I haven't written anything on the blog for so long and a pair of these super cute socks seems like a great excuse. I've always loved knitted socks but somehow making them myself was a problem. Second Sock Syndrome, just like the sleeve one, runs strong in my blood, but I don't think that was it. I always felt I was making something so "futile" - no one would admire them hidden in boots, they were so small (not like a sweater or a shawl) and at the same time had so many tiny stitches and seemed like so much work. And then after many years of laying low about my ability to create colors, I openly started dyeing my own sock yarn... at this point it seemed only logical I need to start making socks too. And I finally caught "the sock bug".
I've knit a couple of pairs of socks last year, for my kids, for my boyfriend, and even for me (which was not so obvious, believe me) and most of them are becoming knitting patterns that you can find in my shop. Today, however, let me present you with a free pattern I made from various scraps of yarns in my stash (my own CGY is showcased here too!). Let's call them... Scrappy Socks!
SCRAPPY SOCKS - a knitting pattern
Size
Small: to fit 20.5 cm/8” foot circumference.
Large: to fit 23.5 cm/9.25” foot circumference.
The modeled sample is in size Small with a length of 25 cm/10” from toe to heel.
Yarn
Any fingering weight yarn in 9 colors, approx. 60m/66 yards each.
Actual yardage will depend on finished foot and leg lengths, which are easily adjustable.
Needles
2.5mm/US#1.5 circular needle (80 cm/32" long) for magic-loop or dpns.
Other
Marker (optional, to mark BOR), tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
Gauge
32 sts and 44 rnds = 10 cm/4" in St st worked in the rnd, after wet blocking.
Pattern Techniques
Judy’s Magic Cast-On - you may refer to http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html
Also if you would like to knit jogless stripes in the round you may refer to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAMWLXdJFkI
Pattern Stitches
1x1 Rib (in the round) - *k1, p1*, rep around.
Abbreviations BO - bind off; BOR – beginning of round; CC – contrast color; CO - cast on; dpns – double-pointed needles; inc – increase(d); k - knit; k2tog – knit 2 stitches together as one; LH – left hand; m1L - make one left - lift loop between stitches from the front, knit into back of loop; m1R - make one right - lift loop between stitches from the back, knit into front of loop; p - purl; rep - repeat; rnd(s) - round(s); RS - right side; sl - slip stitch; st, sts - stitch, stitches; St st – Stockinette stitch; tbl – through the back loops; WS – wrong side; w&t - wrap-and-turn: bring yarn to front of work between needles, slip next st to RH needle, bring yarn around this st to back of work, slip st back to LH needle, turn work to begin working back in other direction; ** - repeat as noted between asterisks.
Construction
The socks are worked upwards from toe to cuffs. The foot of the sock is worked in a striped pattern. The heels are shaped using w&t short rows. The leg of the sock continues the patterning from foot. The socks are finished with short ribbed cuffs.
Instructions
Toe
Using CC1 yarn and Judy’s Magic Cast-On method, CO 16 (20) sts total; 8 (10) sts on each needle.
Knit one rnd.
Inc rnd: *k1, m1L, k to last st on the needle, m1R, k1*, rep once more. 4 sts inc
Next rnd: knit around.
Rep last 2 rnds 11 (12) more times. 64 (72) sts
Break CC1.
Tip: Begin using all dpns when there are enough sts to be divided among all four. If you are using magic loop, divide sts in half with front sts on first needle and back sts on second needle.
Foot
Tip: Measure along the side of your foot from the base of your big toe to your ankle bone; divide by 4 to get the approx. length of each stripe in this section.
Stripe #1 - Stockinette
Attach CC2 and knit 16 (20) rnds, or desired number.
Break CC2.
Stripe #2 – Reverse Stockinette
Attach CC3 and knit 1 rnd.
Next rnd: p32 (36), k32 (36).
Rep last rnd 14 (18) times, or desired number.
Break CC3.
Stripe #3 – Stockinette
Attach CC4 and knit 16 (20) rnds, or desired number.
Break CC4.
Stripe #4 - Garter
Attach CC5.
Rnd 1: knit around.
Rnd 2: p32 (36), k32 (36).
Rep last 2 rnds 7 (9) times, or desired number.
Break CC5.
The sock should measure approx. 5 (5.5) cm/2 (2.25)" less than desired length to back of heel.
Heel
Slip 32 (36) front sts, then attach CC1. The following short rows are worked back and forth on the heel sts only.
Short Row 1 (RS): k31 (35), w&t.
Short Row 2 (WS): p30 (34), w&t.
Short Row 3 (RS): k to 1 st before last wrapped st, w&t.
Short Row 4 (WS): p to 1 st before last wrapped st, w&t.
Rep Short Rows 3&4 nine (ten) more times. 10 (12) unwrapped sts remain
Short Row 5 (RS): k to 1st wrapped st, pick up the wrap and knit it together with the st, w&t.
Short Row 6 (WS): p to 1st wrapped st, pick up the wrap and purl it together with the st, w&t.
Short Row 7 (RS): k to double wrapped st, pick up both wraps and knit them together with the st, w&t.
Short Row 8 (WS): p to double wrapped st, pick up both wraps and purl them together with the st, w&t.
Rep Short Rows 7&8 eight (nine) more times, then rep Short Row 7 once more.
Break CC1.
Leg
Stripe #5 - Stockinette
Attach CC6.
Resume working in the rnd, picking up the last remaining pair of wraps (after you have worked the instep) and knitting them together with the st they were wrapped around.
Knit 15 (19) more rnds.
Break CC6.
Stripe #6 – Broken Rib
Attach CC7.
Rnd 1: knit around.
Rnd 2: *k1, p1*, rep around.
Rep last 2 rnds 7 (9) times, or desired number.
Break CC7.
Stripe #7 – Stockinette
Attach CC8 and knit 16 (20) rnds, or desired number.
Break CC8.
Stripe #8 – Moss
Attach CC9.
Rnd 1: knit around.
Rnds 2&3: *k1, p1*, rep around.
Rnd 4&5: *p1, k1*, rep around.
Rep last 4 rnds 3 (4) times, or desired number.
Break CC9.
Cuff
Attach CC1 and knit one rnd.
Work in 1x1 Rib for 2.5 cm/1”.
BO rnd: k2, *sl the 2 worked sts to the LH needle, and k2tog tbl, k1*, rep to end. Fasten off and secure end.
Rep instructions for the second sock.
Finishing
Weave in all loose ends. Block the socks as desired. Enjoy!
Happy knitting!
You can download PDF version of the pattern here.
Copyright Lete’s Knits / Justyna Knits 2023. Pattern is for personal use only. Please respect designer’s copyright.
All photography by Harmonia Zdjęć.