Sunday, February 20, 2011

My First Sock Pattern - Variation on a few Themes

Et voilà - the finished sock!
I've been asked to share the knitting pattern for my latest sock project, and as it's an adapted one and not a straightforward copy, I am going to try to write it as a pattern should be written. This is a new challenge as I have to strive to be accurate, but I might  manage it. I met a lady yesterday who's an avid knitter and she has also bought the lovely pre-patterned wool from Lidl that is specifically (but not solely - hey, unintended pun but I like it so it stays!) for socks.

Having made a half-dozen pairs of socks over recent months, I decided to go for these with variations. I used the stitch numbers as per the pattern with the sock wool (Lidl are great for enclosing patterns and sometimes needles with their knit-kits.)
My Lidl Sock Stash - with first completed sock

I have tried plain stocking stitch (Stockinette in US) and it is just too baggy for socks, unless you've very elasticky yarn, which I'm not sure this wool-mix is (75% pure wool, 25% Polyamide).

So I made it a K2P2 rib throughout, except for the sole and gusset which is in plain stocking stitch, and the heel flap which is nicely textured in a fancy rib.

Ribbed Socks
 Gauge for these socks = 42 rows and 30 stitches over 10x10cm) 
 (Use 4 DPN (Double-Pointed Needles -Size 3mm/     )

Sock as in pattern

Some Abbreviations: 
RS = Right Side; WS = Wrong Side; Sl = Slip (take stitch off left-hand needle without knitting it)
N = Needle K or k = Knit; P or p = Purl; sl1,k1,psso = slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch (you can use ssk instead = slip1, slip1, knit 2 tog.)

Socks Pattern
Cast on 60 stitches and divide between 3 needles - 20 per needle (duh!)
K2 P2 rib for desired length - about 6-7 inches is fine for ankle boot socks

Heel Flap
Knit 30 stitches onto one needle and put remaining 30 stitches on Stitch Holder (or a big nappy/safety pin!)
Knit back and forth on heel flap as follows:
Heel & Gusset close-up
  • Row 1 (RS) - Slip 1, K1, *P1, K2 Repeat from * to end
  • Row 2 (WS) -Slip 1, P1, *K1, P2 Repeat from * to end
  • Repeat these 2 rows total of 15 times - you'll have 15 slip stitches along edge of heel flap.

Turning Heel
 (I used stocking stitch, but you could continue the K2 P2 rib of main sock if you prefer - gives a springy sole!)
  • R1(RS) – Sl 1, k16, ssk, k1, turn.
  • R2(WS) – Sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
  • R3 – Sl 1, k6, ssk, k1, turn.
  • R4 – Sl 1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn.
  • R5 – Sl 1, k8, ssk, k1, turn.
  • R6 – Sl 1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn.
  • R7 – Sl 1, k10, ssk, k1, turn.
  • R8 – Sl 1, p11, p2tog, p1, turn.
  • R9 – Sl 1, k12, ssk, k1, turn.
  • R10 – Sl 1, p13, p2tog, p1, turn.
  • R11 – Sl 1, k14, ssk, k1, turn.
  • Modelling the sock!
  • R12 – Sl 1, p15, p2tog, p1, turn. (18 sts. remain)
Slip 1, knit 8 sts (to middle of heel), this will now be the beginning of round.


(I copied and pasted this part from a Ravelry downloaded PDF pattern for SKYP Rib Socks by Adrienne Ku - here is the link)

Heel – gusset
Set-up Round
  • Needle 1 - knit remaining 9 stitches from heel turn, pick up and knit 15 stitches along heel edge flap plus 1 extra between flap and instep. (Total = 25 stitches)
  • Needle 2 - transfer instep stitches from needle holder to needle and K2 P2 Rib across instep.
  • Needle 3 - pick up and knit 1 stitch between instep and heel flap, pick up and knit 15 stitches along heel edge, K 9 from sole. 
There are now 3 needles with 25, 30, and 25 stitches.
You will need to decrease 1 stitch at instep edge of alternate rows until you are back to 15, 30 and 15 stitches.
Do this as follows:
  • Round 1 -N1 - K to last 3 stitches, k2 tog., k1. N 2 - Continue K2 P2 rib across instep. N 3 = k1, sl1,k1,psso, k to end 
  • Round 2 - Knit N 1 & 3, K2 P2 rib on instep
  • Repeat these 2 rounds  until you are left with 15, 30 and 15 stitches on each needle.

Foot

Continue sock foot in rounds until 2 ins/4cm shorter than length of foot (allow for some stretch)
Another angle

Toe shaping

Round 1: Knit
Round 2:
N1: K to last 3 stitches - k2 tog. k1.
N2: k1, sl1,k1,psso, k to last 3 stitches, k2 tog. k1.
N3: k1, sl1,k1,psso, k to end.
Continue these 2 rounds until 16 stitches remain. (4, 8, 4). Put 4+4 on one needle = 2 needles of 8 stitches. Graft toe with Kitchener Stitch. This is a neat seamless finish for a toe.

Here's a video clip of how it's done



Kitchener Stitch Video Clip

Finishing can also be done by casting off two stitches together (One stitch from each needle knitted as one, then knit next stitch from each needle as one and pass the 1st one over the last one. Repeat until all cast off, then weave in cut ends of yarn. I am sure there's a video for that method too but I  haven't found it yet. I'll be back like Arnie when I do!

There are endless variations possible with these socks. You can use the SKYP Rib Socks I referenced above, or a simpler ribby pattern, liek K4 P2 or K2 P1. I hope you see it as a basic pattern, and I might make it a PDF to upload to Ravelry in the future, when the General Election's over and I get my life back to normal - this time next week all will be revealed - let's hope Labour will have a new woman TD from Waterford!

7 comments:

Brownieville Girl said...

I haven't been to Lidl in ages - must get there soon or all this wool will be gone. Love the socks.

Unknown said...

These are awesome?! I am in awe of these awesome socks! Way to go!

Happy Sunday!

Ann said...

Hi Catherine, great socks! I am in the process of making the christening matinee coat, bonnet, bootee's and shawl. Haven't gotten very far, been too sick to do anything for the last 10 days. Thank you for the award too. I will post about it later in the week. I have so much to try and catch up on.

Rita said...

You are talented; these are really beautiful!
Rita

Stephanie V said...

I love the colors in these socks. It would definitely give you warm feet just to look at them. Well done for writing up your pattern. It's not as easy as it sounds, I know.

It's great that you're finding sock yarn. I like to buy some sock yarn from places I visit - kind of a practical souvenir. When I was visiting Ireland, I had no luck at all.

Catherine said...

Thanks for the kind comments - glad you like the socks - plan to make some in blue and grey next!
Brownieville girl - You might miss this lot of wool but keep an eye out for the next lot - seems to roll around every few months. Great value, as are their knitting needles and crochet hooks.

Jen - thanks a lot - first time my work's been called awesome - I like it! Keep on visiting!

Ann - I have just been casting on a hat for Sofia - well a cap really. I made a lovely ballerina cardi which was on Facebook, I will stick it on the blog soon. I hope you share your finished projects with us all, they sound lovely! Crap weather here, was in Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre tonight for a Candidates' Debate, great stuff! Ian Noctor moderating, will be on WLRFM tomorrow 6pm irish time! Look forward to your award answers!

Rita - thank you, I guess we all have hidden talents until we try something - that's me and socks anyway. I love them now and I'll try anything once!

Staphanie V - thanks - coming from a sock queen like yourself I value your comments! Yes, I can see why you drew a blank in Ireland trying to get sock wool, it's a bit of a disaster area on that front. Getting better now as more people are knitting - although Lidl's German and that's a start with getting people interested. Yes, the pattern was a challenge. I loved your socks with different heels some time back - must look it up again - balbriggan or some such village!

All the best, Catherine

Peggy said...

Hi Catherine, you are right about the wool not having enough elasticity for socks, I made them in st st last year and they get very loose after one wear!
I will try your pattern for my next attempt.