I’m Knitting As Fast As I Can

These baby socks have a ribbed heel that keeps them on baby’s feet. The instructions are based on multiples of 8 so they are easy to remember. This is a revised version of a pattern I posted several years ago.

Yarn: 1 skein [50g; 175 yds] Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino [100% merino wool]
Needles: Set of double-pointed needles (dpns), US #2/2.75mm, or any size that will give you the correct gauge
Gauge: Approx. 7 sts = 1″ in stockinette stitch.
Size: Worked at the suggested gauge, the foot of the finished sock measures approx. 3.5 inches.

Instructions
Cuff: Loosely CO 32 sts. Divide sts onto 3 dpns. Join into the round without twisting the sts.
Rnds 1-32: K1, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end of rnd, ending with k1.
Note: If you do not want a turn-down cuff, work ribbing for 16 rnds instead of 32 rnds.

Heel Flap:
Place next 16 sts on waste yarn or 2 dpns. These are the instep sts; they begin and end with a knit stitch. Turn sock so wrong side is facing.
Row 1: Sl1, [k2, p2] 3 times, k2, p1, turn.
Row 2: Sl1, [p2, k2] 3 times, p2, k1, turn.
Work Rows 1-2, eight times (16 heel flap rows).

Turn Heel:
Row 1: Sl1, p8, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 2: Sl1, k3, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 3: Sl1, p4, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 4: Sl1, k5, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 5: Sl1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 6: Sl1, k7, ssk, k1, do not turn. (10 heel sts)

Foot:
Divide sts as follows:
Ndl #1: 5 heel sts
Ndl #2: 16 instep sts
Ndl #3: 5 heel sts

Beg. with Ndl #1, pick up and knit 8 sts along the side of the heel flap plus 1 st to close the gusset; work instep sts in est. rib pattern; with a spare dpn, pick up and knit 1 st to close the gusset and 8 sts along the second side of the heel flap; knit the 5 heel sts from Ndl #3.

Rnd 1:
Ndl #1: Knit until 3 sts remain, k2tog, k1.
Ndl #2: Work sts in est. rib pattern.
Ndl #3: K1, ssk, k the remaining sts.
Rnd 2:
Ndl #1: Knit all sts.
Ndl #2: Work sts in est. rib pattern.
Ndl #3: Knit all sts.

Repeat Rnds 1 & 2 until 32 sts remain.
Repeat Rnd 2 only, 8 times.

Toe:
Rnds 1-3: Knit all sts.
Rnd 4: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd (8 sts decreased).
Rnds 5-7: Knit all sts.
Rnd 8: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd.
Rnds 9 & 10: Knit all sts.
Rnd 11: *K2tog; repeat from * end of rnd.

8 sts remain. Break yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread the yarn tail onto a tapestry ndl and run the ndl through the 8 remaining sts. Pull tight to close the toe. Weave in yarn ends.

©2009 Susan Pierce Lawrence
http://knittingasfastasican.com
This pattern is for your personal, non-commercial use only. You may not reproduce the pattern or any part of it for free distribution, sale, or any other purpose without my prior consent. Items made from these instructions may not be sold under any circumstances.

A lovely skein of Koigu Painter’s Palette inspired me to make some changes to my Pieces of Eight baby sock pattern.

Basically, I added a turn-down cuff and made some minor adjustments to the foot. Look for the new and improved version tomorrow.

Amy seems to have taken an unusual interest in this project.

Several months ago I answered a call for submissions from Interweave Press. A few weeks later, I got an email from Lisa telling me my submission had been chosen for the Holiday Gifts issue. Fun!

The submission was for a small project, but the instructions were fairly complicated and I obsessed with getting them both clear and correct. I knitted and felted the samples and then, because the design incorporated a large bead, began the search for the perfect bead. Before I knew it, the mailing deadline was upon me and I still had no beads. A canvassing of the local beads shops turned up nothing.

Enter my lampworking friend.

I brought the finished pouches to her house one evening and by the next day she had made all the beads I needed. And, talk about a custom job, each was designed specifically to match each pouch.

Just perfect.

The magazine came out a few weeks ago and Interweave made them look lovely and whimsical.

Unfortunately, I don’t get to keep the samples. But my friend made me a few extra beads. I just need to find some time to knit up some more of the pouches.  Got any to spare?