Similar to a mermaid, an Undine is a water spirit, believed to originate from Germany. Undines lived in the lakes and rivers and waterfalls, and it was believed that an Undine could gain a human soul by marrying a man and bearing his child. Unfortunately, Undines have a tendency to lure men to their underwater home — where they drown. As I was working the simple feather and fan pattern, it reminded me of ripples on a lakewho knows what might be lurking below the shimmering surface. While I knit only ankle length socks, Undine can be made into full length socks, simply by re peating the four pattern rows to the desired length before beginning the heel. Alternatively, you can also knit the only purl row, omitting the garter ridge for a different look. Happy Knitting!
Materials:
Approximately 200-400 yards of fingering weight yarn, depending on cuff and foot length. We suggest Wandering Cat Studio's Top Cat or Alley Cat Sock yarn. Sample pictured was knit with Top Cat in ‘Budgie' Set of 2.5mm double pointed needles Tapestry needle Gauge: 40 rows 32 stitches over 4 inches in stocknit stitch. Abbreviations: $\mathrm{K}{=}\,\mathrm{Knit}$ $\scriptstyle\mathrm{P=Purl}$ YO=Yarn over K2tog $\equiv$ Knit two together $S S\mathrm{K}{=}$ Slip 1, slip 1, then knit together
Feather and Fan
4, (k2 tog) x 2 Row 4: Purl
Sock Pattern:
Cast on 60 stitches Divide across four needles and join, being careful not to twist First round: Purl Second Round: Knit Third Round: Purl Begin pattern Round 1: Knit Round 2: Knit Row 1: Knit Row 2: Knit Row 3: (K2 tog) x 2, (yo, k1) x Round 3: [ (K2 tog) x 2, (yo, k1) x 4, (k2 tog) x 2] x5 Round 4:Purl Repeat last 4 rounds until leg reaches desired length, ending with Round 4. (Sock pictured has five pattern repeats) Next Row: Slip nine stitches from needle #4 onto needle #1. Knit 21 more stitches, turn. Next row: Purl Begin heel Next row: S1, k1 across first 30 stitches, turn. (leave remaining 30 stitches on needle for later) Next row: Sl, p29 Repeat last two rows 13 more times Shape bottom of heel Next row: K17, ssk, k1, turn Next row (ws): Sl, p5, p2tog, p1, turn Next row (rs): S1 k6, ssk, k1, turn Next row: S1, p7, p2tog, pl, turn Continue decreasing in this manner until 18 stitches remain. Knit back across row, dividing evenly across two needles.
Begin gusset
With right side facing, pick up and knit 14 stitches from side of heel onto needle (this becomes needle #1). Knit across needles holding remaining cuff stitches (these become needle #2 and #3). With new needle pick up and knit 14 stitches from side of heel, then knit remaining nine stitches of heel (this becomes needle #4). Next round: Knit to last two stitches on needle #1, k2tog, k first 3 stitches on needle #2 work two pattern repeats beginning with Row 2 across needle #2 and #3, knit last 3 stitches on needle #3, ssk first two stitches on needle #4, k to end. Next round: K Repeat last two rounds, continuing in stitch pattern as established across top of foot until 15 stitches remain on needle #1 and #4.
Work foot
Continue in pattern as set without decreasing until foot measures 2 inches less than desired length
Begin toe:
Knit across needle #1, needle #2 becomes beginning of round: K1, ssk, k to end of needle #2, knit to last three
stitches of needle #3, k2tog, k1 k1, ssk, k to end of needle #4, K to last three stitches of needle # 1, k2tog, k1 Next round: K Repeat last two rounds until 7 stitches remain on each needle. Kitchener stitch toe closed and sew in ends.
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