Craft a pair of retro-inspired socks perfect for spring. Featuring a floral cuff with a 70s vibe, these cozy socks are worked in the round with an afterthought heel for an extra touch of nostalgia.
Time: Weekend Project
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 25cm x 25cm but foot and leg length are easily adjustable to suit your foot. See schematic.
Gauge: 38 sts and 46 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking
Materials
MC1: Drops Fabel (75% Wool, 25% Polamide; 224 yards [205 meters]/50 grams): 102 pink (2 skeins), CC1: Drops Fabel (75% Wool, 25% Polamide; 224 yards [205 meters]/50 grams): 118 green (1 skein), CC2: Drops Fabel (75% Wool, 25% Polamide; 224 yards [205 meters]/50 grams): 116 cornflower blue (1 skein).
Needles: US size 1 (2.25 mm) set of 5 DPNS or 40” (100 cm) circular for magic loop.
Notions: tapestry/ darning needle, 3 stitch markers, scissors
Abbreviations
2×2 rib: (k2, P2) until end of rnd.
Kitchener st: Grafting
Pattern Notes The socks are knit in the round from the top down. The flower motif is worked over 30 rounds and then the sock is worked straight in a tube until it is time to shape the toe. The heel is worked afterwords by cutting into the sock and picking up the live sts. The length of the leg and foot is adjustable to your preference by adding or removing the number of rounds.
Pattern Make 2
Cuff
With C1 CO 80sts. Join in the rnd being careful not to twist the sts. Pm to mark beg of rnd.
Rnds 1-16: Work in 2×2 rib.
Leg
Change to MC:
Work 10 rnds in St st.
Next Rnd: [K38, k2tog] twice. (78 sts)
Colorwork
Set up Rnd: (K26, pm) 3 times.
Rnd 1: Work rnd 1 from chart one 3 times.
Rnd 2 and all following rnds until rnd 30: Work appropriate rnd from chart one 3 times.
Mark Heel placing for afterthought heel.
Work in St st until the foot measures 18 cm or desired length less 7cm, from start of ribbing.
Place lockable removable sm on 1st stitch of rnd.
Foot
Continue in St st for 19 cm from st marker or desired length less 11 cm.
Toe
Change to CC1
Set up Rnd: K19, pm, k38 pm, k19.
Rnd 1: K to 3 sts before m, k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before m, k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk, k to end of rnd. (74 sts)
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rep Rnds 1 & 2 eight times more. (42 sts)
Rep Rnd 1 six times. (18 sts)
Next rnd: K to 1st marker. Place the next 8 sts on one DPN and the rem sts on the first DPN. Remove all markers in the toe. Graft Sts together using Kitchener st.
Afterthought heel
Ensure the sock is lying flat so the marked stitch is centered.
Using a dpn, picked up the right leg of 38 sts under the marked row.
Rotate the sock 180 degrees and with another dpn, pick up the right leg of the opposite 38 sts.
under the marked stitch. The st with the stitch marker should be in the centre of these two rows. You should have 76 stitches on your needles, with one row of knitting separating them.
Next snip this marked st with a small sharp scissors and gently unravel the stitches between your two needles. Use a tapestry needle or another dpn to help.
With CC2, knit two rnds of the heel, pm between each needle. Redistribute stitches across 4 needles.
Wedge Heel
Rnd 1: K1, ssk, k to 3 sts before m, k2tog, k1, sm k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before m, k2tog, k1. (72 sts)
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rep Rnds 1 & 2 seven times more. (44 sts)
Rep Rnd 1 six times. (20 sts)
Graft remaining sts together using Kitchener st.
Finishing
Weave in all ends and gently block to dimensions.