(NOTE: There were several errors in the heel of this sock pattern. I've reknit the heels and fixed the pattern and I apologize to all who had trouble. )
These warm socks have a rolled edge on top and a two color ribbing. They're perfect for those who aren't experienced with stranded color knitting and may have tight tension when knitting with 2 colors. The main stranded section of the socks is on the foot so you don't have to pull it over your heel. Plus they're knit in worsted weight yarn so you can finish them quickly.
Copyright 2006, Nanette Blanchard. All rights reserved.
Size: Women's Large, size 8-9 US
If you plan to resize this pattern to fit a small foot try reducing the size of the needle to a size 5 (US) dpn rather than reducing the number of stitches of the sock. Try the sock on as you go and if you feel it is going to be too long, omit the last 3 rows of the Chart A pattern. I usually start the toe decreases on a sock when the sock reaches the top of my fourth toe.
Materials: Worsted weight wool yarn in three colors. For the mainly green socks I used both Wool of the Andes and Peruvian Highland Wool. 2 skeins Color A: Moss Green, Less than one skein each Color B: Burgundy and Color C: Pumpkin Orange. For the mainly black socks I used black, orange, and lime green.
Needles: One set of four or five dpns in size 6 US (4 mm), or size needed to get gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle to weave in yarn ends and to kitchener toes
Gauge: 9 stitches to 2" (5 cm) over stockinette stitch. To save time, take time to check gauge.
With color 1, cast on 44 stitches. Join, being careful not to twist. K 4 rows plain. Do 2 color ribbing as follows:
Rows 1-3: *P2 Color A, K2 Color B, rep from * across.
Row 4: *P2 Color A, K2 Color C, rep from * across.
Rows 5-7: *P2 Color A, K2 Color B, rep from * across.
(I find it is easiest to do 2-color ribbing by holding the purl yarn in my right hand to knit continental and the knit yarn in my left hand to knit English/American.)
Begin color striping sequence as follows: K 3 rows Color A, K 1 row Color C, K 2 rows Color B. Repeat this stripe sequence 6 times or until desired length to ankle. End by doing 3 rows Color A.
Heel: Sl next 22 sts to first dpn, next 11 sts to 2nd dpn, and next 11 sts to 3rd dpn. Work back and forth in rows on first 22 sts of first dpn only. Row 1: (RS) *Sl 1, K1, rep from * across. Row 2: Sl 1, p21. Repeat last 2 rows 9 times more, then repeat row 1.
Turn Heel: Continue on 22 sts. Row 1: Sl 1, K15,SSK, turn. Row 2: Sl 1, P10, P2TOG, turn. Row 3: Sl 1, K10, SSK, turn. Repeat rows 2 and 3 until 12 sts rem. ending with a WS row. With RS facing, knit across 12 heel sts.
Gusset: With empty dpn, pick up and knit 14 sts along side of heel. With 2nd dpn, knit across 22 stitches from next 2 dpns. With 3rd dpn, pick up and knit 12 sts along other side of heel, then k 6 heel sts - 62 sts. Beginning of round is now at center of heel. Rnd 1: Knit. Rnd 2: On first dpn, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1; k22 sts of 2nd dpn, on 3rd dpn, K1, K2tog, K to end - 2 sts dec. Rep rnds 1-2 until 44 sts rem.
Work Chart A below.
The color pattern doesn't perfectly match up at the bottom of the foot but it really won't be noticeable. I used duplicate stitch to add the center stitches of Color B to the pattern rather than do 3 colors a row for that row.
Toe: Make sure you have 11 sts on first dpn, 22 sts on 2nd dpn, and 11 sts on third dpn. Round 1: On first dpn, knit to last 3 sts, K2TOG, K1; on 2nd dpn, K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2TOG, K1; on 3rd dpn, K1, SSK, knit to end - 4 stitches have been decreased. Round 2: Knit. Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 16 stitches remain. K sts from first dpn on third dpn so you have two dpns with 8 sts. Kitchener stitch the two sets of 8 sts from each dpn together to finish the toe.
Finishing: Block socks under a damp towel. Weave in ends.
Make a second sock.
ABBREVIATIONS
K - knit
P - purl
St - stitch
Sl - slip
DPN - double-pointed needle
RS - right side
WS - wrong side
K2TOG - knit two stitches together
SSK - slip 1, slip 1, knit two together
PSSO - slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over
REP - repeat
Kitchener Stitch - Thread a tapestry needle with yarn tail from the mitten top. Working from right to left, with right sides facing you, for front knitting needle, pull yarn through 1st st as if to purl, leave st on needle. For back knitting needle, pull yarn through 1st st as if to knit, leave st on needle.
Now continue these two steps until all sts are worked. Front needle: pull yarn through 1st st as if to knit,slip off needle; pull yarn through next st as if to purl, leave on needle. Back needle: pull yarn through 1st st as if to purl, slip off needle, pull yarn through next st as if to knit, leave on needle.