Designer’s email: knittedbits@cox.net

I was inspired to knit anklet socks by the gorgeous yarn. As I looked at the yarn, I thought it could handle a little bit of pattern. It struck me as difficult enough to keep me entertained but not enough that I had to concentrate on EVERY stitch plus, in size 3 needles the socks are a quick knit!

This pattern is a: Knit Pattern

Skill Level: Intermediate.

Credits: Socks photographed by Sarah Hinz

Materials:

Yarn:

Yarn Botanika Hand Dyed Yarn (300 yards of fingering/dk weight yarn), Superwash Merino and Tencel, in the color Hot Summer Nights

Yarn Substitute:

Any DK weight yarn will work.
Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock
Koigu
Knitpicks Simple Stripes Or Dye Your Own Sock Yarn
Elann Sock It to Me Sock Yarn

Knitting Needles:

Double Point Needles, US# 3 / 3.25 mm

Notions and Accessories:

Darning needle
Tape Measure
Stitch Marker

Size:

Women’s Socks

Pattern Stitch :

Chevron & Feather Stitch:

Multiple of 13
Row 1: *K1, YO, K4, K2tog, sl 1, K1, psso, K4, YO; rep. from *
Row 2: Knit
Repeat these two rows.

Gauge: 6 stitches = 1 inch stockinette stitch

Design Notes:

Make sure to measure the length of your foot to make sure you get the correct length.
Must know how to Kitchener Stitch.

Pattern:

Leg:

Loosely cast on 52 stitches over 4 needles.
Join the stitches and place a marker.
K2, P2 around for 6 rows.
Work the pattern stitch for 4 inches.

Divide stitches evenly for the front & back.

Short-row heel:

The short-row heel is worked with no heel flap, but with short rows to form a cup for your heel. It is the hand knit heel that most resembles that of a commercial sock. It is worked on half the leg stitches, 26 in this case. It helps to place the instep stitches on a holder (or two) while working this type of heel.

Transfer stitches to one dpn. Place a marker at the center of the heel stitches.

You will be leaving the last stitch (or the last un-wrapped stitch) un-worked on each row. This is the stitch that gets wrapped.

Row 1 - Knit across, leaving one stitch un-worked. Slip this stitch to the right needle, bring the yarn to the front, put the stitch back onto the left needle, and put the yarn to the back in preparation of a Purl row. Turn your work.

Row 2 - Purl across, leaving one stitch un-worked. Slip this stitch to the right needle, bring the yarn to the back, put the stitch back onto the left needle, and put the yarn to the front in preparation of a Knit row. Turn your work.

Repeat these two rows, until you have 1” of un-worked stitches (1/2” on either side of your marker,) wrapping the last un-worked stitch on each row.

At this point, it’s time to work longer short rows.

Row 1 - Knit to the first wrapped stitch. Pick up the wrap around that stitch and place it on the left needle. Knit the stitch and wrap together as one stitch. Turn your work.

Row 1 - Purl to the first wrapped stitch. Pick up the wrap around that stitch and place it on the left needle. Purl the stitch and wrap together as one stitch. Turn your work.

Repeat these two rows until all wrapped stitches have been worked. If your wraps look sloppy, twist the wrap as you put it back on the needle.

Pick up a stitch or two where the heel meets the instep stitches on the next round. Decrease them away on the next round (or two) by Knitting 2 together - this will help prevent the hole that sometimes forms there.

Foot:

Continue knitting the stitch pattern on the instep while knitting the rest of the sock in stockinette until the foot length reaches 1.5 inches less than the finished length.

Shape Toe:

1st round: Work to 3 sts from end of needle #1, k2tog, k1. K1, ssk at beginning of needle #2. Work to 3 sts from end of needle #3, k2tog, k1. K1, ssk at beginning of needle #4, work to end of needle.

2nd Round: Work even.

Repeat the last 2 rounds until there are 6 sts on each needle, 24 stitches total. Work to the end of needle #1. Move the sts on needles #1 and #4 onto one needle, and the other stitches on another needle. Kitchener stitch these sts together.

Finishing:

Finish toe with Kitchener stitch.

Meet the Designer:

Sarah Hinz has been knitting for almost 20 years ago after learning how to knit while living in Norway. At that time it was something to keep her busy until she learned the language. After returning to the United States, the love of knitting “stuck” through college and graduate school in the Midwest.

She finds the resurged interest in knitting interesting since she was often asked if she was “practicing to be a Grandma” while knitting in college. Alas, those same people are now making knitted item requests!

She currently lives in Chandler, AZ with her husband, two children and cat where she knits a lot of lace shawls!