Hidden Stairways
By Erica Lueder
Materials
Yarn: Fingering Weight - approx 350- 400yds. Sample sock knit with Bernat Baby Jacquards. Note: Sample sock and photographs appear courtesy of Valerie (Vallieskids on Ravelry). Needles: Us 1 (2.25mm) - set of 2 Circular Needles, or size needed to obtain gauge. Gauge: 36 sts per 4 inches (10cm)
Stairway Pattern
(Repeat from \* to \*) Rows 1-2: \*p2, k6\* Rows 3-4: \*k1, p2, k5\* Rows 5-6: \*k2, p2, k4\* Rows 7: \*k3, p2, k3\* Row 8: purl Row 9-10: \*k6, p2\* Rows 11-12: K5, p2, k1\* Rows 13-14: \*k4, p2, k2\* Row 15: \*k3, p2, k3\* Row 16: purl
Slightly Modified Garter-Stitch Edged Eye of Parridge Heel
Row l: k3, p to end Row 2: p3, \*kl, sl 1\* to last 3 sts, k3 Row 3: k3, p to end Row 4: p3, \*sl 1, K1\* to last 3 sts, k3
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cuff CO 64 sts, divide evenly over 2 circular needles (32 sts each needle). Join for knitting in the round. Work 20 rows of ribbing: \*k1, p1\* Leg Knit 1 row. Begin the Stairway Pattern for a total of 4 pattern repeats or until you have reached your desired length ending with row 8 or 16 of pattern.
Heel Flap The heel flap is worked using ndl 2; ndl 1 is holding the instep sts. Knit the Slightly Modified Garter-Stitch Edged Eye of Partridge Heel Pattern for a total of 8 pattern repeats (32 total rows) ending with Row 4 of the pattern. This leaves 16 edge sts for pick up after the heel is turned. Heel Turn Vith ws facing you, Sl 1, p 16, p2tog, pl, turn Next row: sl 1, k3, ssk, k1, turn Next row: sl 1, p4, p2tog, pl, turn Next row: sl 1, k5, ssk, k1, turn Next row: sl 1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn Next row: sl 1, k7, ssk, k1, turn \*\*continue inthis manner untillsts are have been knit - there should be 18 heel sts left on the needle at this point.\*\* Pick up (pu) the heel flap sts. Using the ndl holding the heel sts (now referred to as ndl 1): pu 16 sts along the heel flap, pu 1 extra st between the heel flap and the instep (to close the gap), pm, k across half of the instep sts (16 sts) in pattern. Switch to the other needle (now referred to as ndl 2). Using ndl 2: continue across second half of the instep sts (16 sts) in pattern, pm, pu I extra st between instep and heel flap (to close gap), pu 16 heel flap sts, continue to knit across half the heel sts (9 sts) \*\*at this point there should be 42 sts on each needle\*\*
Gusset
Set up row: Ndl 1: k across the heel and heel flap sts until you reach 2 sts before the marker, ssk, sm, continue to knit across the instep sts in pattern. Ndl 2: k across the instep sts in pattern, sm, k2tog, k to end Now we're ready to get going on the gusset @ Row 1: Ndl 1: k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, kl, sm, knit instep sts in pattern. Ndl 2: k across instep sts in pattern, sm, kl, ssk, k to end Row 2: Ndl 1: K to marker, sm, continue across instep sts in pattern. Ndl 2: k across instep sts in pattern, sm, k to end
\*\*Repeat these 2rows until there are 32 sts left on each needle (17 gusset rows total, not including the set-up row)\*\* Redistribute the sts so ndl 1 carries the instep sts and ndl 2 carries the sole sts.
Instep
Continue knitting in pattern (ndl 1: the Stairways Pattern, ndl 2: St st) until you have reached your desired length ending with row 8 or 16 of the Stairways Pattern. Decrease rounds are knit as follows: \*k1, ssk, kto last 3 sts, k2tog, k1\* Row 1: decrease (30 sts per ndl) Row 2 & 3: knit Row 4: decrease (28 sts per nd) Row 5 & 6: knit Row 7: decrease (26 sts per ndl) Row 8 & 9: knit Row 10: decrease (24 sts per ndl) Row 1l: knit Row 12: decrease (22 sts per ndl) Row 13: knit Row 14: decrease (20 sts per ndl) Row 15: knit Row 16: decrease (18 sts per ndl) Row 17: decrease (16 sts per ndl) Row 18: decrease (14 sts per ndl) Row 19: decrease (12 sts per ndl) Finishing Cut yarn leaving a 10 inch tail and weave through remaining sts using. the Kitchener technique. Weave in all ends and congratulate yourself on knitting a beautiful SOck $\circledast$ Now knit the other one if you haven't already. Abbreviations: CO: cast on k: knit k2tog: knit 2 stitches together ndl: needle p: purl p2tog: purl 2 stitches together pm: place marker pu: pick up sl 1: slip one stitch as if to purl ssk: slip, slip, knit St st: Stockinette Stitch sts: stitches Inspiration: Hogwarts is such an incredible castle and I love reading all about the twisting and turning stairways and corridors in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series. These socks are a tribute to those who seek to learn the many secrets and secret places held within Hogwarts' walls.
