Blueberry Waffle Socks by Sandy Turner


 
Blueberry Waffle Socks
Picture courtesy Bev Hearn

These are a good in-between weight for wearing around the house and under boots. The ribbed waffle pattern helps the socks stay up quite well, and  because of the stretch, they will fit a
woman's medium to a man's medium foot without trouble.

I also "unvented" a slightly rounder toe for these socks than my usual one.

Materials:
DK weight yarn (110 yds to 50g skein). I used Cleckheaton Superwash 8ply crepe.
req: 2.5 - 3 skeins, or two skeins main colour and half skein
contrast for heels and toes.

Set 3.75mm needles (size 5 US)

Gauge:
5.5 stitches and 7 rows to the inch over stocking stitch.

Cast on 52 stitches and distribute on 3 needles (16, 20,16)

Work 12 rows 2x2 rib.

Waffle pattern:
Row 1 and 2, knit
Row 3 and 4,* k2, p2 to end

Work in waffle pattern till cuff is approx 'x' inches long, where x is the length from cuff to the top of the heel, 6-8 inches makes a comfortable length sock for wearing under trousers.
Finish with row 4.

Divide for heel:
Slip last 3 stitches of needle one, and first three stitches of needle three onto needle two. (13, 26, 13).
Knit across needle one, turn.
Slip first stitch, purl across needle one, and continue across needle three (at this time you will have 26 stitches on each of two needles).Turn.
Work in heel stitch across the needle:
1st row: *slip 1, k1, rep from * to end. turn.
2nd row: slip 1, purl to end.

Repeat these rows 13 times, for a total of 26 rows. (This gives a heel depth of ~2.5 inches. If you require a deeper heel, knit more rows).

Next row: slip 1, knit 16, k2 tog tbl, turn
Next row: slip 1, p8, p2 tog, turn
Next row: slip 1, k8, k2 tog tbl, turn

Repeat the last two rows till you knit the last two stitches together at the left side of the heel, do not turn. There will be one "spare" stitch at the other side of the heel.

Using another needle, pick up and knit 15 stitches along the side of the heel, making sure to pick up one between the heel flap and the instep stitches. Using a third needle, knit across the instep stitches (being the next row of the waffle pattern). Using the fourth needle, pick up and knit 15 stitches along the other side of the heel, using the same needle, knit the "spare" stitch together with the next stitch on the next needle, k 4. Place marker if desired to indicate beginning of round, and slip the remaining five stitches to the beginning of the next needle.

You will now have your sock stitches on three needles. (20, 26, 20)

Knit one round.
Next round: 1st needle: k to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
2nd needle: waffle pattern across instep. 3rd needle: k1, k2tog tbl, k to end.

Continue decreasing every other round until needles 1 and 3 have 12 stitches. Continue to work in rounds, keeping instep stitches in pattern, until the foot is required length, approximately 2
inches less than length of foot.

Shape Toe:
1st round: knit first needle, 2nd needle: k1, k2 tog tbl, k to last 3 sts, k2 tog, k1. 3rd needle: k to end.
2nd round: knit
3rd round: 1st needle: knit to last 3 sts, k2 tog, k1, 2nd needle: k1, k2 tog tbl, k to last 3 sts, k2 tog, k1. 3rd needle: k1, k2 tog tbl, k to end.

Repeat last two rows until there are 8 stitches each remaining on needles 1 and 3, Then repeat last row only until needles one and three have only 4 sts each remaining. Finish toe with kitchener stitch, or by turning sock inside out and using a 3 needle bind off. (Holding needles parallel, knit one stitch from each needle together as one, and cast off in the usual way).

Voila! A blueberry (or any other colour) waffle sock. Make a mate to match or contrast, and enjoy toasty toes.

The original prototype socks for this pattern had to be knitted in a specific shade of blue, hence the name. Since then, I've knitted about half a dozen pairs, in different colours, some with
contrast toes and heels, some all in one colour. In one variation, I even ribbed the entire foot for a snug fit.

This pattern is my gift to the knitlist. You are welcome to use it on the gift web pages, or to print out copies and share with your friends, provided this copyright notice remains intact. I only reserve the right to publish the pattern in printed media.


Copyright Sandy Turner 1998, all rights reserved. Image Copyright Bev Hearn 1999, all rights reserved.

 

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