Wowsa Big Toe Socks
These were fun to make - I never got tired of looking at the color- KittnKolor makes this self-striping in several variations, and the orange is a semi-solid, so any of her strong contrast, two color yarns, and semi-solids would work well together. Bits of the orange color knit as half rows throughout the sock brings it all together. The toe color is started about 5 rows before the actual toe shaping, so the toe seems a bit exaggerated, thus the name! Yarn: KittnKolor's Fingering (etsy.com/shop/kittnkolor), 100% Superwash Merino, 400 yds, 110gms) in colorways "Scorpion" (Color A) and "Fuego" (Color B), or any similar mix of self-striping and contrasting semi-solid of same gauge. Gauge: 9.5 and 11 rows = 1" Needles: One set U.S. size 1.5 DPns Size: Men's medium Misc.: tapestry needle, row counter (optional)
How To:
Cuff: Using U.S. size 1.5 DPns, Long Tail method of choice for CO, and Color B, CO 78 sts and, being careful not to twist, join. Divide sts so there are 19 sts on 1 needle (Needle 1), 39 sts on another needle (Needle 2) and 19 sts on a third needle (Needle 3). Your long tail from CO should hang down bet Needles 1 and 3. K in K2P2 rib for 20 rds Body of Sock: Half Stripe Pattern: Rds 1 - i3: Change to Color A, and for K for 14 rds. Rd: 14: Change to Color B and K for 39 sts, then change back to Color A and finish rd. Rds 15 - 27 : K in Color A Rd 28: K 39 sts, change to Color B and K 39 sts to end of rd. Rds 29 - 42: K in Color A Rd 43: K 19 sts, change to Color B, and K for 39 sts. Change back to Color A and finish rd. Rd 44-57: K in Color A. Rep Rd 14 once, then K 14 rds in Color A. Beg heel flap. Heel flap: Using Color B, K across Needle 3 with Needle 1 so that there are 39 sts on one needle and Needle 2 holding the other 39 sts (instep sts). Work heel flap back and forth as on straight needles as follows: Row 1: (WS) Sl 1, P to end. Row 2: Sl 1, \*K1, Sl 1, K1\* rep bet \*\* to end Rep these two rows until there are 37 rows completed. Turn Heel: Change to Color B Row 1: (RS) K 20, SSK, K1, turn. Row 2: (WS) SL 1, P2, P2 tog, P1, turn Row 3: SI 1, K3, SSK, K1, turn. Row 4: Sl 1, P4, P2 tog, P1, turn. Row 5: Sl 1, K5, SSK, K1, turn. Row 6: Sl 1, P6, P2 tog, P1, turn. Row 7: Sl 1, K7, SSK, K1, turn. Row 8: Sl 1, P8, P2 tog, P1, turn. Row 9: Sl 1, K9, SSK, K1, turn. Row 10: Sl 1, P10, P2 tog, P1, turn. Row 11: Sl 1, K11, SSK, K1, Turn. Row 12: Sl 1, P12, P2 tog, P1, turn. Row 13: Sl 1, K13, SSK, K1, turn. Row 14: Sl 1, P14, P2 tog, P1, turn. Row 15: Sl 1, K15, SSK, K1, turn. Row 16: Sl 1, P16, P2 tog, P1, turn. Row 17: Sl 1, K17, SSK, K1, turn. Row 18: Sl 1, P18, P2 tog, P2 tog, turn. 20 sts rem. Pick Up for Gussets: Change to Color A With a new needle (Needle 1), and RS facing you, PU and K 19 sts alongside of heel flap. With another needle (Needle 2), K across the 39 instep sts. With a third needle (Needle 3), PU and K 19 sts along 2nd side of heel flap, then K across 10 sts of heel. Sl rem 10 from heel onto Needle 3. 97 sts total. Beg dec gusset.
Decreasing Gusset:
Rd 1: Needle 1: K to last 3 sts, K2 tog, K1. Needle 2: K Needle 3: K1, SSK, K to end Ka Z: K all neeates Rep these 2 rds until there 19 sts on Needle 1 and 3, and the set 39 instep sts on Needle 2. AT SAME TIME: Cont to follow Half Stripe patt as for Body of Sock, starting at Rd 28 and work while dec gusset, and through foot. Foot: Cont working foot as set, following Half Stripe patt, until foot measure 8 1/2" from back of heel. After last rep of Rd 14 of Half Strip patt, K in Color A for 6 rds. Toe: Change to Color B and K for 6 rds, then K2 tog at beg of Needle 2 on last rd (38 sts on Needle 2). Beg dec for toe.
Decreasing for Toe:
Needle 1: K to last 3 sts, K 2 tog, K1 Needle 2: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2 tog, K1 Needle 3: K1, SSk, K to end Rd 2: K all needles Rep these two rds until there are 11 sts on Needles 1 and 3 and 30 on Needle 2. Cont to dec, following Rd 1 only of Dec for Toe until there are 5 sts on Needles 1 and 3 and 10 sts on Needle 2. Using a tapestry needle, run yarn through all sts and pull tog tightly. Secure on inside of toe. Finishing: Weave in all loose ends on inside and on cuff of sock. Make second sock.
