Driftwood Dreams Cable Socks 

Time: Weekend Project

Skill Level: Intermediate

XS (S, M, L) (XL, 2X, 3X)

Actual Finished Circumference: 7 (7.5, 8, 9) (10, 11, 11.5)”

To fit up to: 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10.5) (11.5, 12.5, 13)”

1-1.5” negative ease recommended.

Shown in size XL

1.5” positive ease recommended.

Shown in size 36”

Gauge: 20 sts and 32 rnds = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking

Materials

Yarn: Cascade 220 (100%superwash wool 220 yards [200 meters] / 3.5 ounces [100 grams]): Color Number 348 1 (1, 1, 1) (1, 2, 2) balls

Needles: US size 3 3.25mm needles for preferred sock method

Notions: Markers, cable needle

Abbreviations

As est – As established.

Special Stitches

M1L – Bring the tip of your LH needle under the strand between the sts from front to back. Knit it tbl.

M1R – Bring the tip of your LH needle under the strand between the sts from back to front.  Knit it.

C4B – Sl 2 sts to cn, hold to back of work, k2, k2 from cn.

C4F – Sl 2 sts to cn, hold to front of work, k2, k2 from cn.

Pattern Notes

This pattern is worked cuff down with a Strong Heel. The strong heel allows for making a gusset without having to pick up stitches. The cable rnd is worked on the first rnd of every 14 rnds. The 1^st rnd of the main pattern lays out where the cables are knit.

Pattern

Cast on 34 (38, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58) using the long tail or similar stretchy cast on. Join to work in the round, placing a BOR marker as needed.

Work in K1, P1 Rib for 1.5-2”.

Main Pattern and Gusset Increases

Round 1: P2 (2, 2, 4) (4, 4, 6), C4B, k5 (7, 9, 7) (9, 11, 9), C4F, p2 (2, 2, 4) (4, 4, 6), M1R, pm, k to end of rnd, pm, M1L. (Increased st count +2)

Round 2: P2 (2, 2, 4) (4, 4, 6), k13 (15, 17, 15) (17, 19, 17) sts, p2 (2, 2, 4) (4, 4, 6).

Round 3: Work in pattern over 17 (19, 21, 23) (25, 27, 29) instep sts as est. K to marker, M1R, sm, k to marker, M1L, k to end. (Increased st count +2)

Round 4: Work in pattern over 17 (19, 21, 25) 27, 29, 31) instep sts as est. K to marker, sm, k to marker, sm, k to end.

Continue working rnds 3 and 4 until there are 31 (35, 39, 43) (47, 51, 55) heel sts and 48 (54, 60, 66) (72, 78, 84) total sts.

Heel Turn

Note: Heel is worked back and forth as rows. All slipped sts in this section are slipped with yarn to WS of work. Make note of the last rnd worked.

Row 1 (WS): P18 (20, 22, 24) (26, 28, 30), p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 2 (RS): Sl1P wyib, k6, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 3: SlP wyif, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog over gap, p1, turn.

Row 4: SlP wyib, k to 1 st before gap, ssk over gap, k1, turn.

Rep rows 3 and 4 until there are 19 (21, 23, 25) (27, 29, 31) heel sts.

Resume working in the rnd as follows: Work 17 (19, 21, 23) (25, 27, 29) instep sts as est. Ssk, knit to last 2 sts of rnd, k2tog.

Foot

Work even as est, working cables where appropriate until piece measures 0.5 (0.5, 0.5, 1) (1, 1, 1.5)” from desired length of foot.

Toe Decreases

Round 1: P2tog, work even knitting the knits and purling the purls to the last 2 instep sts, p2tog, k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts of rnd, k2tog, k1.

Round 2: Work even.

Repeat rnds 1 and 2 0 (0, 0, 1) (1, 1, 2) times.

Dec rnd: k1, ssk, k to last 3 instep sts, k2tog, k2, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Continue to work this decrease rnd only until there are 11 (11, 11, 11) (13, 13, 13) instep and 9 (11, 11, 11) (13, 13, 13) sts on heel.

Final Decrease Round:

Sizes XS (S, M, L): k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1.

Sizes (XL, 2X, 3X): k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2, ssk, k2, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k1.

Finishing

Graft toe. Weave in all ends. Gently wet block to size.