Sakana: A Unique Japanese-Inspired Fish-Themed Intermediate Knitting Pattern for Socks

Sakana

'Sakana' is the Japanese word for Fish. This sock pattern was named as such because of the fin-like cuffs and the iridescent colours and textures of the Koi. The cuff is made of a stretchy lace, while the rest of the sock features spiralling twisted stitches that swim in opposite directions. Skill Level: Intermediate. If you don't already know how to make socks (including turning a heel; knowledge of heel decreases and grafting a toe etc.), don't despair! There are lots of free sock tutorials on: http://www.youtube.com and http://www.Ravelry.com

Sizing

Approximate shoe size: Women's medium (US 6-10 / Euro 38-42 / UK 6-9).

Materials

■ 100g (3.5oz) Sock yarn (100% Merino or 75/25% Merino/Nylon) 2.0mm (US 0) & 2.50mm (US 1.5) Circular Needles 60cm (24") or longer. Note: Due to nature of travelling stitches, DPNs may not be suitableforthispattern. 3 x Stitch markers (per sock) Tapestry needle for grafting toe.

Abbreviations

K = Knit K1tbl = Knit 1 through back loop K2TOG = Knit 2 sts together (1 stitch decrease) KFB =Knit through front then back of same stitch (1 stitch increase) P = Purl P2TOG = Purl 2 sts together (1 stitch decrease) PM=Place Marker Sl1 = Slip 1 stitch SSK = slip slip knit. Slip 2 sts knit-wise then k2tog through back loop (1 stitch decrease) T2F =Twist 2 Front (Left Twist) T2B = Twist 2 Back (Right Twist) YO = Yarn over (1 stitch increase)

Gauge

For guideline purposes, this gauge is based on the suggested yarn below: KnitPicks StrollTonal sock yarn: 100g 422m (462 yds), 75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon. Gauge in twisted st pattern: 31 sts x 47 rows = 10cm (4") on 2.5mm (Us 1.5) needles. Everybody's gauge is different, so it is always best to do a swatch to check your gauge!

Construction Notes

The sock is worked from the top-down. The cuff is an Eyelet Rib, while the rest of the leg is a diagonal line formation. One sock is T2F (Twist 2 Front - also known as LEFT ) and the other sock is T2B (Twist 2 Back - also known as RIGHT TWIST I)- both are also charted. Chart key can be found on last page. The diagonal lines slant in opposite directions for each sock. The twists occur at every Odd number round.The Twists are a Knit/Purl Stitch crossover. All K sts in this twisted stitch formation are KTBL (knit through back loop). On the Even number rounds, just simplyKTBL whereKnit stitches appear and PURL the rest.A detailed explanation on howtodothisis attheendofthisdocument. The twisted stitches at the instep (top of the foot) simply start and finish at the left and right of the instep. The heel arch (underside) will just remain a normal stockinette

stitch. Be aware: This stitch pattern is designed to spiral around the entire leg, so watch out for twists that go from end of one round to the beginning of the next round. This will affect your 'end of round' marker placement. Be aware of this and deal with it by shifting your marker over to the left or right by 1 or 2 purl stitches before you reach that end of round.

Start!

With smaller size needles, cast on: 64 sts. Place a marker to denote beginning of round. Join in the round, being careful notto twist.

Cuff

Set up round: P1, k6, p1, k6, p1, k1, P1, k6, p1, k6, p1, k1; repeat to end of round. Next: Repeat rounds 1 & 2 of chart below for 12 rounds (or desired length).

Writtenversion: Round 1: P1, k1, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1; repeat to end of round. Round 2: P1, k6, p1, k6, p1, k1; repeat to end of round.

Leg

Change to larger size needles. Next Round: k1, kfb, k31, kfb, k to end of round. Total no. of sts =1 k the set up round, followed by the Twisted Stitch chart pattern below until leg measures 15cm (E n edge (or desired length), end on an Odd number round.

Sock 1:T2F -LEFT TWIST

Set up Round: [K1tbl, p5] repeat to end of round.

Sock 2:T2B-RIGHT TWIST

Set up Round: [P5, k1tbl] repeat to end of round. Each chart indicates thefirst8rows of pattern. From the gth row onwards, simply followthestitch positions to infinity.

Written version of Left Twist Chart

Round 1:[T2F,p4] repeat to end. Round 2 and all even rounds:P the p sts,ktbl the ktbl sts. Round 3:[P1, T2F, p3] repeat to end. Round 5:[P2,T2F,p2] repeat to end. Round 7: [P3, T2F, p1] repeat to end. Round 8:Pthep sts,ktbl thektbl sts. Round 1: [p4, T2B] repeat to end. Round 2 and all even rounds:P thep sts,ktbl thektbl sts. Round 3:[P3,T2B,p1] repeat toend. Round 5: [P2, T2B, p2] repeat to end. Round 7: [P1, T2B, p3] repeat to end. Round8:Pthepsts,ktblthektblsts.

Heel flap

Divide for heel by leaving 36 sts on hold for instep (top of foot) then work the next 30 sts back and forth for heel as follows: Row 1(right side): sl1, k1. Repeat until end of row. Row 2: sl1, purl to end. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until heel flap measures 6.5cm (2.5 inches) or to desired length.

Heel Turn

Using short rows, turn heel as follows: Row 1(right side): sl1, k16, ssk, k1, turn. Row 2: sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn. Row 3: sl1, knit to one stitch before gap, ssk, k1, turn. Row 4: sl1, purl to one stitch before gap, p2tog, p1, turn. Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until 18 stitches remain.

Resume the Round

With right side facing, knit 9 sts, PM (Place marker) here to mark beginning of round. Knit the next 9 sts then pick up and knit 16 (or more) stitches from the left side of heel flap, PM. Work chart pattern for the instep (Even round), PM. Pick up and knit 16 (or more) stitches from the right side of the heel flap. Knit to end of round. The grand total of sts will be 86\*. \*Note: If the heel flap is longer than 6.5cm (2.5 inches), then pick up extra sts. The grand total of sts will be more, but this will mean that you willcontinue decreasing until there are 66 sts (or more, if you prefer a wider fit). As long as you maintain the 36 sts at the instep (top of foot) to keep it in pattern, then the rest is OK.

Decrease Heel

Decrease by 2 sts every alternate round as follows: Round 1: Knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, SM (slip marker). Work instep as per chart (at odd number round) until 2 sts after next marker, SM, k1, ssk, knit to end of round. Round 2: Knit up to instep pattern, work instep as per chart (Even round), knit to end of round. Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until total number of stitches reaches 66 (or more, as above note). Note:Thepattern differs slightlyhere.Instead ofspiralling around the entire foot, the twisted stitch pattern stops left and right.This is achieved by introducing a K st every 12 rounds. Make sure that you have 5 P sts between each K stitch to keep it in pattern.

Foot

Continueinpattern across36stsfortheinstep andstockinettefor the heel arch, until foot measures 6cm (2 inches) from the toe edge (or desired length). Remove all markers on last round.

Toe Section

Set up round: K16, PM - This will be your new beginning of round. K33, PM, knit to end of round Decreasetoesection asfollows: Round 1: [K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1] repeat to end of round. Round 2: Knit to end of round. Repeat rounds 1& 2 until 22 sts remain. Graft toe and weave in ends -That's it!!

Help!

Twisted Stitches

T2F - (left twist):

1) Slip the K stitch and the following P stitch onto the Right hand needle. 2) Insert Left hand needle into front loop of K stitch. 3) Pinch and hold both sts and pull free your Right hand needle. This will release both sts but the K st is still held on by the Left hand needle. 4) Quickly insert Right hand needle back into the free P st and put back onto the Left hand needle. 5)Purl, K1tbl. 6) Purl to the next K&P stitch pairing. 7) Repeat process until end of round.

IT2B - (right twist):

1)Slip the P stitch and the following K stitch onto the Right hand needle. 2) Insert Left hand needle into back loop of P st (approach from behind both sts). 3) Pinch and hold both sts and pull free your Right hand needle. This will release both sts but the P st is still held on by the Left hand needle. 4) Quickly insert Right hand needle back into the free K st and put back onto the Left hand needle. 5) K1tbl, Purl. 6) Purl to the next P&K stitch pairing. 7） Repeat process until end of round.