Picture, courtesy Ilze Abolins, shows Ruth's Socks knit with 2 strands of Red Sprinkles Woolease
These are an evolutionary version of Joan's Socks
2 Balls worsted-weight Wool-Ease yarn
Size 8 double-pointed needles. (5 needles needed)
Knit with two strands throughout.
Gauge: 4 stitches = 1", but don't worry about it since you're knitting
to
fit.
SHORT, PITHY VERSION:
Cast on 4 stitches, knit a small square.
Pick up 4 stitches on each side of this square.
Increase 1 stitch each end of each needle, every other row, until you
have 8 stitches on each needle.
Knit for one inch.
Start 1x1 ribbing over half the stitches (space them so they center
over
the toe).
Knit until it's long enough to start the heel.
Do short rows for heel over 1/4 of the heel stitches, then pick them
up again.
Continue in established pattern for one inch.
Start 1x1 ribbing for all stitches, continue until ankle part is long
enough.
Use a sewn bindoff, loosely.
LONGER, MORE EXPLANATORY VERSION:
TOE:
Cast on 4 stitches.
*Row 1: knit.
Row 2: purl.* Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 6 rows, counting
the cast-on row (you're ending on a knit row). Call this needle one.
Pick up 4 stitches in each side of this square, using a new needle for each side. You now have 16 stitches, or 4 stitches on each of 4 needles.
*Round 1: Knit.
Round 2: For each needle, Knit 1, increase 1, knit to next-to-last stitch, increase 1, knit 1. * You now have 6 stitches on each of 4 needles, 24 total. Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until you have 8 stitches on each needle, 32 total.
Knit around until you have 1 inch from the end of the increases, about 4 rows.
[First fitting: Try it on. If it's too tight, rip back and do more increases, if it's too loose, rip and do less increases. Don't worry, it's only an inch.]
FOOT:
On either needle 2 or 4, work this way: Knit 4, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1. Continue this 1x1 ribbing over the next needle, and the first 4 stitches of the needle after that. Knit around, continuing ribbing.
Continue in pattern until ready to start heel.
[Second fitting: Try it on again. You're ready to start the heel when the sock is long enough that the ribbing barely touches where your ankle turns into your shin.]
HEEL:
Work short rows on the knit stitches. *Knit across to last knit stitch.
Bring yarn forward as if to purl, slip last stitch, turn work. Slip the
stitch again, so that the yarn has wrapped around it. Purl to last stitch,
bring yarn to back as if to knit, slip last stitch, turn. Repeat from *
, turning one stitch before the turning stitch of the previous turn.
Repeat until you have 4 turning stitches on each side of the heel. Then reverse the process, picking up the stitches this way: *Knit to first turning stitch. Knit into the stitch and the yarn that wraps around it, turn. Slip this stitch, then purl to next turning stitch. Purl into the stitch and the yarn that wraps around it, turn. Repeat from * until you have picked up all the short rows. Knit around to ribbing stitches, and continue in pattern.
Helpful hint: if you have a gap in the stitches between the knitting and the ribbing, pick up an extra stitch in that gap. In the next round, decrease one stitch at that same point.
Continue in knitting and ribbing until you are 1 inch above the heel.
[Next fitting: Try it on for foot length. Redo heel if necessary.]
ANKLE:
Do 1x1 ribbing all around. Continue until the sock is long enough.
Bind off loosely, using sewn bindoff.