Tintern Abbey Socks Pattern: A Knitting Guide with Sherman Toe and Heel Techniques for Closet Lace Knitters

about

An irony of lace knitting is that, very often indeed, the people most likely to geek out over a complex lace pattern are those least likely to wear the fruits of their efforts. Designed to let closet lace knitters get their geek on, Tintern Abbey socks feature a plain ribbed instep and leg.The delicate Gothic lace pattern can be hidden from view, if need be, under a trouser cuff, or allowed to peek out from the top of a boot.

stitches

notes

The beginning/end of the round always occurs at the middle of the sole,between the two needles holding the sole stitches. Markers placed between pattern repeats are helpful until the pattern is established.The stitch count between markers remains consistant; however, as some patternrepeatsspanmultiple needles,the number of stitches on each needle changes as the decreases travel from one needle to the next. Periodic adjustment of stitches between needles may be necessary.

terms

See General Information on page 36. sizes M[L] 83%4 inches diameter [9′/4 inchesdiameter]

gauge

28 sts/36 rows = 4inches in Stockinette using 2.25mm needles

materials

Regia Extra Twist Merino 100% Merino Wool 402 metres (440 yards) per 100g Set of five 2.25mm dpns Circular needle size 2.25mm 4 stitch markers Darning needle

directions

Toe

Work Judy's Magic Cast On over 62 [66] sts using 2.25mm circular needle and a single 2.25mm dpn together. Work Sherman Toe per instructions given on page 6 using a second dpn over 31 [33] stitches; remaining stitches are held on the cable of the circular needle.WVhen toe is complete, divide sole stitches between needles I and 4, and instep stitches betweeen needles 2 and 3. 31 [33] instep, and 29 [33] sole stitches.

Instep

Size M

From start of round work sole stitches in stockinette, and work instep stitches as follows: K3, pI, k5, [pI, k5] three times, pl, k3.

Size L

From start of round work sole stitches in stockinette, and work instep stitches as follows: K3, pI, [k5, p2, k5, pl] two times, k3. Work until instep measures 31/2 inches less than total foot length.

Gusset

From start of round work gusset increases as follows: Round I:Work to within 3 sts of end of needleI, MIR, k3. Work instep pattern as set. K3, MIL, k to end of needle 4. Round 2:Work sole stitches in stockinette, and instep pattern asset. Work these gusset rounds a total of Il times for a total of 31 [33] instep stitches, and 51 [55] sole stitches.

Heel

Work Sherman Heel over sole stitches using method given on page 8 ending with a wrong side row. Incorporate gusset stitches as follows:

Size M

Right Side Row: Sl I, kl, [pl, k5] four times, pl, kl, ssk (last heel stitch with first gusset stitch). Turn. Wrong Side Row: Sl, pl, kl, [p5, kl] four times, pl, p2tog (last heel stitch with first gusset stitch). Turn. Repeat these rows until all gusset stitches on left side of heel have been incorporated, ending with a right side row. One gusset stitich remains on the right side of heel.

Size L

Right Side Setup: Sl I,kl [p2, k5,pl, k5] two times, p2, k2tog, ssk (last heel stitch with first gusset stitch). Turn. Wrong Side Row: Sll, pl [k2, p5, kl,p5] two times, k2, pl, p2tog (last heel stitch with first gusset stitch). Turn. Right Side Row: Sll, kl, [p2, k5, pl, k5] two times, p2, kl, ssk (last heel stitch with first gusset stitch). Turn. Repeat last two rows until all gusset stitches on left side of heel have been incorporated, ending with a right side row. One gusset stitich remains on the right side ofheel.

Leg

Begin working in the round again, working pattern as set across instep stitches to final gusset stitch. Close the gap that forms between instep and gusset stitches as follows: Lift the strand between last instep stitch and gusset stitch onto needle to create an extra stitch, then K3 together to get rid of the extra stitch.60 [65] sts Continue pattern as set until leg measures 212 [3] inches from final gusset stitch. On final round of leg, from beginning of round, place markers as follows:

Size M

[Pl, k5, pl k5, PM] four times.

Size L

[Pl, k5, pl, k5, pl, PM] four times. Begin Gothic Arches Pattern using chart appropriate for size. Work five repeats of chart per round.

Ribbing

Size M

Beginning with first stitch of next round \*[pl, k2]; repeat from \* across all stitches for I6 rounds.

Size L

Beginning with first stitch of next round \*[pl, k2] four times, pl; repeat from \* across all stitches for 20 rounds.

Finishing

Bind off using Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off. Weave in all ends, lightly steam block. Make a second sock to match the first.

gothic arches - medium

gothic arches - large

Gothic Arches M (repeats over IZ sts) Row I, 3 & 5: [Pl, ssk, k3, yo, pl yo, k3, k2tog] Row 2,4,6 & 8: [Pl,k5,pl, k5] Row 7: [Pl, yo, k3, k2tog, pl, ssk, k3, yo] Row 9: [P2, yo, k2, k2tog, pl, ssk, k2, yo, pl] Row 10: [P2, k4, pl, k4, pl] Row Il: [p3, yo, kl, k2tog, pl, ssk, kl, yo, p2] Row 12: [P3, k3, pl, k3, p2] Row I3: [P4, yo, k2tog, pl, ssk, yo, p3] Row 14: [P4, k2, pl, k2, p3] Row 15, 17 &19: [Pl, yo, k3, k2tog, pl, ssk, k3, yo] Row 16, 18, 20 & 22: [Pl, k5, pl, k5] Row 2l: [As row I.] Row 23: [Pl, ssk, k2, yo, p3, yo, k2, k2tog] Row 24: [P1, k4, p3, k4] Row 25: [Pl, ssk, kl, yo, p5, yo, kl, k2tog] Row 26: [P1, k3, p5, k3] Row 27: [Pl, ssk, yo, p7, yo, k2tog] Row 28: [Pl, k2, p7, k2]

Guulc Arclles L (repeats over Io sts) Row I, 3 & 5: [Pl,ssk, k3, yo, pl yo, k3, k2tog, pl] Row 2,4,6 & 8: [Pl,k5, pl, k5, pl] Row 7: [Pl, yo, k3, k2tog, pl, ssk, k3, yo, pl] Row 9: [P2, yo, k2, k2tog, pl, ssk, k2, yo, p2] Row 10: [P2, k4, pl, k4, p2] Row I l: [p3, yo, kl, k2tog, pl, ssk, kl, yo, p3] Row 12: [P3,k3, pl,k3, p3] Row I3: [P4, yo, k2tog, pl, ssk, yo, p4] Row I4: [P4, k2, pl, k2, p4] Row 15, 17 &19: [Pl, yo, k3, k2tog, pl, ssk, k3, yo, pl] Row 16, 18, 20 & 22: [Pl, k5, pl, k5, pl] Row 2l: [As row I.] Row 23: [Pl, sk, k2, yo, p3, yo, k2, k2tog, pl] Row 24: [Pl, k4, pl, k4, pl] Row 25: [Pl, ssk, kl, yo, p5, yo, kl, k2tog, pl] Row 26: [Pl, k3, p5, k3, pl] Row 27: [Pl, ssk, yo, p7, yo, k2tog, pl] Row 28: [Pl, k2, p7, k2, pl]

The Sherman method for mitered short-row toes and heels is a cornerstone of my sock knitting technique as its benefits are many. It's durable, fun to knit, creates beautiful results and, like most things worth learning, incredibly easy once you know how.

toes

Work Judy's Magic Cast On over the given number of stitches, using one circular needle and a single double pointed needle (dpn) held together as shown in image a. With both needles in your left hand, as shown in image b, pull the circular needle until all the cast on stitches are resting on the cable. These are your provisional stitches, and will become the sole stitches when the toe is complete. Toe is worked back and forth over half the cast on stitches using a second dpn, as shown in image c. Alternatively, using provisional cast on of your choice, CO half the number of stitches given. Work first half of toe as follows: Row I: K across all sts. Row 2: Sll, P to I stitch before end of needle.Turn. Row 3: Sll, K to I stitch before end of needle.Turn. Row 4: Sll, P to stitch before last unworked stitch.Turn. Row 5: Sll, K to stitch before last unworked stitch.Turn. Repeat rows 4 and 5, working one fewer stitch in each row, to complete the bottom half of the toe. The final knit row of the first half of the toe begins with 7 slipped sts on the right needle.As you begin this row you'll slip an 8th stitch, as shown in image d. Work across as for Row 5, and turn the work to complete the first half ofthetoe. sherman toes and heels The first purl row of the second half of the toe begins with 7 slipped sts on the right needle.As you begin this row you'll slip an 8th stitch. Note: For the purpose of this tutorial the second half of the toe is worked in a contrasting yarn. Work second half of toe as follows: Row I: P across to the last unworked stitch and slip this stitch purlwise as shown in image e. Insert tip of right needle into the slanted slipped stitch below next stitch, lift stitch onto left needle as in image f. Move the slipped purl stitch back to the left needle. Purl the slipped stitch together with the lifted stitch thorugh the back of both sts as in image g. Turn. Top Row 2: K across to the last unworked stitch and slip this stitch knitwise. In image h, this is the red stitch near the tip of the right needle. Insert tip of right needle into the slanted slipped stitch below next stitch, lift stitch onto left needle. In image h, the slanted stitch is being lifted by the right needle. Move the slipped knit stitch back to the left needle. Knit the slipped stitch together with the lifted stitch through the back loops as shown in image i. Turn. Repeat these rows until all stitches have been worked, leaving one unworked stitch at each end of the dpn as shown in image j. The stitches on this needle are the instep stitches. Divide remaining stitches equally between two dpns as shown in image k. If using a different provisional cast on, unzip and place live sts on two needles.These needles now hold the sole stitches. Your Sherman Toe is now complete, and you may begin working in the round immediately.Adjust stitch count if necessary by knitting together unworked stiches at one or both ends of the needles.

heels

Divide for heel by placing half the number of stitches given onto waste yarn or stitch holder. Place markers to separate gusset stitches from heel flap, or arrange stitches so that marker placement falls between needles. Use shortrowstoturnheelasfollows: Row I: K across until one stitch remains before marker/ end of left needle; turn. Row 2: Sl I, p across stitches until one stitch remains before marker/end of left needle; turn. Row 3: Sll, k to stitch before last unworked stitch.Turn. Row 4: Sll, p to stitch before last unworked stitch. Turn. Repeat rows 3 and 4, working one fewer stitch in each row, to complete the bottom of the heel. (Just as for toe, the last knit row begins with 7 slipped sts on the right needle; as you begin this row you'll slip an 8th stitch.) Work second half of heel as per instructions for second half of toe of toe. Repeat until all stitches have been worked, leaving one unworked stitch at the outside end ofneedles. Continue working back and forth across stitches of heel flap, incorporating gusset stitches as follows: First Right Side Row: Sl I, work in pattern to last stitch of heel flap; Ssk last stitch of heel flap with first stitch of gusset.Turn. Wrong Side Row: Sl I, work in pattern to last stitch of heel flap; p2tog last stitch of heel flap with first stitch of gusset.Turn. Work these rows until all gusset stitches have been incorporated.Your Sherman heel is now complete, and you begin working in the round again.