Traveling Socks

Now, I know that it isn't Monday but today I thought that I would share my favorite sock pattern with you.

I will be forgoing my play day in the craft room in favor of visiting family. It should be a lot of fun. It is such a beautiful day here! Whenever I go somewhere I always bring my knitting with me. It is a nice productive way to pass the time as we visit. It's hard for me to be idle. I usually am working on a pair of socks at any given time. It makes the perfect take along project as it doesn't take up much room to tote around.

My favorite pattern is from Red Heart Yarn for their self striping socks. I have used it for years with just a couple adaptations. I love using the striping yarn because they are so pretty when they are done and it is easier than carrying several different colors with me to create a pattern. Just not into plain Jane socks.

So, here is the basic pattern. (I do a K3, P1 to make them ribbed for the leg and top of the foot.) 

Self-Striping Knit Socks
LW1619

Directions are for size 5-5½; changes for sizes (6- 6½, 7-7½, 8-8½, 9-9½, 10-10½, 11-11½, 12-12½) are in parentheses.

RED HEART® “Heart & Sole™”: 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3) Balls No. 3965 Razzle Dazzle.
Double-pointed Knitting Needles: 2.75mm [US 2]. Stitch marker; yarn needle.

GAUGE: 36 sts = 4”; 48 rnds = 4” in St st. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.

NOTE: Slip all sts as if to purl.

LEG: Cast on 48 (52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 68, 68) sts, dividing sts on 3 needles. Join to work in the round taking care that sts are not twisted. Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 1¼ (1¼, 1½, 1½, 1½, 1¾, 1¾, 1¾)”. Now work in St st, K every rnd, until 7 (7, 8, 8, 8½, 9, 9½, 9½)” from beginning.

Divide for Heel: With the 4th needle, K12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17, 17) sts on first needle, slip the same number of sts from 3rd needle onto the opposite end of the 4th needle – 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 34, 34) sts on 4th needle for Heel. Cut yarn. Divide the remaining 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 34, 34) sts evenly onto 2 needles for the Instep to work later.
With wrong side of work facing and working on heel sts only, work as follows: Row 1 (Wrong Side): Slip 1, P to end. Row 2: * Slip 1, K1; repeat from * across. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 2 (2, 2, 2¼, 2¼, 2¼, 2¼)”, end by working Row 1.

Turn Heel-Row 1 (Right Side): K14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 19, 19) sts, K2tog, K1; turn. Row 2: Slip 1, P5, P2tog, P1; turn. Row 3: Slip 1, K6, K2 tog, K1; turn. Row 4: Slip 1, P7, P2tog, P1; turn. Continue in this manner, working 1 st more st before the decrease every row until all heel sts have been worked, end by working a K row – 14 (16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20, 20) sts remain.

Gusset: With the first needle, pick up and K12 (12, 12, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16) sts along edge of heel; slip the Instep sts onto one needle and with the 2nd needle, K24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 34, 34) sts of Instep; with the 3rd needle, pick and K 12 (12, 12, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16) sts along other edge of heel and with same needle K7 (8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10) sts from heel needle. Slip remaining sts from heel needle onto first needle. There are 19 (20, 20, 25, 25, 26, 26, 26) sts on first and 3rd needles and 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 34, 34) sts on 2nd needle.
Shape Instep-Rnd 1: K to last 3 sts on first needle, K2tog, K1; K cross 2nd needle; on 3rd needle, K1, slip 1, K1, psso, K to end. Rnd 2: K. Repeat last 2 rnds until 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17, 17) sts remain on each of the first and 3rd needles. Work even until 4 (4¾, 5½, 6¼, 7¼, 8, 9, 10)” from center back of heel.
Shape Toe-Rnd 1: K to last 3 sts on first needle, K2tog, K1; on 2nd needle, K1, slip 1, K1, psso, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1; on 3rd needle, K1, slip 1, K1, psso, K to end. Rnd 2: K. Repeat last 2 rnds until 16 sts remain. With 3rd needle, K across sts of first needle – 8 sts on each of 2 needles. Cut yarn leaving a 20” length of yarn. Graft sts together.

Grafting: Thread needle with yarn. Holding the 2 needles together with yarn at the right of the back needle, draw yarn through next st on front needle as if to purl, leave st on needle,* draw yarn through next st on back needle as if to knit, leave st on needle, draw yarn through same st on front needle as if to knit, drop st off needle, draw yarn through next st on front needle as if to purl, leave st on needle, draw yarn through same st on back needle as if to purl, drop st off needle. Repeat from * until all sts are grafted together. Fasten securely on wrong side. Take care to draw yarn up so that gauge of grafting equals gauge of knitted sts.

RED HEART® “Heart & Sole™ with Aloe”,   Art. E745 available in multicolor 1.76 oz   (50 g), 213 yd (195 m) balls.
ABBREVIATIONS: K = knit; mm = millimeters; P = purl; psso = pass the slipipped st over; rnd = round; sl = slip; St st = Stockinette stitch (Knit every round); st(s) = stitch(es); tog = together; * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated

I have used this pattern with all types of sock yarns with success. I really like using wool blends in particular. You just have to remember to not dry them in the dryer!

Hope you enjoy making these. I have dozens of pairs and love them! But, now I'm off to the in-laws. Hope you have a great day!

Tina :)