TADPOLES DESIGNED BY: JENNA SWANSON
For the last few holidays, I've tried to focus on giving handmade gifts. But, one of my biggest problems with holiday knitting is that sometimes you have to give a gift still on the needles. I like patterns that are easily memorized, but hold my attention span. I designed these socks so they have an intriguing lace repeat, and are quick to knit. I like to think that I know my friends and family well enough to give them gifts they will enjoy, but I know that sometimes I miss the mark. Not so with these socks! My friends and family love the undulating pattern. One friend commented that they reminded her of tadpoles swimming through the water. All at once, 1 was picturing myself knitting by the side cool pond on a hot summer day. Not a bad daydream for the middle of winter.
PATTERN:
SIZE Women's medium
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Calf: # 8 inches unstreched Foot length: variable
Note:you can easily customize the fit by removingoraddingstitchestothestockinette portion of the sock. You may have to rework the numbers for the heel if you choose this option.
MATERIALS
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Mediumweight $[100\%$ superwash merino; 380yds/347m per 155g skein]; color: Lucky; 1 skeins
1 set US #2/ 2.75mm double-point needles (Or size needed to obtain gauge) stitch marker tapestry needle GAUGE 28 stitches/40 rows $=$ 4" in stockinette stitch
PATTERN NOTES
Lace Pattern (worked over 32 stitches) Rnd 1: p1, k9, k2tog, k3, y0, p2, yo, k3, ssk, k9, p1 Rnd 2: p1, k8, k2tog, k3, yo, ktbl, p2, k1, yo, k3, ssk, k8, p1 Rnd 3: p1, k7, k2tog, k3, yo, k2, p2, k2, yo, k3, ssk, k7, p1 Rnd 4: p1, k6, k2tog, k3, yo, k3, p2, k3, yo, k3, ssk, k6, p1 Rnd 5: p1, k5, k2tog, k3, yo, k4, p2, k4, yo, k3, ssk, k5, p1 Rnd 6: p1, k4, k2tog, k3, yo, k5, p2, k5, yo, k3, ssk, k4, p1 Rnd 7: p1, k3, k2tog, k3, yo, k6, p2, k6, yo, k3, ssk, k3, p1 Rnd 8: p1, k2, k2tog, k3, yo, k7, p2, k7, yo, k3, ssk, k2, p1 Rnd 9: p1, k1, k2tog, k3, yo, k8, p2, k8, yo, k3, ssk, k1, p1 Rnd 10: p1, k2t0g, k3, yo, k9, p2, k9, y0, k3, ssk, p1 Chart:
PATTERN
Cuff
Cast on 64 stitches using the long tail method. Divide evenly between needles (16 stitches on each needle). Join carefully into the round, making sure not to twist. If you'd like, mark the beginning of the round. Work K2, P2 ribbing for 12 rows.
Leg
Knit 32 stitches (Needle 1 and needle 2). Work row one of chart over next 32 stitches (needles 3 and 4). Continue in this manner until you have completed 6 pattern repeats.
Heel Flap
The heel flap is worked back and forth across 32 stitches. Sl 16 stitches from needle 2 to needle 1. Row 1: [RS] $\mathbf{\ddot{\tau}}\mathbf{S}\mathbf{l}\mathbf{1}$ $\mathbf{k1^{*}}$ to end Row 2: [WS] S1, purl to end Repeat these 2 rows 15 more times. (32 rows worked)
Turn Heel
Row 1 [RS]: K17, ssk, k1, turn work. Row 2 [Ws]: Sl1, p3, p2tog, p1, turn work. Row 3 [RS]: Sl1, k4, ssk, k1, turn work. Row 4 [WS]: Sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn work. Row 5 [RS]: Sl1, k6, ssk, k1, turn work. Row 6 [WS]: Sl1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn work. Row 7 [RS]: Sl1, k8, ssk, k1, turn work. Row 8 [WS]: Sl1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn work. Row 9 [RS]: Sl1, k10, ssk, k1, turn work. Row 10 [WS]: Sl1, p11, p2tog, p1, turn work. Row 11 [RS]: Sl1, k12, ssk, k1, turn work. Row 12 [WS]: Sl1, p13, p2tog, p1, turn work. Row 13 [RS]: Sl1, k14, ssk, k1, turn work. Row 14 [WS]: Sl1, p15, p2tog, p1, turn work.
18 stitches remain.
Gusset
Rearrange stitcnes as follows: K 9 stitches onto a new needle. Knit remaining 9 stitches. (This is now needle 1.) You are now ready to pick up stitches to form the gusset. Using needle 1, pick up and knit 16 stitches. Work chart row 1 over needles 2 and 3. Using needle 4, pick up and knit 16 stitches, then knit the remaining 9 stitches from the heel. Rnd 1: K to last 3 stitches of needle 1, k2tog, k1; work next round of chart pattern Over needles 2 and 3, k1, ssk, K to end of needle 4. Rnd 2: K to end of needle one, work next round of chart pattern over needles 2 and 3, K to end of needle 4. Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 seven times more. K to last 3 stitches of needle 1, k2tog, k1; work next round of chart pattern over needles 2 and 3, k1, ssk, K to end of needle 4. 64 stitches; 16 stitches on each needle.
Foot
Continue in pattern as set (needle 1- knit, needles 2 and 3- chart pattern, needle 4- knit) until the foot is 1.5 inches less than desired length.
Toe
Rnd 1: K 1 round. Rnd 2: K to last 3 stitches on needle 1, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to end of needle 2; k to last 3 stitches on needle 3, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to end of needle 4. Repeat these 2 rounds 8 times more. 28 stitches remain. Using needle 4, k to end of needle 1. Slip stitches from needle 2 to needle 3. Graft stitches on needle 3 to stitches on needle 4.
FINISHING
Weave in ends. Block if desired. Celebrate another gift completed (even if it is a gift for yourself)!
This pattern is for personal use only. Please do not sell items made from this pattern. If you would like donate or auction the socks for charity, please do so. You may not print or download this pattern for sale or distribution without the express written consent of the author (me). Thank you! Jenna can be found on Ravelry.com as gidgettm. Please send a Ravelry message or email gidgetstitches@gmail.com if you have any questions.
