Materials:
Yarn: 2 skeins of Regia 6-ply sock yarn
Needles: US Size 3 or size required for gauge double pointed needles
(set of 4 or 5)
Gauge:
6.5 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Pattern:
Cast on 48 stitches. Divide between 3 or 4 needles.
Note: If dividing between 3 needles, keep 2 repeats on one needle and one on each of the others. I find it best to put different ending stitches on the needles so I know where I am by which stitch I ended with. See example below.
Note: If you need more stitches, add more purl stitches between the repeats. Since the pattern is a 10 stitch repeat, it is difficult to add more repeats without making the sock huge. If you need to add 11 more stitches, add a repeat. This pattern is very elastic so check it as you go and don't begin with too many stitches in the beginning.
Stitch Pattern (28 row repeat) (from the Barbara Walker 2nd Treasury of Knitting Patterns)
Row 1 and all odd numbered rows: p1, * k10, p2, repeat from * till 1 stitch remains, p1
Row 2, 4: same as Row 1
Row 6, 10, 14: p1, * (k1, yo) 3 times, k1, (SSK) 3 times, p2, repeat from * till 1 stitch remains, p1
Row 8, 12: p1, * k1 (k1, yo) 3 times, (SSK) 3 times, p2, repeat from * till 1 stitch remains, p1
Row 16, 18: same as Row 1
Row 20, 24, 28: p1, * (k2 tog) 3 times, k1, (yo, k1) 3 times, p2, repeat from * till 1 stitch remains, p1
Row 22, 26: p1, * (k2 tog) 3 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, k1, p2, repeat from * till 1 stitch remains, p1
Note: SSK = Slip as if to knit, Slip as if to knit, insert left needle into both stitches on right needle and Knit
Note: On 3 needles, I had the p1, k10; on the second needle, I had the p2, k10, p2; on the third needle, I had k10, p2, k10, p1.
Knit Rows 1-28 twice and Rows 1-14 one more time.
Divide for heel: Put the first 24 stitches onto one needle for heel and the remaining 24 stitches onto waste yarn or other needles and save for instep.
Heel flap (eye of partridge heel):
Note: Knit back and forth on 2 needles leaving instep stitches untouched.
Row 1: * sl 1 wyib (with yarn in back), k1, repeat to end
Row 2, 4: sl 1 wyif (with yarn in front), p to end
Row 3: * sl 1 wyib, * sl 1 wyib, k1, repeat till 1 stitch left, k1
Repeat these 4 rows 6 times (total of 24 rows)
Turn Heel
Row 1: sl 1 wyib, k 15, slip 1, k1, psso (pass slip stitch over), k1
turn (leaving remaining stitches on needle; just ignore them for now)
Row 2: sl 1 wyif, p5, p2 tog, p1, turn
Row 3: sl 1 wyib, k to 1 stitch before the gap (where you turned on row 1), sl 1, k1, psso, k1 turn
Row 4: sl 1 wyif, p to 1 stitch before the gap, p2 tog, p1, turn
Repeat till all the stitches on the edges (left untouched in row 1) are used up. On the last 2 rows, you won't be able to do the last k1, or p1 so end with the psso and p2 tog.
Heel Gusset
With 1 needle, K 16, pick up 12 stitches along side of heel flap. Pick
up the slipped stitches at the end of each row by inserting needle through
both loops of the stitch.
With another needle, work Row 15 of pattern across the instep stitches (this could be 1 or 2 needles depending on whether you have a set of 4 or 5 needles).
With another needle, pick up 12 stitches along other side of heel flap and then k half the stitches of the heel. This represents the end of the row for the rest of the foot.
Row 1: K to last 3 stitches on needle 1, k 2 tog, k1; work next pattern row across instep stitches; k1, SSK, k to end of row
Row 2: K stitches on first needle, work next pattern row across instep stitches, K stitches on last needle
Repeat these 2 rows until 48 stitches are left on the needles.
Continue with just Row 2 till work measures 2 inches less than desired length of foot on sock. Measure from the folded heel flap to where needles are to get the measurement (not from instep).
Toe Shaping
Row 1: K to last 3 stitches before the end of the needle, k 2 tog,
k1; k1, SSK, k to 3 stitches before end of instep stitches, k2 tog, k1;
k1, SSK, k to end of row
Row 2: K all stitches
Repeat these two rows until 12 stitches are left on needle.
Repeat just Row 1 till 8 stitches are left.
Arrange these on 2 needles with the 4 sole stitches on one needle and the 4 top of foot stitches on another.
Graft or Kitchener these stitches together or slip the last stitch on each needle over the 2nd stitch on each needle. Then turn needles and repeat on other side (do this carefully as the stitches will tend to slip). Now you have 4 stitches left. Cut a working yarn 6" from last stitch. Thread through a tapestry needle. Run it through all the stitches once working from left to right, go through first stitch again, reverse direction and run it through all the stitches from right to left, pull tight, draw end to wrong side and finish off. Weave in invisibly on the wrong side.
Work cast on end invisibly into wrong side of sock.
Repeat it all for sock # 2.