Jules

By Kate Blackburn

The faded jeans effect of the hand dyed yarn, together with a slouchy slip-stitch pattern make these unisex socks the perfect attire for when you’re putting your feet up and watching your favourite film.

Photographs: Kate Blackburn

Size
UK Woman’s 4-7 [UK Men’s 10-12]

Finished measurements:
Foot length 24(28)cm/9.5(11)inches, leg circumference 17.5(20)cm/7(8)inches, with negative ease of up to 5cm/2inches.

Shown in Men’s size

Requirements
Yarn: 100(125)g Middlearthknitter Yarns Superwash Merino (100% merino wool, 360m/100g) in colour: Vintage Denim
Needles: set of 5 x 2.25mm/1US dpns or size needed to obtain correct tension
Notions: stitch marker (optional, to mark beginning of round)

Tension
34sts = 10cm/4inches in stocking stitch

Pattern Notes
Instructions for the women’s size socks are given first, with the men’s socks in brackets. Where only one number is given, directions apply to both sizes.

An alternative to the slip-stitch ribbing is given if you prefer a stretchier rib.

The socks can be adjusted for any foot length, see directions for the foot.

Abbreviations
The Inside Loop list of standard abbreviations can be found here.

Instructions
Cast on 60(68)sts over two needles held parallel. Arrange sts evenly over 4 dpns, 15(17) sts on each.

Work slip-stitch ribbing as follows:

Row 1: *k1, p3, rep from * to end of round
Row 2: *sl1, p3, rep from * to end of round

Alternatively, for a stretchier ribbing, work row 1 of pattern only throughout.

Repeat ribbing for a total of 25 rounds, thus ending after round 1.

Now begin slip-stitch pattern as follows, or follow Chart A:

Round 1: *sl1, k3, rep from * to end of round
Round 2: k all sts
Round 3: *sl1, k3, rep from * to end of round
Round 4: k all sts
Round 5: *sl1, k3, rep from * to end of round
Round 6: *k1, p3, rep from * to end of round
Round 7: *sl1, p3, rep from * to end of round
Round 8: k all sts
Round 9: *sl1, k3, rep from * to end of round
Round 10: k all sts
Round 11: *sl1, k3, rep from * to end of round
Round 12: k all sts
Round 13: *sl1, p3, rep from * to end of round
Round 14: *k1, p3, rep from * to end of round

Work slip-stitch pattern for a total of 6(7) reps, or until sock cuff is required length, making a note of which pattern round you end with.

Heel flap:
Slip last st on needle 2 onto needle 3. Slip 16(18) sts now on needles 3 onto needle 4. These 31(35) sts form heel flap. Leave remaining 29(33) sts on needles 1 and 2 to be worked for instep later.

Working on heel flap sts only:
Row 1: sl1, p to end
Row 2: sl1, k2, sl1, *k3, sl1, rep from * to last 3 sts, k3

Repeat these two rows for a total of 30(34) rows.

Heel turn:
Row 1: sl1, p16(18), p2tog, p1, turn
Row 2: sl1, k4, ssk, k1, turn
Row 3: sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 4: sl1, k6, ssk, k1, turn

Continue shaping heel flap in this manner until 17(19)sts remain, ending at the end of a knit row, ready to pick up sts up side of heel flap. Note that the last two rows will not have an additional st after p2tog/ssk.

Pick up sts:
With needle 1, pick up 15(17) sts along heel flap, plus 2 additional sts at the corner. With needles 2 and 3, work 29(33) instep sts following Chart B, beginning with next round of pattern as set. With needle 4, pick up 2 sts in the corner of the heel flap and 15(17) along edge. Knit 9(10) sts from heel flap needle onto needle 4 and slip remaining 8(9) sts onto needle 1.

Next round: k to last 2 sts on needles 1, ssk. Work across needles 2 and 3 in instep pattern. Needle 4: k2tog, k to end.

Now begin instep decreases as follows:

Round 1: k sts on needles 1 and 4, work sts on needles 2 and 3 in pattern.
Round 2: k to last 3 sts on needle 1, k2tog, k1, knit sts on needles 2 and 3 in pattern, needle 4: k1, ssk, k to end.

Continue with these two rounds until there are 31(35) sole sts remaining. Work without decreasing until foot measures 20(24)cm/8(9.5)inches or 4cm/1.5inches less than required total length.

Setup round for toe decreases: knit to last 3 sts on needle 1, k2tog, k1. Knit across sts on needles 2 and 3. Needle 4: k1, ssk, k to end of round. 58(66)sts remain.

Toe decreasing:
Round 1: k all sts
Round 2: k to last 3 sts on needles 1, k2tog, k1. Needle 2: k1, ssk, k to end. k to last 3 sts on needles 3, k2tog, k1. Needle 4: k1, ssk, k to end. Repeat these two rounds until 30(34)sts remain.

Finishing
Knit sts on needle 1 onto needle 4. Slip sts on needle 3 onto needle 2 - 15(17)sts on each needle – and graft sts together using Kitchener stitch.

About the Yarn
Middlearthknitter Yarns can be found tucked away in the Scottish borders. Read more about the business in this issue here, or visit the Etsy shop.

About the Designer
Kate learnt to knit socks three years ago. Now everyone in her family has warm feet except her. :-( Read about her attempts to knit a pair of socks for herself at her blog, Confessions of a Graveyard Gypsy.

Contact Kate