a helpful. And if you need a refresher in knitting in-the-round using “"magic loops", follow this link.
SCHEMATIC
To fit "average" leg:
A = Circumference just below knee (12.5") B = Circumference of calf at widest part (14") C = Circumference at ankle (9") D = Foot length (adjustable) E = Length from top of sock to top of ankle (12")
CUFF
With 2.5 mm needles, and holding Heritage Solids (CC) and elastic thread together, CO 71 sts using Estonian two needle cast-on. PM. Slip first stitch over last stitch to join round, being careful not to twist work (7o sts) K1P1 ribbing for 15 rounds. Switch to MC and knit one round. Increase 4 sts evenly in next round (74 sts).
CALF SHAPING
Knit to 4 inches in plain stockinette. Knit to 3 sts before marker, SSK, K1, SM, K1, K2tog. Continue with decreases at: 4.5, 5, 5.25, 5.5, 5.75, 6, 6.25, 6.5, 7, and 8 inches (52 sts remain). Knit to 12 inches. Adjust needles so that on one needle there are 13 sts on either side of the marker. Place remaining 26 sts on scrap yarn & leave MC attached. Remove marker.
HEEL FLAP
With CC & elastic thread held double, K1, (slip 1, K1)\* to end. Turn work. Slip 1 purlwise; P to end of row. Repeat these 2 rows a total of 14 times.
TURN THE HEEL
Row 1: (RS) K15sts, SSK, K1, turn. Row 2: (WS) Sl1, P5, P2tog, P1, turn. Row 3: (RS) Sl1, K6, SSK, K1, turn. Row 4: (WS) Sl1, P7, P2tog, P1, turn. Row 5: (RS) Sl1, K8, SSK, K1, turn. Row 6: (Ws) Sl1, P9, P2tog, P1, turn. Continue turning and decreasing in this manner until all sts have been worked. Final RS decrease row will end with a SSK and final Ws decrease row will end with a P2tog; 14 sts remain. Cut yarn and leave a tail for weaving in later.
GUSSET
Return to MC that is still attached; pick up 2 stitches in the “crotch", then pick up 14 slipped stitches along the edge of the heel flap. Knit the 14 sts from the 2nd needle (the turned heel); then pick up the next 14 sts along right side of the heel flap; pick up an additional 2 sts in the “crotch"; PM; knit 26 sts; PM. Redistribute sts onto the 2 needles so that you can proceed with magic loops. Round 1: SM, SSK, knit to 2 sts before next marker, K2tog. Knit to first marker. Round 2: Knit all sts in the next round. Repeat these two rounds until you have decreased all the extra such that you now have 52 needles in total (26 sts for the top of the sock, and 26 sts for the bottom).
FOOT TOE
Continue knitting until sock is 2" shorter than your desired length. Break yarn. Switch to CC. Round 1: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts on needle 1; K2tog, K1; switch to second needle; repeat. Round 2: Knit all stitches. Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until 10 sts remain on each needle. Graft these sts together using Kitchener stitch. Weave in all loose ends. Wet block. Enjoy!
