Night Gulls
This sock brings together two main stitch patterns that show off the veil-dyed, variegated Dream in Color Smooshy sock yarn. It should work well with other non-pooling semi-solid yarns, as well as heathers and solids (Il recommend avoiding wild multis and pooling yarns, as they would obscure the stitchwork). Because several stitches are used, these socks have a "sampler" feel that helps maintain the intermediate knitter's interest while resulting in a cohesive design. The gull stitch used on the cuff features floating strands which highlight the color variation in the yarn. The diagonal rib stitch used around the ankle and on the instep pulls is very elastic, providing stretchy snugness just where you need it most. Socks are knit cuff-down on 2 circular needles, but feel free to use your favorite cuff-down technique. I've used a flap heel and star toe, but again, feel free to substitute your favorite heel/toe.
Size
M(L) to fit feet about $8^{\prime\prime}(9.75^{\prime\prime})$ in circumference.
Yarn
Dream in Color Smooshy $[100\%$ superwash; ${\sim}450$ yards per 4 oz skein]; color Night Watch (Cocoa Kiss); 1 skein
Recommended needles
$2.25\,\mathsf{m m}$ or size needed to obtain gauge
Gauge
8 st/10.5 rows per inch in stockinette stitch in the round
Stitch guide
Right Twist (RT): There are many ways to execute this 1x1 cable, but I find the simplest is this: Knit 2 stitches together, but do not slip them from the left needle. Then knit the frst (rightmost)stitch again, and slip both offthe left needle. A pointy needle is helpful. Cuff: CO 64(72). Divide stitches evenly over 2 circular needles and join to begin knitting in the round. $\mathsf{A}$ Beqin garter ridqe rib (a 4-round repeat): Rounds 1-3 \*K5 P3; rep from \* (\*K3 P3; rep from \*) Round 4 P Repeat these 4 rounds once (twice) more.
For L size only: rearrange stitches.
In order for the gullstitch pattern (coming next!) to be centered over the 3 knit stitches from the preceding ribbing, you will need to rearrange stitches. Move the last stitch worked on needle 2 to the beginning of needle 1 (unpurl it). Move the last stitch worked on needle 1 to the beginning of needle 2. Now each needle begins with a purl stitch. You should still have 36 stitches on each needle.
B Beqin qull stitch (a 4-round repeat):
C Transition. Resume garter ridge rib (a 4-round repeat):
Rounds 1-3 \*K5 P3; rep from \* (\*K5 P1; rep from \*) Round 4 P Repeat these 4 rounds two times MORE. Knit rounds 1-3 again. [15 rounds total in this section, with 3 purl ridges.]
For M size only: rearrange stitches.
In order for the diagonal rib pattern (coming next!) to be centered over the 5-stitch"gulls" you will need to rearrange stitches. Move the last stitch worked on needle 2 to the beginning of needle 1 (unpurl it). Move the last stitch worked on needle 1 to the beginning of needle 2. Now each needle begins with a purl stitch. You should still have 32 stitches on each needle.
D Begin diagonal rib stitch (a 4-round repeat):
Repeat these 4 rounds 4x MORE [5x total.] [I find it easier to keep track of the number of rows knitted by counting the stitches in the K column on the inside of the sock - this is easier to read than the pattern showing on the outside of the sock.]
HEEL
Rearrange stitches.
In order for the diagonal rib pattern to remain centered on the top of the foot, rearrange stitches so that there are 33(37) on needle 1/instep/top of foot and 31(35) on needle 2/sole/bottom of foot. The instep needle will start and end with a P stitch. (You will need to unpurl the last stitch from the previous round to achieve this).
Heel Flap.
Work over 31(35) stitches on needle 2, beginning with a WS row. Row 1 (WS) Slip 1, P to end of row Row 2 (RS) \*Slip 1, k1; rep from \* end with another K1 Repeat these 2 rows 15(17) times MORE [16x(18x) total]。
Heel Turn.
Row 1 (WS) Slip 1, P 16(18), P2tog, P1, turn Row 2 (RS) Slip 1, K4(4), SSK, K1, turn Row 3 (WS) Slip 1, Kto 1 st before gap in last round, SSK, K1, turn Row 4 (RS) Slip 1, Pto 2 st before gap in last round, P2tog, P1, turn Repeat rows 3-4 until there are no remaining unworked stitches, ending with a RS row. You should have 17(19) stitches left.
Shape Gusset.
Resume knitting in the round. · With needle 2 (sole), pick up and knit the 16(18) slipped stitches on the side of the heel flap; also pick up and knit 2(2) more stitches in the gusset area (to avoid holes). . With needle 1 (instep), continue in pattern across the instep (remember to begin with the extra purl stitch - this will set offthe diagonal rib pattern nicely on the top of the foot). . With needle 2 (heel) again, pick up 2(2) stitches in the gusset area and then pick up and knit the 16(18) slipped stitches on the side of the heel flap. Continue knitting acros the rest of the stitches on the heel needle. You should now have 33(37)stitches on the instep needle and 53(59) stitches on the sole needle. Round 1 Instep needle Continue in diagonal rib stitch (remembering to begin with the extra purl) Sole needle \*K1, SSK, K until3 st remain, K2tog, K1; rep from \* Round 2 Instep needle Continue in diagonal rib stitch Sole needle K Repeat these 2 rounds until you have 31(35) st on heel needle. 64(72) st total.
FOOT
Work foot.
Continue knitting in diagonal rib stitch on the instep and st st on the sole until you are $2^{\prime\prime}(2.5^{\prime\prime})$ short of desired foot length. Then knit 3(6) rounds in st st.
TOE
Toe - medium size only.
This star-style toe decreases 6 stitches every other round. The medium size sock (at 64 stitches) does not have a total number of stitches divisible by 6, so we must make an adjustment on the first decrease round. You have 33 stitches on the top needle and 31 stitches on the bottom needle. Round begins with top needle. Adjustment round $^{\ast}\mathsf{K}\mathsf{g}_{.}$ , K2tog; rep from $\ast3\times$ MORE, K20. You should now have 30 stitches on each needle. Next Round K Round 1 \*K8, K2tog; rep from \* Round 2 K Repeat Rounds 1-2, decreasing 6 stitches each time (so next round will be K7, K2tog...) until 6 stitches remain (3 on each needle). Break yarn and run through 6 stitches. Pullto inside of sock and weave in.
Toe - large size only.
This star-style toe decreases 6 stitches every other round. You have 72 stitches, but they are unevenly divided (37 on instep and 35 on sole). Slide the last stitch on the instep needle to the beginning of the sole needle (this is not where the working yarn is, by the way) - you now have 36 stitches on each needle. Begin toe decrease: Round 1 \*K10, K2tog; rep from \* Round 2 K Repeat Rounds 1-2, decreasing 6 stitches each time (so next round will be K9, K2tog..) until 6 stitches remain (3 on each needle). Break yarn and run through 6 stitches. Pull to inside of sock and weave in.
