from Patons Knitting Book No. 248
Materials
2 ozs. PATONS BEEHIVE Fingering, 3-ply or other yarn that will knit to gauge.
For patterned socks: A Small Quantity of Contrasting Colour.
Knitting Needles – 1 set of four Old UK No. 13/US 1/Metric 2.25mm
Measurements
To fit a 9 in, 9½ in or 10 in. foot.
Tension
It is absolutely necessary to work at a tension to produce 10 stitches to the inch in width.
Cast on 72 stitches (24 stitches on each needle).
1st round: * K.1, P.1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat 1st round forty-nine times for ribbed top socks or three times for socks with patterned tops.
For patterned socks
5th round: Knit plain.
Continue in plain knitting, following chart for colour pattern.
Repeat 5th round four times, then 1st round twenty-six times.
For both socks
Proceed as follows:
Next round, * (K.1, P.1) eight times, P2tog, repeat from * three times (68 sts)
To commence heel slip 10 sts. from end of second needle on to the beginning of third needle (these 32 sts. are for heel).
Turn work inside out to reverse fabric.
Divide remaining sts. on to two needles and leave for instep.
Work 30 rows on heel sts. in alternate rows of plain and purl, always slipping first st. knitways on a knit row and purlways on a purl row.
To turn heel:
K.19, K2tog, K.1, turn (always slip first st. after turning),
P.8, P2tog, P.1, turn,
K.9, k2tog, K.1, turn,
P.10, P2tog, P.1, turn,
K.11, K2tog, K.1, turn.
Continue in this manner until all sts. are worked on to one needle (20 sts).
Knit back 10 sts. (thus completing heel), slip all instep sts. on to one needle.
Taking another needle knit remaining 10 heel sts., knit up 16 sts. at side of heel, with a second needle knit across instep sts. and with third needle knit up 16 sts. at side of heel and remaining 10 heel sts.
Shape for instep as follows:
1st round: Knit plain.
2nd round: First needle – knit plain to last 3 sts., K2tog, K.1;
second needle – knit plain;
third needle – K.1, slip 1, K.1, psso, knit plain to end of round.
Repeat these 2 rounds until 16 sts. remain on first and third needles.
Repeat 1st round until work measures (from where sts. were knitted up at heel) 5½ ins. for a 9 in. foot, 6 ins. for 9½ inch foot and 6½ ins. for a 10 in. foot.
Slip first st. from beginning of second needle on to end of first needle and last st. of second needle on to beginning of third needle.
Shape toe as follows:
1st round: First needle – knit plain to last 3 sts., K2tog, K.1;
second needle – K.1, slip 1, K.1, psso, knit plain to last 3 sts., K2tog, K.1;
third needle – K.1, slip 1 , K.1, psso, knit plain to end of round.
2nd and 3rd rounds: Knit plain.
Repeat these 3 rounds until 48 sts. remain in round.
Repeat 1st and 2nd rounds until 24 sts. remain in round.
Knit sts. of first needle on to end of third needle.
Graft these sts.
Work another Sockette in same manner.
With a slightly damp cloth and warm iron, press lightly.
The original publication of this pattern is in the public domain, however this digital version with added clarifications for modern knitters is copyright Sarah Bradberry, 4th August 2014. All rights reserved.