Thamnophis Socks by GiNEvRA
The colors and scaly pattern of this gorgeous serpent, Thamnophis elegans terrestris (aka the Coast Garter Snake) inspired the creation of this sock.
Thamnophis Socks are knit toe-up and are based on the Muleteer Sock architecture. The pattern is written for 64 stitches; see the Muleteer Sock pattern\* for information on adapting the pattern to other sizes. To keep the instep and sole even, increase or decrease by groups of 8 stitches. Knitters can freely substitute their favorite heels, toes and cuffs, but if reversing the sock for top-down knitting, be aware that the "scales" will tend to scoop a little up rather than down. The difference should be minor when worn. Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight, Knitters Without Borders colorway: 1 skein (360 yards) Needles: Because the patterned section tends to draw up, this sock is knit using two different size needles for the sole and instep/leg respectively. The smaller needles should create a firm sole fabric at a suitable gauge; the larger needles should be two to three sizes larger. Sample used Us 1 (2.25 mm) and US 2.5 (3 mm) circular needles in a combination of two-circs and magic loop techniques. Gauge for sample sock: 9 st/in in stockinette on smaller needles Stitch pattern:
Pattern repeat: eight stitches x four rows The stitch pattern is suitable for variegated yarns.
Toe
Using Judy's Magic Cast On and smaller circular needle, cast 12 stitches onto each needle tip (24 st total). Rnd 1: knit. Rnd 2: \*k1, m1L, knit to 1 stitch before end of needle, m1R, k1\* repeat from \*. Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until there are 64 st total, 32 on each needle. Knit one round plain. On the first half of this round,knit the stitches thatwill become the
to the larger needle. You now have an instep needle (large) and a sole needle (smal
Foot
Begin knitting in pattern on the instep, according to the chart above. Rnd 1: Instep needle: knit 1, \*pick up running yarn between needles and place on right needle, knit 2, pass running yarn over 2 knit stitches, knit 2\*; repeat from \* to \*; ending with k1. Sole needle: knit. Rnd 2 and Rnd 4: Instep needle: knit. Sole needle: knit. Rnd 3: Instep needle: knit 3, \*pick up running yarn between needles and place on right needle, knit 2, pass running yarn over 2 knit stitches, knit 2\*; repeat from \* to \*; ending with k3. Sole needle: knit. Knit the foot, trying on the sock occasionally, until it reaches the place where your leg meets your foot when slightly stretched. Stop knitting after the instep on a patterned round (Round 1 or 3). Note: If you have a high arch, stop a bit sooner and knit your heel flap a bit longer
Heel Flap
Knit heel flap and turn on sole needle only. Rw 1: \*Sl 1 purlwise, k1. Repeat from \* to end. Rw 2: Sl 1 purlwise, p to end. Repeat rows 1 and 2 until (a) the heel flap is square (32 rows, 16 slipped stitches) or (b) the heel flap just reaches the back of your heel when the sock is stretched comfortably on your foot.
Heel Turn
Rw 1: Sl 1, k18, ssk, k1, turn. 2: Sl 1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn. 10 st remain unworked on each side of flap after the gap Rw 3: Sl 1, k8, ssk across the gap, k1, turn. Rw 4: Sl 1, p9, p2tog across the gap, p1, turn. Rw 5: Sl 1, k10, ssk across the gap, k1, turn. Rw 6: Sl 1, p11, p2tog across the gap, p1, turn. Rw 7: Sl 1, k12, ssk across the gap, k1, turn. Rw 8: Sl 1, p13, p2tog across the gap, p1, turn. Rw 9: Sl 1, k14, ssk across the gap, k1, turn. Rw 10: Sl 1, p15, p2tog across the gap, p1, turn. Rw 11: Sl 1, k16, ssk across the gap, k1, turn. Rw 12: Sl 1, p17, p2tog across the gap, p1, turn. 20 stitches remain on the heel needle.
Gusset
With the sole needle, knit across 10 heel stitches. Pull out a loop at this spot - this will be the official BORt but you will end up working the two sides of the heel almost as if they were their own sock on Magic Loop, with the instep needle worked in between. Knit the remaining 10 heel stitches, then pick up 16 stitches in each slipped stitch down the heel flap. Pick up 2 stitches in the gusset. With the instep needle, knit across instep in pattern. This should be a plain round (Round 2 or 4). Use the sole needle to pick up 2 stitches in the gusset, then pick up 16 stitches in the slipped stitches up the other side of the heel flap. Knit to end of rnd. 88 stitches total. Begin the gusset decreases as follows: Dec Rnd 1: On sole needle, knit to three stitches before the end, K2tog, k1. On instep needle, knit across in pattern. On sole needle, k1, SsK, knit to end of round (heel center). Dec Rnd 2: Instep needle: knit. Sole needle: knit. Repeat Dec Rnds 1 and 2 until the sock is down to 64 stitches again (a total of 24 times), ending with DecRnd 1. Knit Dec Rnd 2, knitting the former heel stitches onto the larger needle as you go. When you reach the heel center, knit 17 more stitches and rearrange needle so this is now the BOR. (This will keep you from having to pass the running yarn across a gap between the needles.)
Leg
Resume knitting in pattern, this time on both the front and back of the leg.
needles and place on right needle, knit 2, pass running yarn over 2 knit stitches, knit 2\*; repeat from \* to \*. Rnd 2 and Rnd 4: Knit. Rnd 3: \*Knit 2, pick up running yarn between needles and place on right needle, knit 2, pass running yarn over 2 knit stitches\*; repeat from \* to \*. Knit leg until it is about 1.5" shorter than the desired finished length, ending after a patterned round (Round 1 or 3). Knit 1 rnd plain, switching to smaller needles.
Ribbing
With smaller needles, knit 1.5" of k2 p2 ribbing. Switch back to larger needles on next round, knitting in pattern. Bind off loosely using Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall09/FEATjssbo.php) Weave in ends. Knit second sock.
