Professor Higgins
socks by Caoua Coffee
materials:
needles US1 / 2.25mm or size needed to obtain gauge tapestry needle adult medium gauge: 32 sts / 46 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
abbreviations:
k = knit stitch ） k2tog = knit 2 together ） kfb = knit into front and back of stitch Mlk = make 1 knit wise by picking up the strand in between the stitch just worked and the next stitch with left needle approaching from the front, then knitting into the back of this thread with right needle (thus twisting the thread) M1p= make 1 purl wise by picking up the strand in between the stitch just worked and the next stitch with left needle approaching from the front, then purling into the back of this thread with right needle (thus twisting the thread) ） p = purl stitch ） p2tog = purl 2 together RS = right side / public side sl yb = slip stitch as if to purl with yarn in back (back = the side away from you) ) sl yf = slip stitch as if to purl with yarn in front (front = the side closest to you) ） ssk = slip 1 knit wise, slip 1 purl wise, knit both stitches together through the back loops st(s) = stitch(es) WS = wrong side / private side
Professor Higgins socks - by Caoua Coffee
2/2 Itw = 4 stitch left leaning twist: approaching from the back, insert the tip of the right needle into the back of the 3rd and 4th stitch on the left needle. drop 4 sts off the left needle and pick up the 2 loose stitches from the front with the left needle. transfer 2 stitches back from right needle to left needle. p2, k2. 2/2 rtw = 4 stitch right leaning twist: approaching from the front, insert the tip of the right needle into the 3rd and 4th stitch on the left needle as if to purl. drop 4 sts off the left needle and pick up the 2 loose stitches from the back with the left needle. transfer 2 stitches back from right needle to left needle. k2, p2. 2/2 LC = 4 stitch left leaning cable: approaching from the back, insert the tip of the right needle into the back of the 3rd and 4th stitch on the left needle. drop 4 sts off the left needle and pick up the 2 loose stitches from the front with the left needle. transfer 2 stitches back from right needle to left needle. k4. 2/2 RC = 4 stitch right leaning cable: approaching from the front, insert the tip of the right needle into the 3rd and 4th stitch on the left needle as if to purl. drop 4 sts off the left needle and pick up the 2 loose stitches from the back with the left needle. transfer 2 stitches back from right needle to left needle. k4.
pattern:
before you start: the cable pattern is stretchy but at the same time tends to draw the fabric in. therefore you need more stitches in the round than for a stockinette sock. as written, the sock should fit legs of 7.5 to 8.5" circumference. if you want the socks to fit a larger foot: use a sock yarn that is on the thicker side of fingering or a light sport weight and knit with a larger needle size.
cuff:
loosely cast on 72 sts and join to begin working in the round. work [k2, p2] ribbing for 11 rounds
leg setup:
work 1 round of the leg setup chart. now you have 84 sts on the needles
leg setup chart:
Professor Higgins socks - by Caoua Coffee
leg:
start working the leg chart. repeat each chart line twice to complete one round on your needles. work rounds 1-20 of leg pattern 3 times all together (- or only twice if you prefer a shorter leg). note: if you want the side-cables to be symmetrical, work 2/2LC over sts 37-40 (as charted), and when you come to that cable the second time (sts 79-82) work it as 2/2RC.
leg chart:
set-up for heel flap:
work the next stitches as indicated in the heel setup chart, then put the next 42 sts on hold (they will be worked later for instep). the heel is worked back and forth over the 38 sts you have still on the needles. turn your work.
heel setup chart:
heel flap:
WS: [sl 2 yf, k2] 9 times, sl 2 yf, turn RS: [k2, p2] 9 times, k2, turn work theses 2 rows 16 times, i.e. 32 rows total,
turn heel:
WS: sl yf,p20, p2tog, pl, turn RS: sl yb, k5, ssk, kl, turn WS: sl yf, purl to 1 st before gap, p2tog, pl, turn RS: sl yb, knit to 1 st before gap, ssk, k1, turn repeat the last 2 rows until all sts have been worked. don't turn after the last RS row. now 22 heel sts remain.
Professor Higgins socks - by Caoua Coffee
gusset setup:
pick up and knit 17 sts along side of heel flap, pick up one more st between flap and instep and knit this one. then knit the first 2 oft the held instep sts, slipping them over onto the sole needle(s), continue by knitting the next 38 instep sts as charted in first row of instep chart. knit the last 2 of the held instep sts and slip them onto the sole needle(s). then pick up 1 st at the bottom of the heel flap and knit it, pick up 17 more sts along side of heel flap and knit them. knit the other 42 sole sts. this is the new beginning of the round. now you have 62 sole sts and 38 instep sts.
instep chart:
gusset decrease:
round 1: work instep in pattern as established, sole: k1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before end of sole, k2tog, k1 round 2: work instep in pattern as established, knit across all sole sts. work these 2 rounds 14 times (28 rounds all together), decreasing 2 sts every other round. now there are 38 instep sts and 34 sole sts.
foot:
continue instep in pattern as established while always plain knitting the sole sts work until foot is approx. 2 inches shorter than desired length
toe setup:
shift the first and the last instep stitch over onto the sole needle(s) now you have 36 instep sts and 36 sole sts
Professor Higgins socks - by Caoua Coffee
toe:
round 1 (decrease round): [k, ssk, knit to 3 sts before end of instep, k2tog, k], [k, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of sole, k2tog, k] round 2 (plain round) knit around repeat these 2 rounds until you have 36 sts on your needles left, then always work round 1 until there are 16 sts left.
finishing:
leaving a tail of at least 8 inches, break yarn and close the toe using Kitchener stitch. weave in the ends. then knit a second sock and enjoy!
about this pattern:
"My Fair Lady" (1956), one of the most performed musicals in America, is based on the play ‘Pygmalion' by George Bernard Shaw and features music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. The story follows the relationship between Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, and the snobbish Professor Henry Higgins, a phoneticist and confirmed bachelor, who wagers his colleague that within six months he can change Eliza into a refined Victorian lady simply by teaching her to speak proper English. He wins the bet, but doesn't bargain for the profound effect she has on his life. The twists and curls of the meandering cables in this sock form a larger overall pattern, reflecting the transformation both professor and pupil undergo while working towards their common goal.
