A blend of merino wool and cashmere gives these comfortable slouchy socks a feel of luxury. They are worked in easy stocking stitch stripes and on two needles instead of the usual four. A decorative rib adds a bit of interest on the turnover cuff. Do remember to use them on carpeted floors for safety reasons.
Measurements
One size (to fit an avorage lady’s foot)
Materials
2 x 50 g balls of Baby DK
1 x 50 g ball of Cashsoft Baby DK
Pair of 4 mm (UK 8/US 6) needles
Stitch holders
Tension
22 sts x 30 rows over stocking stitch = 10 cm (4 in) using 4 mm (UK 8/US 6) needles
Special abbreviations
tw2b: worked over the next 2 sts as follows, knit into the back of the 2nd stitch but do not slip the stitch off the needle, knit into the front of the first stitch and slip both stitches off the needle at the same time.
SOCKS (Make 2 alike)
Using Sage and 4 mm (UK 8/US 6) needles, cast on 52 sts.
Work in fancy rib as follows:
Row 1: *K2, p2. Rep from * to end.
Row 2 (RS): k2, *p2, tw2b, p2, k2.* Rep from * to * to last 2 sts. P2.
Rep the last 2 rows for 5 cm (2 in), ending Row 1.
Next row: *K2, p2. Rep from * to end.
Next row: *K2, p2. Rep from * to end.
Continue in k2, p2 rib as on last 2 rows for a further 5 cm (2 in), ending with RS facing you for next row. Change to st st and proceed as follows: (carry yarn up side of work when changing colours).
Work in st st stripes of 4 rows Sage, 4 rows Limone until 5th Sage stripe has been completed. Divide for heel. The heel is knitted in Sage so a separate ball of yarn will be needed to enable you to keep continuity of the stripe sequence. Using Sage, knit 13 (for first half of heel), slip next 26 sts onto a stitch holder (for instep). Slip rem 13 sts onto a second stitch holder (for second half of heel).
First half of heel: Return to first set of 13 sts on needle, continue in Sage and proceed as follows:
Row 1 (WS): sl1, p12.
Row 2: K13
Rep these 2 rows 6 times more, then work Row 1 once more.
Turn heel as follows;
Row 1 (RS): k2, sl1, k1, psso, k1, turn.
Row 2: sl1, p3.
Row 3: K3, sl1, k1, psso, k1, turn.
Row 4: sl1, p4.
Row 5: K4, sl1, k1, psso, k1, turn.
Row 6: Sl1, p5.
Row 7: K5, sl1, k1, psso, k1, turn.
Row 8: Sl1, p6.
Row 9: K6, sl1, k1, psso, k1.
Row 10: sl1, p7.
Break yarn and place remaining 8 sts onto a holder. Second half of heel: With RS facing, place 13 sts held for second half of heel on needle. Join in Sage.
Row 1 (RS): Sl1, k12.
Row 2: P13.
Rep these 2 rows 7 more times, then work Row 1 once more.
Turn heel as follows:
Row 1 (WS): P2, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 2: S11, k3.
Row 3: P3, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 4: Sl1, k4.
Row 5: P4, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 6: Sl1, k5.
Row 7: P5, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 8: Sl1, k6, turn.
Row 9: P6, p2tog, p1.
Break yarn and place remaining 8 sts on to holder.
Gusset
With RS facing, rejoin Sage and knit 8 sts of first half of heel from holder, pick and knit 6 sts along edge of first half of heel, using Limone, knit 26 sts of instep from holder. Using Sage, pick up and knit 6 sts along edge of second half of heel, knit 8 sts of second half of heel from holder. (54 sts.)
Next row and following alt rows: Purl. **Keep striped colour sequence correct on centre 26 sts and use Sage either end of row until Gusset is completed.**
Row 3 (RS): k12, k2tog, k26, sl1, k1, psso, k12. (52 sts.)
Row 5: K11, k2tog, k26, sl1, k1, psso, k11. (50 sts.)
Row 7: K10, k2tog, k26, ssk, k10. (48 sts.)
Row 9: K9, k2tog, k26, sl1, k1, psso, k9. (46 sts.)
Row 11: K8, k2tog, k26, sll, kl, psso, k8. (44 sts.)
Row 12: Purl. Heel shaping is now complete. Continue across all stitches in stripe pattern until you have 10 stripes of Limone in all. Break off Limone and continue in Sage only.
Shape toe
Row 1: K8, k2tog, k2, ssk, k16, k2tog, k2, ssk, k8. (40 sts.)
Row 2: and following alt rows: Purl.
Row 3: K7, k2tog, k2, sl1, k1, psso, k14, k2tog, k2, sl1, k1, psso, k7. (36 sts.) Continue decreasing 4 sts on every other row in this way until 20 sts remain, then cast off.
to make up
Sew in all ends very neatly. Join seams using a very flat seam and matching stripes as you do. Reverse seam for 5 cm (2 in) at top of sock for turn back.