Newspaper Socks
Original Design for the October O4 Sockof Whenever Group by Laura Andersson
The Newspaper Socks
This pattern is another excursion into "simple elegance" - unique designs using basic stitches. The caston has a lacey effect that Ilove, providing a huge payoff in elegance for only a smalleffort, using larger needles enhance the effect. Then, the combination of a massive increase in stitch count followed by plain knit & a massive decrease, results in a poufed design, also attractive for washcloths, sleeves, and baby blankets. A simple purl ridge helps your cuff to fold down, and provides a whole new avenue for sock decoration. The reinforcing thread (note 1) provides yet another avenue for creativity as wellas functionality. The Newspaper Sock pattern includes 4 lesons: [1] the "beaded cast-on"; [2l a fold-down cuff [3] a new "ruched" pattern stitch; and [4] the use of reinforcement for the heel and toe. Yarn: Stahl Socka or Lang Jawol, both sock weight yarns comprised of wool and some nylon. Matching reinforcement yarn (note 2). For most sizes, you wil need only 2 skeins of yarn; for larger sizes, buy 1 extra skein of the black&white. Sizing: The pattern is written for woman's medium with child's large/woman's small and woman's large in (). Needles:Size3us $(3.25\;\mathrm{mm})$ for cast on; size 2 us $(2.75\;\mathrm{mm})$ for leg;size1.5 US $(2.25\;\mathrm{mm})$ forheel and foot,OR sizes required toobtain gauge. Gauge: 85 spi (stitches per inch over leg and knit part of cuff; 9 spi for heel and foot. (note 3). Abbreviations are listed at end of pattern The story: "What's black and white and red all over?" Besides a "sunburned zebra" (LOL), the most common answer is a NEWSPAPER. As one of my late father's favorite jokes, it became the theme for our socks. The sock has a red cuff, heel, and toe; leg & foot are in black&white, with "newspaper column" ribbing
The Newspaper Sock pattern:
Lesson 1: the beaded cast-on. Using the RED (cc) yarn and your largest needles, preferably needles with good sharp points, cast on 2 stitches. Now, bind off one. Repeat this by casting on another two stitches, and binding off one. Two stitches made. Continue in this manner until all desired stitches are on the needle. You will need 68 (60, 80) for sizes medium (small, large). Now, work one row of K2P2 rib with the larger needle; arrange the stitches and join, being careful not to twist. Place a marker. Look at your work: the beaded cast on makes a nice decorative edge, and by using needles a wee bit larger, you emphasize the beads and the lace of this edge. Granted, it is a fussy cast-on, and a lot of work, but oh my, the results are worth the effort! Lessons 23: the Ruched patte and a fol-dwn cuf For this patten you will be working ontheWRONG side, as you willater fold down the cuff Thismeans you must paycareful atention to what you'redoing, and alo that you must not worry if the side you see isn't what you were hoping for.
At this point, you have completed the cuff. Now you will want to make a "turning edge" to help the cuff lay flat. Knit two rows, and now begin the "newspaper column rib" for the leg. The stitch count of 60 is perfect for the small size; both the medium and large sizes should decrease two stitches to obtain a multiple of 6 stitches. The count is now 66 (60, 78). This rib is simply a K4P2 rib, worked in two parts: 2 inches of red rib, and then a color change to work 3 inches of the black&white rib. The Heel: when you have completed the leg ribbing, prepare for the hee. Knit across 17 (15, 20) stitches, and then turn and purl back across 34 (20, 40) stithes. Set the remaining stitches aside for later. Change back to the red yarn; change to your smallest needles. Lesson 4: Using Reinforcement. A packet of reinforcement has been provided. This is a very fine yarn identical in composition to the sock yarn. Simply hold the reinforcement along with the regular yarn as you work the hel. Itis so fine it will not significantly impact your gauge but it will strengthen the hel. The heel used is a standard one: Knit side slip the first stitch, knit the next. Slip one, knit one across the row. Purl side, slip the first stitch, purl all stitches across the row. Work the heel to about 3 inches from beginning for size medium; 2.75 inches for size small 3.25 inches for size large. Turning the heel. (Continue using the reinforcement.) Work to the center of the row, slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over (PSO), knit 1. Turn. Purl side, slip 1, purl 5, p2tog, turn. Knit side, slip 1, work to 1 stitch before the gap,slip 1, knit 1, ps,knit 1,tunPurl sie, slip 1, purl t stith bfore the gap, pto P, turn. Rpeat uil all stiches are used. Cut the reinforcement and prepare to work the gussets. Gussets: Cut CC and rejoin the MC for the foot. Pick up your gusset stitches and now work the gusset decreases until the sock is at the desired number of stitches. Continue using the smallest needle. (Note 4). Gusset decreases. Decrease Round: On needle 1, work to last 3 stitches and then slip 1, knit 1, psso, knit 1. On needle 2, work across with no decreases. On needle 3, knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, psso; knit across. Plain round: work across all stitches without decreasing. Alternate these two rounds until your final stitch count is as desired. Now work the foot with the black&white yarn until the sock is 2 to $2.25"$ from end of longest toe. My faoorite toe (rounded): First you will make a color change to the red CC yarn; second, add the reinforcement strand. The toe is worked in a combination of decrease and plain rounds. Decrease round: work across needle 1 to last three stitches and then K1, Slip1, psso, knit 1. Needle 2: Knit 1,slip 1, knit 1, sso; Work across to last 3 stitches and K1, Slip 1, psso, Knit 1. Needle 3: Knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, psso, work across. Plain round: no decreases. Shaping: [al work 1 decrease round and 3 plain rounds; [b] work 1 decrease round and 2 plain rounds; repeat; [] work 1 decrease round and 1 plain round. Repeat pattern [c] until your stitch count is down to 18 stitches. Now decrease every round until you reach 8-12 stitches. Finishing: Close the toe with your desired method. Go back and tuck in that starting end & now quickly, start that 2nd sock. Don't forget to do your "happy dance"!
best, Laura
Notes: 1. First alternate choice: use a black&white reinforcing strand in the heel and toe. 2. Lang Jawoll sock yarns come with their own reinforcement mini-skeins I adore these and collct them in a mini=lunchbox. For the Socka, you can buy reinforcement from vendors such as the Socka we provided from Judy $@$ www.theknitter.com.At $\mathbb{S}2.40$ or so each, they initially seem rather expensive, but the extended wear they willprovide to your socks is worth it, IMHO. [Unless you LiKE darning or re-knitting sock toes and heels?] 3.Youpalywthsaledtghit foeftwilllymaete longer, but also make them more comfortable to wear! 4. Some people have a foot that is narrower or wider than their ankle and lower leg. If this applies to you or your sock recipient, decrease anextra 24 stitches. If the foot is wider, stop the gusset decreases sooner toleave 24 extra stith.
