Changing Leaves Socks

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size:  Small (Medium, Large) 6¾ (7¾, 8 ¾)” circumference around foot and ankle

The leg height and foot length of all sizes are adjustable to fit and preference. When pattern directions differ by size, the numbers will read as follows: Small (Medium, Large). When only one number is given, it applies to both sizes.

Shown in size Medium

Gauge: 9 sts and 11 rows = 1” in St st, blocked.

Materials

Yarn: Sock or fingering-weight yarn (4-ply) (400 yards). The sample was knit in the size medium, using Blue Moon Fiber Art Socks That Rock Lightweight, 1 skein, 405 yards (370 meters), 146 grams in colorway “Aubergenius” and  used 0.68 skeins = 275.4 yards (251.8 meters) 99 grams

Needles: US size 1.5 (2.5 mm) or size required to obtain gauge.

Notions: One stitch marker (optional); tapestry needle.

Abbreviations

co= cast on

bo= bind off

st(s)= stitch(es)                          

sl= slip

pm= place marker

sl1= slip 1 stitch purl-wise

wyif= with yarn in front

k= knit                                 

p= purl

ktbl= knit through the back loop

kfb= knit into the front of the stitch and then into the back of the stitch

k2tog= knit 2 sts together

k3tog= knit 3 sts together

sssk= slip 3 sts as if to knit, then knit the 3 sts together through the back loops

p2tog= purl 2 sts together

Stitch Pattern

The written instructions are for the first half of the sts.

For foot and leg in stockinette stitch, work instructions followed by k28 (32, 36).

If you wish to have the pattern on the front and back of the leg, work round instructions twice.

Row 1: K2 (4, 6), p1, k10, p2, k10, p1, k2 (4, 6).

Row 2: K2 (4, 6), p1, k6, k3tog, yo, k1, yo, p2, yo, k1, yo, sssk, k6, p1, k2 (4, 6).

Row 3: K2 (4, 6), p1, k10, p2, k10, p1, k2 (4, 6).

Row 4: K2 (4, 6), p1, k4, k3tog, (k1, yo) twice, k1, p2, (k1, yo) twice, k1, sssk, k4, p1, k2 (4, 6).

Row 5: K2 (4, 6), p1, k10, p2, k10, p1, k2 (4, 6).

Row 6: K2 (4, 6), p1, k2, k3tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p2, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, sssk, p1, k2 (4, 6).

Row 7: K2 (4, 6), p1, k10, p2, k10, p1, k2 (4, 6).

Row 8: K2 (4, 6), p1, k3tog, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p2, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, sssk, p1, k2 (4, 6).

Pattern Notes

The pattern is written for DPNs referring to Needles 1-4.

You can accommodate instructions for Magic Loop or 2 circulars by in the beginning using the front for Needles 1 and 2 and Needles 3 and 4 for the back.

The heel is worked over Needles 3 and 4, and once you begin the gusset, the beginning of the round is moved, and Needles 1 and 4 will be on the front, and Needles 2 and 3 will be in the back.

 

Pattern

Toe

Using a toe-up cast-on (I prefer Judy’s Magic cast-on method), CO 28 (32, 36) sts. Divide sts evenly on the needles. If using DPNs, you may need to move sts from needle to needle from time to time to accommodate the stitch pattern. Place a stitch marker to note the beginning of the round.

Note: Needles 1 and 2 are the top of the toe sts. Needles 3 and 4 are the bottom of the toe sts.

Knit across the sts on each needle.

Rnd 1: Needle 1: Kfb, k to end of needle.

Needle 2: K to last 2 sts, kfb, k1.

Needle 3: Kfb, k to end of needle.

Needle 4: K until 2 sts, kfb, k1.

Rnd 2: K across sts on all needles.

Rep Rnds 1-2 until there are a total of 56 (64, 72) sts.

Note: If you prefer a more pointed toe, cast on fewer sts and work more rnds until increased to 56 (64, 72) sts total. If you prefer a different toe, by all means, work your toe preference until you have the desired amount of sts.

Foot

Begin working Foot. Needles 1 and 2 will be the top of the foot (working in Stitch Pattern) and Needles 3 and 4 will become the sole stitches (working in stockinette). Begin working from the charts or from the written instructions.

Continue working Foot until piece measures 2½” shorter than total foot length.

Gusset

In this section, Needles 1 and 2 will continue the sock in Stitch Pattern, working up the foot and towards the front of the leg. Needles 3 and 4 will be increasing and forming the Instep Gusset on the sole part of the foot, working towards the heel of the sock.

Rnd 1: Needles 1 and 2: Continue working the next rnd in pattern.

Needle 3: Kfb, k to end of needle.

Needle 4: K across to last 2 sts, kfb, k1.

Rnd 2: Needles 1 and 2: Continue working in pattern.

Needles 3 and 4: K all sts.

Rep last 2 rnds until a total of 48 (56, 64) sts on Needles 3 and 4.

Heel Turn

Begin turning the heel. Work over Needles 1 and 2 once more for top of Foot sts. Continue working back and forth over Needles 3 and 4 to turn heel.

Note: Make special of note the last round worked in pattern. You will continue working that same round once the heel has been turned.

Row 1 (RS): K27 (31, 35), ssk, k1, turn.

Row 2 (WS): Sl1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 3: Sl1, k to 1 st before gap, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 4: Sl1, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog, p1, turn.

Rep Rows 3-4 until a total of 28 (32, 36) sts rem on Needles 3 and 4.

Leg

Resume working on all 4 needles, paying careful attention to working the rest of the same round in pattern left off on heel turn.

The sample is shown with the pattern on both the front and the back of the sock.

You can make this sock as simple or as detailed as you would like.

If you wish to keep the back of the leg in stockinette, continue working in pattern as establish.

If you wish to have the stitch pattern on the back of the sock same as on the front of the sock, start working the back of the sock, repeating the same round as over Needles 1 and 2 before working the gusset, and then after that working the stitch pattern twice.

Either way you choose to do the leg, you may need to pick up a stitch on either side to close up any holes there may be, remembering to k2tog or ssk with an end stitch to maintain the correct stitch count.

Work leg until 1½-2” less than the entire desired length of the sock.

Cuff

Knit one round.

Ribbing

Rnd 1: (K1tbl, p1) 28 (32, 36) times.

Rep last rnd for 1½-2”.

Bind off all sts in pattern using a stretchy bind-off.

Make second sock the same as the first.

Finishing

Weave in all ends.