Valentine knits are typically bright and cheery, but there’s an understated beauty in darker shades. These Secret Admirer Socks are subtle and sophisticated and make for a perfect gift for Valentine’s Day and beyond.
Skill Level: Advanced
Size: S (M, L, XL); see schematic for details
Gauge: 32 sts and 42 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn:
Life in the Long Grass Semi-Solid Sock (100% merino; 450 yards [417 meters]/100 grams): Winter Sea (1 (1, 2, 2) skeins)
Needles: US size 2 (2.5 mm) DPNs or 100” circular needles for magic loop
Notions: 4 markers, tapestry needle, yarn holder or extra needle
Abbreviations
m-1r: Make 1 right leaning st; Make 1 st right leaning; Pick up bar between sts from the front with LN needle and K through back.
m-1l: Make 1 left leaning st: Make 1 st left leaning; Pick up bar between sts from the back with LN needle and K through front
ssk: Slip is knit wise, slip 1 st purlwise , sl back to LHN and knit through the back loop.
K2tog–tbl: Knit 2st together through the back loop
P2tog–tbl: purl 2st together through the back loop
Special Stitches
Kitchener Stitch: Grafting
Twisted Double Rib: *k2tog-tbl, p2; rep from * to end of rnd.
Pattern Notes
The socks are knit in the round from the top down. They start with a Twisted Double Rib cuff and flow into a “secret” moss stitch heart. There is ribbing along the leg for comfort and stretch before continuing into a slip stitch heel, ribbed foot with a mock cable and shaped gusset before finishing with a grafted toe.
Pattern
Sock (Make Two)
CO 72 (76, 80, 84) sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist the sts.
Work 8, (12, 16, 16) rnds in Twisted Double Rib.
Set-up Rnd: [K2tbl, p2] twice; k9, m1, k9, [p2, k2tbl] 4 (5, 6, 7) times, p2, k9, m1, k9, [p2, k2tbl] twice; p2. (74 (78, 82, 86) sts)
Work 11, (13, 15, 17) rnds total in est pattern.
Heart Motif
Next Rnd: [K2tbl, p2] twice; work appropriate row of Heart chart, [p2, k2tbl] 4 (5, 6, 7) times, p2, work appropriate row of Heart chart, [p2, k2tbl] twice; p2. (74 (78, 82, 86) sts)
Work the next 22 rnds as previous row.
Next Rnd: [K2tbl, p2] twice; k19, [p2, k2tbl] 4 (5, 6, 7) times, p2, k19, [p2, k2tbl] twice; p2. (74 (78, 82, 86) sts)
Work 11 (13, 15, 17) more rnds in est pattern.
Heel Flap
Row 1 (RS): [K2tbl, p2] twice, k6 (7, 8, 9), turn work. (14 (15, 16, 17) sts)
Row 2 (WS): Sl1, p5 (6, 7, 8), [K2, p2tbl] 4 times, k2, p6 (7, 8, 9), turn work. (30 (32, 34, 36) sts)
Row 3: Sl1, k5 (6, 7, 8), [K2tbl, p2] 4 times, k2tbl, k6 (7, 8, 9), turn work. (30 (32, 34, 36) sts)
Place the rem unworked 44, (46, 48, 50) sts on holder.
Rep Rows 2-3, 14 (15, 16, 17) more times.
Heel Shaping
Row 1 (WS): Sl1, p16 (17, 18, 19), p2tog, p1, turn work.
Row 2 (RS): Sl1, k5, ssk, k1, turn work.
Row 3: Sl1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn work.
Row 4: Sl1, k7, ssk, k1, turn work.
Rep last 2 rows until all Heel Flap sts are incorporated, ending with a RS row. DO NOT TURN. (18 (18, 20, 20) sts)
Instep
PUK15 (16, 17, 18) sts along side of Heel Flap, pm, k13 (12, 11, 10), [p2, k2tbl] 4 (5, 6, 7) times, p2, k13 (12, 11, 10) from Cuff, pm, PUK15 (16, 17, 18) sts along side of Heel Flap, k9 (9, 10, 10) from Heel. PM to mark beginning of rnd. (92 (96, 102,106) sts)
Shape Instep
Rnd 1 (Dec): K to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, sm, [p2, k2tbl] 4 (5, 6, 7) times, p2, k13 (12, 11, 10), sm, k1, ssk, k to end. (90, (94, 100, 104) sts)
Rnd 2: K to marker, sm, k13 (12, 11, 10), [p2, k2tbl] 4 (5, 6, 7) times, p2, k13 (12, 11, 10), sm, k to end.
Rep these 2 rnds 13 (13, 14, 14) more times until 64 (68, 72, 76) sts rem. Remove 2 markers marking Instep shaping.
Right Foot
Small (Medium, Large) Only
Rnd 1: K22, [p2, k2 tbl] 4 (5, 6) times, p2, k24. Updated 3/30/2023
Work 3 (7, 11) rnds as established.
All Sizes – Toe Chart
Rnd 1: K22, [p2, k2 tbl] 4 (5, 6, 7) times, p1, k2tog, k1, m1-r, k22. (64, (68, 72, 76) sts)
Rnd 2: K22, [p2, k2 tbl] 4 (5, 6, 7) times, k2tog, k1, m1-r, k23.
Rnd 3: K22, work row 15, (11, 7, 3 ) of right toe chart, k24.
Rep last Rnd 15, (19, 23, 27) more times total.
Next Rnd: K21, k2tog, k1, m1-r, k to end of rnd.
K0 (4, 8, 12) more rnds. (64 (68, 72, 76) sts)
Left Foot
Small (Medium, Large) Only
Rnd 1: K24, [p2, k2 tbl] 4 (5, 6) times, p2, k22. Updated 3/30/2023
Work 3 (7, 11) rnds as established.
All Sizes – (Toe Chart)
Rnd 1: K22, m1-l, k1, ssk, p1, k2 tbl, [p2, k2 tbl] 3 (4, 5, 6) times, p2, k22. (64 (68, 72, 76) sts)
Rnd 2: K23, m1-l, k1, ssk, k2 tbl, [p2, k2 tbl] 3 (4, 5, 6) times, p2, k22. (64 (68, 72, 76) sts)
Rnd 3: K24, work row 15, (11, 7, 3 ) of left toe chart, k22. This is toe chart not heart chart
Rep last Rnd 15, (19, 23, 27) more times total.
Next Rnd: K40 (44, 48, 52), m1-l, k1, ssk, k to end of rnd.
K0 (4, 8, 12) more rnds. (64 (68, 72, 76) sts)
Shape Toe
Set-up Rnd: K16 (17, 18, 19), pm, k32 (34, 36, 38), pm, k16 (17, 18, 19). (64 (68, 72, 76) sts)
Rnd 1 (Dec): K to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, sm, k1 ssk, k to 3 sts before next marker, k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk, k to end. (60 (64, 68, 72) sts
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rep the last 2 rnds 10 (11, 12, 13) times total until 24 sts rem.
Knit to first marker.
Rearrange sts so that the first 6 sts and last 6 sts of the rnd are on one DPN, while the middle 12 sts are on another DPN. Hold the two DPNS parallel and graft the sts tog using Kitchener st.
Finishing
Weave in all ends and block to dimensions.
If I knit 2tog-tbl, how do I make up the stitch that was lost due to this decrease?
Hello Eileen! I’ve reached out to the designer for advice and she or I will reply as soon as possible. Thanks! – Nicola, Editor
Hi Eileen! Thank you for bringing this to our attention, there was an error in the pattern that has been corrected above. k2 tbl not “k2tog tbl.
Sorry about that! – Nicola, Editor