Sweetheart socks
Cast on these toe-up tootsie treats for an extra-special loved one, and smother them in knitted love.
There’s something special about knitting a pair of socks for someone you care about, safe in the knowledge that their feet are warm and comfy no matter what’s going on in their day. Add that to their handy, portable nature and it’s no surprise that they are one of the most addictive knitting projects around!
SOCK
(MAKE 2) Worked in the round from the toe up.
Cast on 28 stitches using 2 mm DPNs or circular needles, 60cm long (for Magic Loop method) and Yarn A. Join to work in the round, taking care not to twist sts.
PM for beg of round, and PM after stitch 14.
Begin working from Chart A, increasing where indicated. When Round 17 is complete there will be 60 sts. Cont to work Chart A until Round 30 is complete, then repeat Rounds 24-30 until piece measures approx 7.5cm less than desired foot length, ending after a Round 30.
SHAPE GUSSET
Next round Work Round 24 of Chart A to sm (ending on st 30), remove sm, work next st of Chart A, replace sm, work Chart B over sole sts to end. [31 sts for instep, 29 sts for sole.] Last round sets placement of Charts A and B. Cont to work as set, working through Rounds 24-30 of Chart A over instep sts and Chart B over sole sts and increasing where indicated.
[74 sts when all 14 rows of Chart B are complete.]
Slip the first 31 sts onto a holder, slip the next 7 sts onto a second holder and slip the last 7 sts at the end of round onto a third holder. Working on these 29 sts only, cont in stripes as set by Chart B and work as folls back and forth in rows: Row 1 (RS) Knit to last st, turn. Row 2 ( WS) Sl1 pwise, P to last st, turn. Row 3 Sl 1, K to last 2 sts, turn. Row 4 Sl 1 pwise, P to last 2 sts, turn.
Continue short rows as set, increasing the amount of sts before the end by 1 st every RS row until 17 stitches remain in the middle of row, ending on a WS row.
Next row (RS) Sl 1, K to gap, lift the horizontal yarn between next two sts onto the LH needle (as if to M1) and knit this strand together with next st.
Next row ( WS) Sl 1 purlwise, P to gap, lift the horizontal yarn between next two sts onto the LH needle (as if to M1 pwise) and purl this strand together with next st. Rep last 2 rows until all sts are used up, ending on a WS row.
Continue back and forth over heel and stitches placed on stitch holders at the sides as follows:
Next row (RS) Cont in stripe pattern as set, Sl 1, K to last st of heel, ssk last st with first st from holder, turn.
Next row ( WS) Sl 1 purlwise, P to last st of heel, p2tog last st with first st from holder, turn. Rep last 2 rows until all sts from holders
have been worked and 29 sts rem in heel.
Place a locking marker or piece of waste yarn in last st to measure from later.
You will now begin working in rounds again.
LEG
Next round Work Round 24 of Chart A across 31 sts from holder, PM, cont Chart A across 29 sts from heel. [60 sts]
Cont to work Rounds 24-30 of Chart A across all sts until piece measures approx 10cm from marker, ending after a Round 30 of Chart A.
Knit 3 rounds with Yarn A, increasing 4 sts evenly on the final round. [64 sts]
CUFF
Change to 2mm DPNs or circular needles, 60cm long (for Magic Loop method).
Round 1 (K2, P2) to end. Rep Round 1 until rib measures 3cm.
Cast off loosely in rib.
TO MAKE UP
Fold cast- on edge double and graft together opening at the front of toe. Cut the yarn and weave in ends.
HOW TO USE OUR CHARTS
Start at the bottom right-hand corner. Read right-side rows from right to left and wrong-side rows from left to right. A row of squares represents a row of knitting.