Ziggy's Toe-Up Socks A design by Moira Engel
Materials:
2 skeins Berocco Alpaca Light / 50% Super Fine Alpaca , 50% Peruvian Wool 144yd/50g Color: 4285, Oceanic Mix Gauge: 6 sts / 1" on 4mm needles Notions: Set of 5 - 4mm double point needles Stitch Markers Tapestry Needle
Zigzag Chart and Key
Cast on with an 8 wrap Turkish Cast On. Step 1: Make a slip knot on one double point needle Step 2: Hold two dpns parallel with the slip knot on the bottom needle. Step 3: Move the slip knot left and wrap yarn under towards the back and forward over the top make 8 wraps. Step 4: Knit the 8 wraps from the top needle, bringing the yarn from under the second needle to work the first top stitch. Slide the bottom stitches to the middle of the needle so that you don't lose them while you work the top stitches. Step 5: Flip your needles so that the bottom is now on top with the working yarn on the right. Knit the 8 wraps from the bottom (now top) needle. You now have 16 stitches. Arrange 4 sts. on each of 4 dpns. Working in the round, knit 12, place marker for bottom of foot. Knit one round even. Round 1: Needle#1: k3,m1,k1. Needle#2:k1,m1,k3. Needle#3:k3,m1,k1. Needle#4\~k1,m1,k3 (20sts) Round 2 and all even rounds: knit. Round 3:Needle#1:knit until 2 stitches before end of needle, m1,k1. Needle#2:k1,m1, knit to end of needle. Needle#3:knit until 2 stitches before end of needle, m1,k1. Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 until you have 44 sts. (11 on each needle). Work even until piece measures 6.5 inches from beginning of toe.
The toe portion of this sock is 2 inches and the heel portion takes up 3 inches. For a custom foot size, measure your foot and subtract 5 inches. Use that measurement for the centre portion of the foot.
Heel:
Knit 11. Turn, purl 22 ,working all sts. on one needle (slipping end marker as you work). Decrease Row 1: ssk, knit 20, turn. Decrease Row 2: p2tog, purl 18, turn. Repeat this pattern of decrease until you have 4 stitches remaining. You will begin to work in the round on this row. With right side facing, sl1, k3, pick up 18 stitches along decrease edge, k22, pick up 18 stitches along the other decrease edge, k2. 20 stitches on needle#1, 11, stitches on needle#2, 11, stitches on needle#3, 20 stitches on needle#4
Gusset:
Round 1: Knit to last 2 stitches on needle#1 k2 tog, knit across needles#2 and #3, needle ssk, knit to end marker on needle #4. Round 2: Knit all stitches. Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until you have 44 stitches. Note: This is a relatively tight calf. If you feel that you would like a looser calf, stop decreasing when you have 48 stitches. Pattern Set up will be in parenthesis if you choose to increase the calf.
Leg:
Set up pattern for leg portion: K6(7), place pattern marker, work 10 Zigzag chart stitches, place pattern marker, k12(14),place pattern marker, work 10 Zigzag chart stitches, place pattern marker, k6(7). Work 8" inches in pattern as arranged. Change to k2,p2 rib for 2"
Bind Off:
Because this is a tight sock, you will want to use a stretchy bind off. Bind off as follows: K2, \*insert the left needle into the front of both stitches on the right needle from left to right and knit the two stitches together through the back loops, k1. Repeat from \* until all stitches have been bound off. Fasten in ends!
