The pattern for these cuties popped up this week on the Purl Soho website. The yarn they used is one of their brands called Posy, a blend of merino, cashmere and nylon, which comes in 24 lovely colors. The pattern is written for five sizes, and is a basic top town sock pattern with very short cuffs. Instructions call for double pointed needles but magic loop could also be used. The link to the pattern can be found under the photo. Summer’s coming, better get knitting!
The new Knitty is up (Winter 2011), and my favorite among all the new patterns is this one, Java Socks. No toe grafting necessary! Patterned gusset! Instructions for double points or magic loop! Can’t wait to cast these beauties on.
Size 1 (US) needles, 435 yards of sock weight yarn.
pattern
I’m the kind of knitter who tends to fixate upon a certain type of project to the exclusion of others. At times, I get on a sock-knitting tear. I make them in different yarns, weights, and patterns, and have developed the perfect pattern to fit my own feet. For larger or smaller, I simply adapt this basic template.
Pattern:
Magic Loop Socks
Size 4 circular needle.
cast on 42 sts; divide between the needles, half on each. Knit the cuff in the pattern of your choice, to the length desired.
Shape Heel Flap
Knit across 10 sts on first needle, turn.
Row 1 (WS) With empty needle, sl 1 st, purl 9 sts on first needle and 10 sts on 2nd – 20 sts for heel flap. Work back and forth on these sts in rows.
Row 2 * Sl 1, k 1; rep from * across. Rep last 2 rows until a total of 16 rows have been worked, ending with a Row 1.
Turn Heel
Next Row (RS) Sl 1, k 11, skp, k 1, turn.
Next Row Sl 1, p 5, p2tog, p 1, turn.
Next Row Sl 1, k 6, skp, k 1, turn.
Next Row Sl 1, p 7, p2tog, p 1, turn.
Continue to work in this manner, having 1 more st before decs on each row until 12 sts remain.
Gussets
With first needle, knit across 12 sts of heel, pick up and k 8 sts along side of heel flap, M1 between heel flap and next (instep) needle, with second needle, work 20 sts across instep needle, with 1st needle, M1 between instep needle and heel flap, pick up 8 sts along remaining side of heel flap, work across 12 sts of heel flap. To decrease, pick up one stitch in every slipped stitch on the side of the heel flap. Resume knitting in the round. Knit across the top, then pick up one stitch from each slipped stitch on the second side of the flap.
Knit across the heel and the stitches you picked up last round, until the last three, then k2tog, k 1. Knit across the instep stitches, till you reach the second side of flap, then k 1, SSK, k across. Do one row plain. Alternate in this way until you have 20 stitches on the heel needle.
Foot
Work even in St st until foot measures about 1 1/2″ [4 cm] less than desired length to beg of toes. (7 ½ inches)
Shape Toe
Dec Rnd K 7, skp, k 2, k2tog, k 14, skp, k 2, k2tog, k7.
Knit 1 rnd.
Rep last 2 rnds until 14 sts remain. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Turn sock inside out. Finish off toe with Kitchener stitch.
A couple of years back I posted a link to Tricksy Knitter’s ever-so-helpful chart showing the steps involved in Kitchener Stitch, which I always use to close the toes of my hand knit socks. I find it much easier to follow than a tutorial. Tried to access the chart today, only to discover a broken link. Disheartened, I hopped over to search the TK site, and was thrilled to find the chart under a new one. And here it is! Hope you find it as useful as I do. Please let me know if you notice another broken link so I can get back on it ASAP.
Here’s a handy fingering weight, basic sock pattern with instructions for women’s, men’s, and kids’ sizes. I like to keep this as a reference, adding various cuff and instep patterns to suit my current project. It saves so much time because I don’t have to hunt around for the proper formula. It’s my go to pattern most of the time. It’s easily adaptable for magic loop, which is my favorite method for socks.
On the subject of sock sizes, here’s a link to my master sizing chart, based upon foot measurements.
Specifications
Size: Child M (Child Lrg/W Sm, W Med, W Lrg/M Sm, M Med, M Lrg)
Materials: 200 (250, 300, 350, 400, 450) yards of fingering weight yarn
US 1 (2.25mm) double-pointed, two circulars, or one long circular needle, or size to obtain gauge
Gauge: 8 sts and 10 rounds = 4 inches square in St st
Pattern stitch
1 x 1 Ribbing
Round 1: * K1, p1 *, rep from * to * around.
Rep round 1 for patt.
Basic top-down sock
Cast on 52 (56, 60, 64, 68, 72) sts using the desired cast-on. Join, being careful not to twist.
Work 1 x 1 ribbing until piece measures 1 inch from beg. (Every round: * K1, p1 *, rep from * to * around. )
Continue even in St st until piece measures 5.5 (6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8) inches from beg or desired length to top of heel.
The heel is worked over 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) sts.
Next row (RS): K 13 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) sts, turn.
P across 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) sts.
Heel flap
Row 1 (RS): * K1, sl 1 *, rep from * to * across.
Row 2 (WS): Sl 1, p across.
Rep rows 1 and 2 until you have worked 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) rows in total.
Turn heel
Row 1: K across 15 (16, 17, 18, 19, 20) sts, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 2: Sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3: Sl 1, k to 1 st before gap, ssk (1 st from each side of gap), k1, turn.
Row 4: Sl 1, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog (1 st from each side of gap), p1, turn.
Rep rows 3 and 4 until you have worked all heel sts, ending if necessary on the last rep with k2tog and p2tog. 16 (16, 18, 18, 20, 20) sts remain.
Next round: KI 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 10) sts. Using an empty needle, k 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 10) sts. Rotate work and with the same needle, pick up 13 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) sts along side of heel flap.
Work across 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) sts of instep.
Pick up 13 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) sts along other side of heel flap using an empty needle. K rem 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 10) sts. The heel is now complete and the round begins at the center back heel.
Decrease for the gusset — round 1
Needle 1: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Needle 2: Knit all sts.
Needle 3: Knit all sts.
Needle 4: Ssk, k1, k to end.
Decrease for the gusset — round 2
Knit all sts.
Rep rounds 1 and 2 until 52 (56, 60, 64, 68, 72) sts remain.
Work even on these sts until piece measures 5.5 (6.5, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9) inches from the back of the heel, or 2 inches less than desired total foot length.
Shape Toe
Round 1
Needle 1: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Needle 2: Ssk, k1, k to end.
Needle 3: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Needle 4: Ssk, k1, k to end.
Round 2
Knit all sts.
Rep rounds 1 and 2 until 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) sts rem.
Rep round 1 until 12 (12, 16, 16, 18, 18) sts rem.
K to the end of Needle 1. Cut yarn and graft toe.
Weave in ends and block.
These charts can be used to determine the length of knitted/crocheted socks for particular sizes. You might want to increase the foot length by 1/2 inch or so to accommodate shrinking, growth, or snugness.
|
Men’s Sizes Shoe size / Foot length |
Women’s Sizes Shoe Size / Foot length |
||||
| US 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12 13 14 15 16 |
Inches 9.25″ 9.5″ 9.7″ 9.75″ 9.9″ 10.1″ 10.25″ 10.4″ 10.6″ 10.75″ 10.9″ 11.” 11.25″ 11.6″ 11/9″ 12.2″ 12.5″ |
US 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12 |
Inches 8.2″ 8.4″ 8.5″ 8.75″ 8.8″ 9.0″ 9.25″ 9.4″ 9.5″ 9.7″ 9.8″ 10″ 10.2″ 10.3″ 10.5″ 10.7″ 10.9″ |
||
|
Kid’s Sizes Shoe size ——————— Foot length |
|||||
| 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 |
3.25″ 3.5″ 3.6″ 3.75″ 4″ 4.1″ 4.25″ 4.5″ 4.6″ 4.75″ |
Approximate Age Infant (0 – 12 months) |
|||
| 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12 |
5″ 5.1″ 5.25″ 5.5″ 5.6″ 5.75″ 6″ 6.1″ 6.25″ 6.5″ 6.6″ 6.75″ 7″ 7.1″ |
Children (1 – 5 years) |
|||
| 12.5 13 13.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 |
7.25″ 7.5″ 7.6″ 7.75″ 8″ 8.1″ 8.25″ 8.5″ 8.6″ 8.75″ 9″ 9.1″ 9.25″ 9.5″ 9.6″ 9.75″ |
Youth (6 – 10 years) |
|||
It’s been a long time since I’ve discovered and posted a new sock pattern. Today I found this pretty one over at Ravelry, which can be found here. A couple of years ago, I saw it on another site that is now defunct. Perhaps it was run by the same person. Anyway, this will be my next project as soon as the proper yarn catches my eye. This is a great color way that shows off the pattern perfectly. Wonder how it’d look in a solid. Only one way to find out!
Size 0 (US) needles, fingering weight yarn.
Red Cross poster circa 1918. Reproduced and available for purchase at The Library of Congress online shop.
As during the War Between the States, knitting played an important role on the home front, providing those left behind with a purpose, and those fighting with a few comforts. The American Red Cross played a vital role in organizing knitting drives across the US.
Below is a link to the socks pattern distributed to volunteer knitters by the Red Cross. This page features a clip of one of the newspapers in which the pattern was originally made available to the public. There are numerous other vintage patterns available on the net.
For all those inveterate sock knitters out there (you know who you are!), I’ve updated my list of the thoughts of some well known people about their socks.
“One can never have enough socks.”
Albus Dumbledore
“I got up one morning and couldn’t find my socks, so I called Information. She said, “Hello, Information.” I said, “I can’t find my socks.” She said, “They’re behind the couch.” And they were!”
Steven Wright
“True love is like a pair of socks: you gotta have two and they’ve gotta match.”
Unknown
“Never put a sock in a toaster.”
Eddie Izzard
“I washed a sock. Then I put it in the dryer. When I took it out, it was gone.”
Rod Schmidt
“The average Southerner has the speech patterns of someone slipping in and out of consciousness. I can change my shoes and socks faster than most people in Mississippi can speak a sentence.”
Bill Bryson
“Never run in the rain with your socks on”
Unknown
“Both of your socks should always be the same color. Or they should at least both be fairly dark”
Dave Barry
“Yes, sir. I’m a real Southern boy. I got a red neck, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer.”
Jimmy Carter
“Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable.”
Unknown
“He may be president, but he still comes home and swipes my socks.”
Joseph P. Kennedy
“If it weren’t for women, men would still be wearing last week’s socks.”
Cynthia Nelms
“His socks compelled one’s attention without losing one’s respect”
H.H. Munro
“A man is about thirty-eight before he stockpiles enough socks to be able to get one matching pair”
Merrily Harpur
“Politicians who wear little tennis socks with the balls at the back should not be taken seriously.”
Mo Rocca
“Honey, have you ever seen a man knitting socks?” (yes, actually!)
Ezer Weisman
“I have reached an age where if someone tells me to wear socks, I don’t have to.”
Albert Einstein
“My socks DO match. They’re the same thickness.”
Steven Wright
I made these in pink a couple of years back, and really have enjoyed wearing them.
Lace weight yarn, size 2 (US) needles. From Crystal Palace Yarns.
Dances with Wools 