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home » issue 2 » Patterns » Summer Sock Collection
Summer Sock Collection
by Kate Atherley
Photography: Molly Crealock
Geisha sock concept: Michelle Kissoore
For when its not quite warm enough but you want to wear summer shoes anyway… geisha socks for your favourite flip-flops, peek-a-boo socks for showing off your fresh pedicure
and plain and simple ankle socks for your favourite sneakers.
Sizes
Ladies Small (shoe size 5-7) and Large (shoe size 7-9)
Ingredients
Both sizes, all designs
- »1×50 gm sock yarn in Main Colour
- »1×50 gm sock yarn in Contrast Colour
- »1 set 2.5mm double pointed needles
- »1 set 3mm double pointed needles (for size Large only)
- »2 stitch holders or extra double pointed needles
Gauge
- For size Small:
- 30 sts and 42 rows over 4″/10 cm square in stocking stitch using 2.5mm needles
- For size Large:
- 28 sts and 40 rows over 4″/10 cm square in stocking stitch using 3mm needles
Pattern Stitches
- »Stitch pattern descriptions
- »Special pattern stitches
Method
All Three Designs:
Note: all numbers apply to both sizes; the size difference is created through the use of different size needles.
Cuff:
- »Cable cast on over two 2.5mm needles held together 60 sts, as follows: (1 Main Colour, 1 Contrast Colour) 30 times. The cable cast-on isnt very stretchy, so casting on over two needles ensures a looser cast-on with more give.
- »Distribute stitches evenly across 3 2.5mm needles and join. Work (k1 MC p 1 CC) ribbing for 1 cm. Cut CC.
Turn Heel:
- »For Large size only, change to 3mm needles. Using Main Colour, knit first 30 stitches. Slide remaining stitches onto a holder. Starting with a purl row, work 21 rows of stocking stitch, slipping the first stitch of every row. Right side is facing for next row.
- »RS: Knit 20 stitches, SKP, turn
- »WS: Slip 1, purl 10 stitches, p2tog, turn
- »RS: Slip 1, knit 10 stitches, SKP, turn
- »Repeat last two rows until all stitches have been worked. Ensure right side is facing for next row.
Re-establish Round and Create Gusset:
- »Knit all stitches. Using that same needle, pick up and knit 15 stitches along selvedge edge at side of heel, using slipped stitches as a guide. With a new needle, work across 30 stitches of instep. Using another new needle, pick up and knit 15 stitches along selvedge edge at other side of heel, using slipped stitches as a guide. Work 6 stitches from the first needle.
- »The beginning of the round is now at the centre of the heel. There should be 21 stitches on the first needle, the 30 stitches of the instep on the second, and 21 on the third. Rearrange the needles if you need to.
- » Decrease Gusset:
- »Work a round even.
Work a decrease round as follows:
- »Needle 2: Knit all stitches.
- »Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end.
- »Alternate even rounds and decrease rounds until Needles 1 and 3 each have 15 stitches.
For Ankle Sock, proceed as follows:
Work until foot of sock measures 5cm less than desired length.
Work a decrease round:
- »Needle 1: Knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1.
- »Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1.
- »Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end.
- »Alternate decrease rounds and even rounds until you have 8 stitches left. To finish, either graft together final stitches, or cut yarn, draw through the final stitches and tighten. Weave in ends.
For Peek-a-boo Sock, proceed as follows:
- »Work until foot of sock measures 6cm less than desired length.
- »For Large size only, change back to 2.5mm needles.
- »Work 1 cm k1 p1 rib.
For right sock:
- »Cast off in rib all stitches on Needle 1, and first 21 stitches of Needle 2. Work next 3 stitches in k1 p1 rib, then continue casting off to the end of the round. Cut yarn and pull through final loop to fasten.
- »Rejoin yarn to 3 remaining stitches and work 5cm in k1 p1 rib pattern as established. Cast off, cut yarn and pull through final loop to fasten. Sew this strap to the sole of the sock, to create a “thong”.
For left sock:
- »Cast off in rib all stitches on Needle 1, and first 7 stitches of Needle 2. Work next 3 stitches in k1 p1 rib, then continue casting off to the end of the round. Cut yarn and pull through final loop to fasten.
- »Finish as per right sock.
For Geisha Sock, proceed as follows:
Work until foot of sock measures 5cm less than desired length.
For right sock:
- »Work all stitches of Needles 1 and 2, and 9 stitches of Needle 3. Slide the remaining 6 stitches of Needle 3 and all of the stitches of Needle 1 onto one stitch holder or spare needle. Slide the first 21 stitches of Needle 2 onto the other stitch holder or spare needle. Youll now have 9 stitches each on two working needles. These will be used to form the big toe. Cast on 4 stitches in the gap between the two needles, to create a complete round of 22 stitches. You may wish to rearrange the stitches so that theyre divided a bit more evenly across the three needles. Work 22 rounds even.
Work last three rounds of big toe as follows:
- »Round 1: K1, *(k2tog, k3), repeat from * across round to last stitch, k1. (16 stitches)
- »Round 2: *(K2tog, k2), repeat from * across round. (12 stitches)
- »Round 3: K2tog across round. (6 stitches)
- »Cut yarn, draw through the final stitches and tighten.
- »Slide the 21 stitches from the first holder back onto a 2.5mm (3mm) needle, and slide the 21 stitches from the second back onto another 2.5mm (3mm) needle.
- »Youll be reestablishing the round, starting on the bottom of the foot, beside the big toe. Rejoin the yarn at this point, and knit across the 21 stitches of the sole this will be Needle 1. Knit across the 21 stitches of the instep this will be Needle 2. Take a new needle and pick up 6 stitches at the base of the big toe this will be Needle 3.
- »Knit an even round, working the picked-up stitches through the back loop to twist them.
Work a decrease round as follows:
- »Needle 1: Knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1.
- »Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit to end.
- »Needle 3: Knit all stitches.
- »Alternate even rounds and decrease rounds until 32 stitches remain.
- »Work every round as a decrease rounds until 8 stitches remain. To finish, graft the 8 stitches together. If youre going to wear these socks with open-toed shoes, you can also cast off the 8 stitches and seam the top.
For left sock:
- »Work all stitches of Needle 1 and 9 stitches of Needle 2. Slide the remaining 21 stitches of Needle 2 onto one stitch holder or spare needle. Slide all of the stitches of Needle 3 and the first 6 stitches of Needle 1 onto the other stitch holder or spare needle. Youll now have 9 stitches each on two working needles. These will be used to form the big toe. Cast on 4 stitches in the gap between the two needles, to create a complete round of 22 stitches. You may wish to rearrange the stitches so that theyre divided a bit more evenly across the three needles. Work 22 rounds even.
Work last three rounds of big toe as follows:
- »Round 1: K1, *(k2tog, k3), repeat from * across round to last stitch, k1. (16 stitches)
- »Round 2: *(K2tog, k2), repeat from * across round. (12 stitches)
- »Round 3: K2tog across round. (6 stitches)
- »Cut yarn, draw through the final stitches and tighten.
- »Slide the 21 stitches from the first holder back onto a 2.5mm (3mm) needle, and slide the 21 stitches from the second back onto another 2.5mm (3mm) needle.
- »Youll be reestablishing the round, starting on the bottom of the foot, beside the big toe. Rejoin the yarn at this point, and pick up 6 stitches at the base of the big toe this will be Needle 1. Knit across the 21 stitches of the instep this will be Needle 2. Knit across the 21 stitches of the sole this will be Needle 1.
- »Knit an even round, working the picked-up stitches through the back loop to twist them.
Work a decrease round as follows:
- »Needle 1: Knit all stitches.
- »Needle 2: Knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1.
- »Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end.
- »Alternate even rounds and decrease rounds until 32 stitches remain.
- » Work every round as a decrease rounds until 8 stitches remain. To finish, graft the 8 stitches together. If youre going to wear these socks with open-toed shoes, you can also cast off the 8 stitches and seam the top.
About the author: When not at her day job, Kate’s a designer, writer and knitting teacher. She lives in Toronto with her husband, dog and cat.
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