Quick and Thick Socks

Here's the pattern that goes with the sock tutorial I just posted. QUICK 'n' THICK SOX

Materials:

US #8 dpns (set of 4 or 5)

2 skeins Lion Brand's Wool-ease Chunky (or similar yarn that is labeled a #5 "bulky yarn")

tapestry needle

Note:

this pattern is for an average lady's sock; changes for man's sock are in ( ). This is a very simple pattern that you can embellish (particularly on the leg portion) once you feel comfortable. Please understand that this pattern is copyright in 2008 by:

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart ... hand-knit designs.

CO 32 (36) sts. Distribute evenly across the dpns. Join.

Cuff -- k2p2 ribbing for 8 rows or desired length of cuff. On last rnd of ribbing, inc 4 sts evenly across by knitting 2 sts into every 8th (9th) st. 36 (40) sts on needles.

Leg -- knit rnd on all sts till leg is desired length (about 20 rnds for lady's sock, 30 rnds for man's sock).

Heel flap -- redistribute sts so that half are on one needle and second half are on the other needle -- 18 (20) sts on each needle.Begin traditional heel sts by:

Row 1: * slip 1 st, k next st; rep from * across 18 (20) sts. Turn.

Row 2: slip 1 st, purl across 17 (19) sts. Turn.

Repeat these 2 rows for 18 (20) total rows -- you'll have 9 (10) chain sts on each edge of heel flap.

Heel turning --

Row 1: k9 (k10) sts, ssk, k1 turn.

Row 2: slip 1, p1, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 3: slip 1, k2, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 4: slip 1, p3, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 5: slip 1, k4, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 6: slip 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 7: slip 1, k6, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 8: slip 1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn.

(Row 9: slip 1, k8, ssk, k1, turn.)

(Row 10: slip 1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn.)

Pick-up gusset stitches and start working foot:

K across 10 (12) sts. Pick-up 9 (10 sts) along heel flap edge. Knit across 18 (20) instep sts. Pick-up 9 (10) sts along heel flap edge. 46 (52) sts.

Begin gusset decrease by:

rnd 1: k10 (12), k7 (k8), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k7 (k8). 44 (50) sts

rnd 2: k10 (12), k6 (k7), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k6 (k7). 42 (48) sts

rnd 3: k10 (12), k5 (k6), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k5 (k6). 40 (46) sts

rnd 4: k10 (12), k4 (k5), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k4 (k5). 38 (44) sts

rnd 5: k10 (12), k3 (k4), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k3 (k4). 36 (42) sts

rnd 6: k10 (12), k2 (k3), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k2 (k3). 34 (40) sts

rnd 7: k10 (12), k1 (k2), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k1 (k2). 32 (38) sts

rnd 8: k9 (11), k1 (k2), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k0 (k1). 30 (36) sts

rnd 9: k9 (11), k1 (k2), k2tog, k16 (k19), ssk, k0 (k1). 28 (34) sts

(just man's sock: k11, k1, k2tog, k17, ssk, k1. 32 sts)

Work around on foot sts -- 28 (32) sts for desired length which is about 1-1/2 inches before tip of toes -- approx. 15 (30) rnds.

Begin toe shaping by redistributing sts on 2 needles: 14 (16) sts per needle.

row 1: k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of needle, k2tog, k1; rep on 2nd needle

Rep row 1 until 8 (10) sts remain. Break yarn and pull thru sts. Tuck in all loose ends and ENJOY!

Socks really aren't so hard and with big yarn on big needles they go together quickly and you can easily see what is occuring. Try these socks and "holler" if you have any questions....

Happy knittin!