Peeps
by Jennifer Young
I have been experimenting with dyeing yarn and this yarn turned out somewhat lighter than expected. The Easter egg colors reminded me of Peeps marshmallows. I wanted to use a pattern that would show off the stripes and I added the pink to complete the Peeps effect.
Difficulty level
Intermediate with short-row heel & toe experience, knitting in the round on 2 circulars
Size
US women's shoe size 7.5-8
Materials
(MC) 1 skein Froehlich Wolle Special Blauband (80% wool, 20% nylon; 225 yds [206 meters] per 50g), color #7207 pink
(CC) 1 skein Froehlich Wolle Special Blauband in white, overdyed with Dylon Dye in Kingfisher and Golden Glow, approx. 1 meter repeats
Yarn substitute: 100g of Knit Picks Bare - Superwash/Nylon Fingering Weight dyed with Jacquard Acid Dye in Pink, Yellow Sun, and Turquoise
2 2.5mm circular needles
2 3mm circular needles
These sizes have no exact equivalent in US needles; closest sizes are US 1 (2.25mm), 2 (2.75mm), and 3 (3.25mm).
Cable needle (optional)
Tapestry needle
Gauge
30 sts = 4" (10cm) in stockinette
35 sts = 4" (10cm) in pattern stitch
Diagonal slip stitch pattern
From Vogue Knitting Stitchionary: Volume One: Knit and Purl
Round 1: K.
Rounds 2-3: (Sl 1, k3) around.
Round 4: (Drop slipped st off left needle to front [or place st on cable needle if desired], k2, pick up and knit dropped stitch, k1) around.
Round 5: K.
Rounds 6-7: (K2, sl 1, k1) around.
Round 8: (Drop next 2 sts to back of work [or place sts on cable needle if desired], slip the next st, pick up and knit the dropped stitches, k1) around.
Toe and foot
With smaller needles, figure 8 cast on 28 sts with MC (total 56 sts). Short row down to 10 sts (9 wraps each side) and back to 28. K 1 round.
*Change to CC and k 8 rounds. Change to MC and k 4 rounds. Repeat from * five times, or to fit the intended wearer's feet.
Heel
Short row heel to 14 sts (seven wraps per needle) and back to 28.
Leg
*Change to larger needles and CC, work 8 rounds of diagonal slip stitch pattern. Change to smaller needles and MC, work 4 rounds stockinette. Repeat from * three times.
With MC, work 4 rounds of k2, p2 rib. Bind off loosely.
Finishing
Weave in ends.
Note--due to the drawing in of the fabric created by the slipped stitches, stitch count would probably need to be increased to make a taller sock.
About the designer
Jennifer teaches ESL to young learners just outside of Seoul. She is trying to finish her Med in TESOL, but knitting and teaching keep getting in the way. After nearly twenty years of knitting only afghans and sweaters, she has recently discovered the joys of sock knitting and her life has not been the same since. Website and email.