Ribbed socks
Susana Mertsalmi’s cosy socks are knitted in a wool mix yarn and come with all the warmth and resilience you need for adventurous days out
Chunky treats for your feet
RIBBED SOCKS CUFF
Cast on 48 (56: 64) sts using Yarn C and distribute them onto four double-pointed needles, 12 (14: 16) sts each. The beginning of the round is between Needles 4 and 1. Join to work in the round, being careful to not twist stitches.
Row 1 *K2, P2; rep from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until Cuff measures 6cm.
LEG
Change to Yarn A and cont in rib until Leg measures 20cm.
HEEL FLAP
Move 2 sts from the beginning of Needle 4 onto Needle 3. Change to Yarn B.
Next round Knit the sts on Needle 1 onto Needle 4. [22 (26: 30) sts] Leave the other sts on hold.
Row 1 (WS) Sl 1, P21 (25: 29), turn.
Row 2 (Sl 1, K1) 11 (13: 15) times.
Rep Rows 1 and 2 another 10 (12: 14) times. [22 (26: 30) rows] Work Row 1 once more.
HEEL TURN
Keep working the reinforced st pattern as before.
Row 1 (RS) Patt across heel flap until 8 (9: 10) sts rem, skpo, turn. Row 2 Sl 1, P6 (8: 10), p2tog, turn.
Row 3 Sl 1, patt until 7 (8: 9) sts remain, skpo, turn.
Row 4 Sl 1, P6 (8: 10), p2tog, turn.
Cont in this manner until only the centre 8 (10: 12) sts rem. Distribute these sts onto two needles, 4 (5: 6) sts each.
GUSSET
Change to Yarn A.
With RS facing, knit second set of 4 (5: 6) sts onto Needle 1, with same needle pick up and knit tbl 11 (13: 15) sts down the left edge of the Heel Flap and 1 st at corner, with Needle 2, rib across 13 (15: 17) sts of instep, with Needle 3, rib across rem 13 (15: 17) sts of instep, with Needle 4, pick up and knit tbl 1 st from the corner and 11 (13: 15) sts up the right edge of the Heel Flap, then knit rem 4 (5: 6) sts with Needle 4. [58 (68: 78) sts]
You should now have 16 (19: 22) sts on each of Needles 1 and 4 and 13 (15: 17) sts on each of Needles 2 and 3.
Dec round Knit to 2 sts before end of Needle 1, k2tog, rib across Needles 2 and 3, skpo at beg of Needle 4, knit to end of Needle 4. [2 sts dec’d]
Plain round Knit to end of Needle 1, rib across Needles 2 and 3, knit to end of Needle 4.
Rep dec round, work 2 plain rounds, rep dec round, work 3 plain rounds, rep dec round, work 4 plain rounds. Cont in this manner, increasing plain rounds between decs, until 48 (56: 64) sts rem.
FOOT
Cont straight in rib pattern on instep and knit on sole until sole measures 14 (18: 24)cm or sock covers your fifth toe. Change to Yarn C.
TOE
Dec round Knit to end of Needle 1, K1, skpo at beg of Needle 2, rib to 3 sts before end Needle 3, k2tog, K1, knit to end of Needle 4. [2 sts dec’d]
Work 1 plain round.
Rep last 2 rounds once more. [11 (13: 15) sts on each needle]
Dec round Knit to 3 sts before end of Needle 1, k2tog, K1, K1, skpo, rib to end of Needle 2, rib to 3 sts before end of Needle 3, k2tog, K1, K1, skpo, knit to end of Needle 4. [4 sts dec’d]
Decrease as set on alt rounds until 20 (24: 28) sts rem, then decrease every round until 8 sts rem.
FINISHING
Break the yarn, pass it through the remaining sts, pull up and securely weave in the ends.