October Sock Pattern
Election Season Sock
Gauge: 7 sts/inch
Needles: US 2.5 (3.0 mm)
Sizing: To fit my wide foot! Basically, it’s an 8.5 inch sock stretched around the foot. To make it smaller, try to achieve a gauge of 7.5 (approx. 8 inches stretched) or 8 (approx 7.5 inches stretched) sts/inch using either US 2 (2.75 mm) or US 1.5 (2.5 mm). Measure your foot and then go for it!
The point of this sock, is basically, that it’s mostly K2, P2. I was inspired by the three presidential debates (and one VP debate) to design a sock that I could easily knit while watching TV. Because if you’re like me, you’ll be watching the returns come in and knitting frantically. But it couldn’t be too simple in appearance. The cables give the illusion of complexity, but it’s really only 3 sections of cabling. The rest is an easy, ribbed sock, knit from the toe up. More photos, from different angles on Flickr.
Notes:
C4F – slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, K2, knit 2 stitches from cable needle
W&T – When knitting, bring working yarn to the front of work as if to purl, slip next stitch. Turn your work and slip the stitch you previously slipped, preparing to purl. You should have one wrapped, unworked stitch. When purling, bring the working yarn to the back of work as if to knit, and slip the next stitch. Turn you work and slip the stitch you previously slipped, preparing to knit. You should have one wrapped, unworked stitch.
Toe:
Using figure 8 technique, cast on 20 stitches divided between 2 circular needles. (NOTE: Wendy Johnson has a GREAT article in Knitty on how to do toes for toe-up socks. Check out these instructions if you have never done toe-up or figure 8. http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter02/FEATtiptoptoes.html)
Round 1: Knit one round even.
Round 2 (Increase round): K1, M1, K to last 2 sts on first needle, M1, K1. Work second needle as first.
Repeat these two rounds until you have 60 stitches. Divide stitches evenly between two needles.
Foot:
Needle 1 – Work in K2, P2 rib across needle; Needle 2 – Knit all sts
Continue in this pattern for 2 inches
Maintaining stockinette stitch on Needle 2, work cable A on Needle 1 over next sixteen rows as follows:
Round 1: (K2, P2) 3 times; slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work, P1, K2 from cable needle, slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back of work, K2, P1 from cable needle; (P2, K2) 3 times
Round 2: (K2, P2) 3 times; P1, K4, P1; (P2, K2) 3 times
Round 3: Repeat Round 2
Round 4: (K2, P2) 3 times; P1, C4F (see notes), P1; (P2, K2) 3 times
Rounds 5 – 7: Repeat Round 2
Round 8: Repeat Round 4
Rounds 9 – 11: Repeat Round 2
Round 12: Repeat Round 4
Rounds 13-15: Repeat Round 2
Round 16: (K2, P2) 3 times; slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back of work, K 2, P1 from cable needle, slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work, P1, K2 from cable needle; (P2, K2) 3 times.
Needle 1 – Work in K2, P2 rib across needle; Needle 2 – Knit all sts
Continue in this pattern until foot measures 1.5 inches from the desired length of the foot.
Heel:
This is a short-row heel worked over the 30 stockinette stitches. While you’re working the heel on Needle 2, Needle 1 will just hang out with the ribbing stitches.
Row 1: Knit 29 stitches, W&T
Row 2: Purl to last stitch, W&T
Row 3: Knit to last stitch before wrapped stitch, W&T
Row 4: Purl to last stitch before wrapped stitch, W&T
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until you have 9 wrapped stitches on each side of 12 “live” stitches in the center.
Row 1: Knit across the “live” stitches to the first wrapped stitch. Pick up the wrap and knit it together with the stitch. W&T. You will now have a double wrapped stitch.
Row 2: Purl across to the first wrapped stitch. Pick up the wrap and purl it together with the stitch. W&T.
Repeat these rows, picking up both wraps on double wrapped stitches and purling or knitting them together with stitches as appropriate. Continue until you have 30 “live” stitches again. Now you should be able to work again in the round and rejoin the stitches hanging out on Needle 1.
Cuff:
Work in K2, P2 rib across both needles for 2 inches. (NOTE: Needle 2 will begin and end with P2, while Needle 1 will begin and end with K2).
Maintaining ribbing on Needle 2, work Cable A on Needle 1 as you did on the foot.
Work in K2, P2 rib for two rounds.
Still maintaining ribbing on Needle 2, begin Cable B on Needle 1 as follows:
Round 1: K2, P2; slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work, P1, K2 from cable needle, slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back of work, K2, P1 from cable needle; (P2, K2) twice, P2; slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work, P1, K2 from cable needle, slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back of work, K2, P1 from cable needle; P2, K2
Round 2: K2, P3, K4, P3, K2, P2, K2, P3, K4, P3, K2
Round 3: Repeat Round 2
Round 4: K2, P3,C4F, P3, K2, P2, K2, P3, C4F, P3, K2
Rounds 5-7: Repeat Round 2
Round 8: Repeat Round 4
Rounds 9-11: Repeat Round 2
Round 12: Repeat Round 4
Rounds 13-15: Repeat Round 2
Round 16: K2, P2, slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back of work, K2, P1 from cable needle, slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work, P1, K2 from cable needle; (P2, K2) twice, slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back of work, K2, P1 from cable needle, slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work, P1, K2 from cable needle; P2, K2
Work in K2, P2 rib for additional 2 inches or to desired cuff length. Bind off loosely and weave in ends.
Enjoy!