Dakenshiels
This pattern is inspired by (but not an exact representation of) the armored shirt worn by Thorin Oakenshield in the recent Hobbit films. It includes quite a lot of cabling, and the resulting sock has an all-over pattern. The cables do make this sock a bit less elastic than previous socks I've designed, so if you're at all in doubt, I recommend going up a size. Since this pattern would make a very handsome man's sock as well as a lovely woman's, I've included a larger range of sizes than I normally would: Small (Medium, Large, Extra-Large). The small size would probably fit a pre-teen's foot. Skill-Level: Intermediate, this is an all-over cabled sock Materials: approx. 360(380,410,450) yds of s0ck yarn; a cable needle or the ability to cable without a needle; scissors, and a tapestry needle Needles: US1(2.25mm) sock needles. The pattern is eventually written for DPNs, but magic loop knitters can easily continue using stitch markers to note needle placements. Sizing: Small (Medium, Large, Extra-Large) socks measure 8(8.5,9,9.5) inches or 20(21.5,23,24.5) cm in circumference. Leg-length, Ankle, and foot are all adjustable to fit and preference. Choose a size based on the circumference of the ball of the foot, just at the base of the toes. Abbreviations and stitch definitions: K= Knit one P= Purl one C3F= Slip 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold to the front of the work. K1, then K2 from the cable needle C3B= Slip 1 stitch to a cable needle and hold to the back of the work. K2, then K1 from the cable needle C4B= Slip 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold to the back of the work. K2, then K2 from the cable needle. S1= Slip one stitch (purlwise) P2tog= purl two stitches together as one K2tog= knit two stitches together as one SSK= perform a slip, slip, knit
Cuff:
Cast-on 60(72, 84, 96) stitches and join for working in the round. Work a K1, P1 rib for 1.5 inches or 4cm.
Leg:
The leg features an allover cable pattern, that overlaps the beginning of the round at certain points (the blue and green highlighted squares on the key). Refer to the written directions for assistance with these lines. The 12-stitch pattern should be worked 5(6, 7, 8) times to complete each leg round. RoUnd 1: [K2, P2, K4, P2, K2] 5(6,7,8) times Round 2: K2 then [P1, C3B, C3F, P1, C4B] 4(5,6,7) times, P1, C3B, C3F, P1, work a C4B using the last two stitches of this round and the first two stitches of the next. Maintain the beginning of the round between the cable. Round 3: The first two stitches of this round have already been worked as part of the final cable of the previous round, P1, K2, P2, K2, P1, K2, then [K2, P1, K2, P2, K2, P1, K2] 4(5.6,7) RoUnd 4: [P2, C3B, P2, C3F, P2] 5(6,7,8) times Round 5: [P2, K2, P4, K2, P2] 5(6,7,8) times RoUnd 6: [P1, C3B, P4, C3F, P1] 5(6,7,8) times Round 7: [P1, K2, P1, K4, P1, K2, P1] 5(6,7,8) times RoUnd 8: [C3B, P1, C4B, P1, C3F] 5(6,7,8) times Rounds 9,10,11,13,14,15,17,18, & 19: work as Round 1 RoUnds 12 & 16: [K2, P2, C4B, P2, K2] 5(6,7,8) RoUnd 20: [C3F, P1, C4B, P1, C3B] 5(6,7,8) times Round 21: work as Round 7 RoUnd 22: [P1, C3F, P4, C3B, P1] 5(6,7,8) times Round 23: work as Round 5 RoUnd 24: [P2, C3F, P2, C3B, P2] 5(6,7,8) times Round 25: [K2, P1, K2, P2, K2, P1, K2] 5(6,7,8) times Round 26: K2 then [P1, C3F, C3B, P1, C4B] 4(5,6,7) times, then P1, C3F, C3B, P1, work a C4B using the last two stitches of this round and the first two stitches of the next. Maintain the beginning of the round between the cable. Round 27: The first 2 stitches of this round have already been worked as part of the final Cable in the previous round. P2, K4, P2, then [K2, P2, K4, P2, K2] 4(5,6,7) times Rounds 28, 29, 32, 33, & 36: work as Round 1 Rounds 30 & 34: K2 then [P2, K4, P2, C4B] 4(5,6,7) times, then P2, K4, P2, work a C4B usinc the last two stitches of this round and the first two stitches of the next. Maintain the beginning of the round between the cable. Rounds 31 & 35: work as round 27. Rounds 1-36 form the leg pattern, and can be repeated as needed to create the leg of the sock. when the leg reaches the desired length, note the final round worked— you will continue from this point when working the gusset.
Heel Flap:
The heel flap should be worked over the next 24(36, 36, 48) stitches, and will be worked as flat knitting, not in the round. Row 1 (right side): [S1, K1] 12(18,18,20) times Row 2 (wrong side): S1, P23 (35, 35, 39) Repeat Rows 1&2 until the heel flap reaches the desired length. Typical heel flaps are approximately 2.5 inches or 6 cm, a slightly longer heel flap will create a stretchier ankle on the sock, which is more comfortable for those with high arches. End after working a Row 1, prepared to work a wrong side row.
Heel Turn:
The heel turn is worked in short rows, to turn the direction of the knitting. Begin the heel turn with a wrong side row. Row 1: S1, P14 (20, 20, 26), P2tog, P1, turn work Row 2: S1, K7, SSK, K1, turn work Row 3: S1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn work Row 4: S1, K9, SSK, K1, turn work Row 5: S1, P10, P2tog, P1, turn work Row 6: S1, K11, SSK, K1, turn work Row 7: S1, P12, P2tog, P1, turn work Row 8: S1, K13, SSK, K1, Small Size, stop here. Medium, Large, & Extra-large size: turn work Row 9: S1, P14, P2tog, P1, turn work Row 10: S1, K15, SSK, K1, turn work Row 11: S1, P16, P2tog, P1, turn work Row 12: S1, K17, SSK, K1, turn work Row 13: S1, P18, P2tog, P1, turn work Row 14: S1, K19, SSK, K1, Medium & Large size stop here. Extra-large Size: turn work Row 15: S1, P20, P2tog, P1, turn work Row 16: S1, K21, SSK, K1, turn work Row 17: S1, P22, P2tog, P1,turn work Row 18: S1, K23, SSK, K1 Row 19: S1, P24, P2tog, P1, turn work Row 20: S1, K25, SSK, K1, turn work Row 21: S1, P26, P2tog, P1, turn work Row 22: S1, K27, SSK, K1 Total Heel Turn stitches: 16 (22, 22, 30)
Gusset:
The gusset returns to knitting in-the-round, using the heel turn stitches, picked-up stitches from either side of the heel flap, and the reserved leg stitches. when working the reserved leg stitches, begin the foot/gusset chart using the line numbers from the leg chart (eg. if you finished the leg chart at line 10, begin the gusset with line 11 of the foot Chart). Note: The stitch count for the Small and Large size foot patterns will not be evenly distributed between instep and sole-- this will be fixed before working the toe of the sock. Set-up Gusset Round: Using the needle currently holding the heel turn stitches, and working on the right side of the fabric, pick up and knit one stitch in each slipped stitch along the side of the heel flap (This is now Needle 1). Using a second needle (Needle 2), work the appropriate chart line from the foot chart across the reserved leg stitches. Using a third needle (Needle 3), pick up and knit the same number of stitches in the slipped stitches along the other side of the heel flap AND knit 8(11,11,15) of the heel flap stitches on Needle 1. Gusset Round 1: On Needle 1, knit to the last three stitches, SSK, K1. On Needle 2, work the next line of the foot chart. On Needle 3, K1, K2tog, knit to the end of the round. Gusset Round 1: On Needle 1, knit all stitches. On Needle 2, work the next line of the heel flap. On Needle 3, knit all stitches. Alternate working Gusset Rounds 1 & 2 until 60(72, 84, 96) stitches remain.
Foot:
The foot maintains the patterns as they have been established without further gusset decreases. Foot Round: On Needle 1, knit all stitches. On Needle 2, work the next line of the heel flap. On Needle 3, knit all stitches. Work the foot round until the foot of the sock measures 1.5 inches or 4cm shorter than the total desired foot length.
Toe:
The sock features a very slightly altered wedge toe. Note: Before working the toe rounds, stitches for the SMALL and LARGE sizes need to be redistributed evenly. Work this as follows: Knit all stitches on Needle 1 AND knit 3 stitches from Needle 2 onto Needle 1. On Needle 2, knit to the last 3 stitches. Slip those 3 stitches to Needle 3, and knit all stitches on Needle 3. SMALL SizE: Needles 1&3 should now have 15 stitches each. Needle 2 should have 30 stitches. LARGE SizE: Needles 1&3 should not have 21 stitches each. Needle 2 should have 42 stitches. Toe Round 1: On Needle 1, knit to the last three stitches, K2tog, K1. On Needle 2, K1, SSK, knit to the last three stitches, K2tog, K1. On Needle 3, K1, SSK, knit to the end of the round. Repeat Toe Rounds 1&2 a total of 6(8,10,12) times. Then work ONLY toe round 1 a total of 4(5,5,5) times. Total stitches: 20(20,24,28).
Finishing:
To finish the sock, use Needle 3 to knit across the stitches remaining on Needle 1. There should now be an equal number of stitches across Needles 2&3. Break the yarn, leaving a long tail, and work the Kitchener Stitch to close the toe. Weave in and trim all loose ends, and lightly block if desired.
Charts
Leg Pattern (All Sizes) \*Note: Lines 2, 26, 30, & 34 should be referenced in the written directions
Small/Medium Gusset & Foot Chart:
Large/Extra-large Gusset & Foot Chart:
