Any Which Way Socks
This is a pattern I've entered in the Socks Revived Design Contest. It's a work in progress so I'll be updating it before the contest is closed...
Any Which Way Socks
These socks can be done toe-up or cuff-down. You can choose your own toe and heel, or go with the ones I've recommended. You can use my colorwork chart, or insert your own, or do lace or cables or anything else instead!
Recommended gauge: 8st/inch
I used Araucania Ranco in two heathered colorways (a pink and a brown).
The US 7.5 socks were knit on US1 Addi Turbos and the US 8.5 socks were knit on US2 Addi Turbos. (Specs for the different sizes forthcoming!)
A) Toe-Up
1) CO 20 sts with either the Turkish cast-on (10 loops) or the Judy’s Magic cast-on. Distribute your stitches on two circulars or one long circular (10 sts each needle/cord) or over 4 dpns (5 sts each needle).
2) Increase 1 st at either end of each side (instep and sole) every other round until you have a total of 60 sts (30 on each side).
Optional: Stripe the toe. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
3) Knit all sts of all rounds for 50 rounds.
4) Knit the instep stitches in Color A, then knit across the sole stitches with waste yarn and purl back. Knit across the sole stitches in Color A.
5) Go up a needle size or two, or incorporate increases into the last several rounds, to compensate for tighter gauge on stranded knitting.
6) For ankle socks, begin chart here. For longer socks, keep knitting until you reach the desired length.
7) Knit several plain rounds after the chart. If you increased stitches, this is the time to decrease them back away. If you changed needle sizes, change back to the original needle size.
8) Work K1P1 ribbing for 10 rounds.
Optional: Stripe the ribbing. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
9) CO all stitches using Jenny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off.
10) Pick out the waste yarn and place the stitches back on the needles.
11) Pick up a stitch or two in the gaps to avoid holes at the sides of the heels.
12) Decrease 1 st at either end of each side every other round until you have a total of 20 sts (10 on each side).
Optional: Stripe the heel. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
13) Kitchener stitch the last round together.
14) Weave in all ends and block.
B) Cuff-Down
1) CO 60 sts in your favorite method (30 sts each side).
2) Work K1P1 ribbing for 10 rounds.
Optional: Stripe the ribbing. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
3) Knit several plain rounds. Go up a needle size or two, or incorporate increases into the last several rounds, to compensate for tighter gauge on stranded knitting.
4) Begin the chart.
5) Knit several plain rounds after the chart. If you increased stitches, this is the time to decrease them back away. If you changed needle sizes, change back to the original needle size.
6) Knit the instep stitches in Color A, then knit across the sole stitches with waste yarn and purl back. Knit across the sole stitches in Color A.
7) Knit all sts of all rounds for 50 rounds (size 7.5 USW).
8) Decrease 1 st at either end of each side (instep and sole) every other round until you have a total of 60 sts (30 on each side).
Optional: Stripe the toe. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
9) Kitchener stitch the last round together.
10) Pick out the waste yarn and place the stitches back on the needles.
11) Pick up a stitch or two in the gaps to avoid holes at the sides of the heels.
12) Decrease 1 st at either end of each side every other round until you have a total of 20 sts (10 on each side).
Optional: Stripe the heel. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
13) Kitchener stitch the last round together.
14) Weave in all ends and block.
I made up this little chart of rats and hearts when I first knit the socks. Feel free to use it!
The finished socks should look something like this...
Any Which Way Socks
These socks can be done toe-up or cuff-down. You can choose your own toe and heel, or go with the ones I've recommended. You can use my colorwork chart, or insert your own, or do lace or cables or anything else instead!
Recommended gauge: 8st/inch
I used Araucania Ranco in two heathered colorways (a pink and a brown).
The US 7.5 socks were knit on US1 Addi Turbos and the US 8.5 socks were knit on US2 Addi Turbos. (Specs for the different sizes forthcoming!)
A) Toe-Up
1) CO 20 sts with either the Turkish cast-on (10 loops) or the Judy’s Magic cast-on. Distribute your stitches on two circulars or one long circular (10 sts each needle/cord) or over 4 dpns (5 sts each needle).
2) Increase 1 st at either end of each side (instep and sole) every other round until you have a total of 60 sts (30 on each side).
Optional: Stripe the toe. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
3) Knit all sts of all rounds for 50 rounds.
4) Knit the instep stitches in Color A, then knit across the sole stitches with waste yarn and purl back. Knit across the sole stitches in Color A.
5) Go up a needle size or two, or incorporate increases into the last several rounds, to compensate for tighter gauge on stranded knitting.
6) For ankle socks, begin chart here. For longer socks, keep knitting until you reach the desired length.
7) Knit several plain rounds after the chart. If you increased stitches, this is the time to decrease them back away. If you changed needle sizes, change back to the original needle size.
8) Work K1P1 ribbing for 10 rounds.
Optional: Stripe the ribbing. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
9) CO all stitches using Jenny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off.
10) Pick out the waste yarn and place the stitches back on the needles.
11) Pick up a stitch or two in the gaps to avoid holes at the sides of the heels.
12) Decrease 1 st at either end of each side every other round until you have a total of 20 sts (10 on each side).
Optional: Stripe the heel. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
13) Kitchener stitch the last round together.
14) Weave in all ends and block.
B) Cuff-Down
1) CO 60 sts in your favorite method (30 sts each side).
2) Work K1P1 ribbing for 10 rounds.
Optional: Stripe the ribbing. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
3) Knit several plain rounds. Go up a needle size or two, or incorporate increases into the last several rounds, to compensate for tighter gauge on stranded knitting.
4) Begin the chart.
5) Knit several plain rounds after the chart. If you increased stitches, this is the time to decrease them back away. If you changed needle sizes, change back to the original needle size.
6) Knit the instep stitches in Color A, then knit across the sole stitches with waste yarn and purl back. Knit across the sole stitches in Color A.
7) Knit all sts of all rounds for 50 rounds (size 7.5 USW).
8) Decrease 1 st at either end of each side (instep and sole) every other round until you have a total of 60 sts (30 on each side).
Optional: Stripe the toe. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
9) Kitchener stitch the last round together.
10) Pick out the waste yarn and place the stitches back on the needles.
11) Pick up a stitch or two in the gaps to avoid holes at the sides of the heels.
12) Decrease 1 st at either end of each side every other round until you have a total of 20 sts (10 on each side).
Optional: Stripe the heel. This results in 5 stripes of Color B.
13) Kitchener stitch the last round together.
14) Weave in all ends and block.
I made up this little chart of rats and hearts when I first knit the socks. Feel free to use it!
The finished socks should look something like this...