Hedwig
by Carrie Barraco The first pattern in this series is inspired by the Owls that are featured especially in Sorcerer's Stone. Owls descend on Privet Drive and welcome Harry into the wizarding world. Hedwig is his first real birthday present and remains his beloved owl throughout the series. This sock uses a traditional cuff-down construction and a simple textured stitch pattern found in Barbara Walker's Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns $(p$ 25) which reminds me of flying owl wings. $\mathfrak{s i z e}$ : Women's Medium Yarn: Cosmic Fibers superwash/nylon blend (100 gm skein) , or any other fingering-weight sock yarn Gauge: 8 sts in circular stockinette Suggested Needle: US 1/ 2.25 mm
Cuff:
Cast on 70 sts and work in twisted 1x1 rib for 12 rnds ( \*kitbl, p1\* )
Leg:
Work in stitch pattern until sock measures 6" from cuff or to desired length
Hee flap:
Turn work so that the inside is facing you. Purl back 34 sts. Hold remaining 36 sts for the instep and begin the reinforced heel stitch: Row 1: \*sl 1, $\mathbf{k}\mathbf{1}^{*}$ repeat across Row 2: sl 1, purl across Repeat rows 1 and 2 17 more times, or until heel flap measures as long as it is wide, or to desired length.
Heel turn:
k 19, ssk, k1, turn work p 6 p2tog, p1, turn work k8, ssk, k1, turn p10, p2tog, p1, turn Continue in this manner until all stitches are consumed. You'll always work the decrease over the little gap left from the turning of the work.
Gusset:
Knit across remaining heel stitches. Pick up and knit into each of the 18 slipped stitches along the right side of the heel flap. Work across instep stitches in pattern Pick up and knit into each of the 18 slipped stitches along the left side of the heel flap. Round 1: , Work one round even until two sts before the instep, k2tog, work across the instep stitches, sk, k to end of round Round 2: Work one round even. Continue these two rounds until all the gusset stitches have been decreased and you're left with the original 70.
Foot:
Continue working the instep in established pattern and the sole in plain stockinete until the foot measures 2" less than desired length.
Toe shaping:
\*k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end, k2tog, $\mathbf{k1^{*}}$ , repeat once. 4 sts decreased k around Repeat these two rounds until 16 sts remain, weave toe together. Excellent instructions on grafting/ weaving/ kitchenering can be found here: http://www.knitty.com/issuesummero4/FEATtheresasumo4.html Notes: This pattern is written for a knitter familiar with sock knitting. You can find instructions online for additional support, such as here: http://www.knitty.com/issuespring05/FEATsocks101.html or, author's pattern support is available : cosmicfibersyarn@verizon.net This pattern can be adapted for other sizes by changing your gauge or by adding or removing stitches. For example, to create a larger sock you could increase each stitch repeat to 12 (one purl added, one knit added), which will give you a total of 14 additional sts and approx. 1.5 inches.
Abbreviations:
st/sts: stitch/stitches p2tog: purl two together ssk: slip, slip, knit rnds: rounds k: knit k2tog: knit two together p: purl This pattern is licensed for personal, charity, gifting or other noncommercial use. This pattern was given freely. Please do not sell this pattern or items created with it.
