Colourwork socks
Cast on these woodland-coloured socks with their regal-looking pattern and find yourself a cosy corner to enjoy them.
Pretty Fair Isle footwear
COLOURWORK SOCKS CUFF
Cast on 60 (70) sts with Yarn C, dividing them evenly onto four needles: 15, 15, 15 and 15 sts (17, 18, 18 and 17 sts). Join to work in the round, taking care not to twist the stitches. Beg of round is between Needles 4 and 1.
Rib round *K1 with Yarn C, P1 with Yarn A; rep from * to end. (Sets pattern for corrugated rib.)
Continue in corrugated rib until work measures 2.5cm (3cm) from cast-on edge.
LEG
Rounds 1 to 30 Knit, using Chart A (B) for colourwork pattern.
HEEL FLAP
Set up round (partial) Knit the 15 (17) sts of Row 31 of Chart A (B) into Needle 4, turn. [30 (34) sts now on Needle 4]
Leave the rem 30 (36) sts on hold. Break off Yarn A.
Begin the reinforced st pattern on Needle 4 using Yarn B as folls: Row 1 (WS) Sl 1 with yarn in back, P29 (33), turn.
Row 2 (RS) (Sl 1 with yarn in back, K1) 15 (17) times, turn.
Rep Rows 1 and 2 another 13 (15) times. [28 (32) rows]
Work Row 1 once more.
HEEL TURN
Row 1 Sl1, patt across heel flap until 11 (12) sts rem, skpo, turn. Row 2 Sl 1, P8 (10), p2tog, turn.
Row 3 Sl 1, patt until 10 (11) sts rem, skpo, turn.
Row 4 Sl 1, P8 (10), p2tog, turn.
Cont in this manner until only the centre 10 (12) sts rem. Distribute these sts onto two needles, 5 (6) sts each. Knit the 5 (6) sts on the first of these two needles (now Needle 4). You are now at the midpoint of the Heel Flap, and at the beginning of the round, ready to work the second set of 5 (6) sts (now Needle 1).
GUSSET
Join Yarn A and resume the colourwork pattern on Round 32 of Chart A (B): following the Chart, work the 5 (6) sts on Needle 1 and pick up and knit the next 14 (16) sts down the left edge of the Heel Flap and 1 st from between the Heel Flap and Needle 2. Work Needles 2 and 3 following the Chart. Following the Chart pick up and knit 1 st from between Needle 3 and the Heel Flap and 13 (15) sts up the right edge of the Heel Flap. Work the remaining 5 (6) sts following the Chart. [69 (81) sts]
SIZE S ONLY
Work Rounds 33 to 43 of Chart A, decreasing 1 st on Needles 1 and 4 as shown on Rounds 33, 35, 37 and 39. [61 sts]
SIZE M ONLY
Work Rows 33 to 43 of Chart B, decreasing 1 st on Needles 1 and 4 on Rows 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 and 43. [69 sts]
FOOT
Continue straight in vertical colourwork stripes on Needles 1 and 4, while repeating Rounds 32 to 43 on the 30 (36) instep sts (Needles 2 and 3), until sole measures 19 (21)cm or until the sock covers your fifth toe.
TOE
SIZE M ONLY
Dec round Patt to end of Needle 1, K1, skpo at beg of Needle 2, patt to 3 sts before end Needle 3, k2tog, K1, patt to end of Needle 4. [67 sts]
BOTH SIZES
Dec round Patt to 3 sts before end of Needle 1, k2tog, K1, K1, skpo, patt to end of Needle 2, patt to 3 sts before end of Needle 3, k2tog, K1, K1, skpo, patt to end of Needle 4. [4 sts dec’d]
Work 1 round straight.
Decrease as set on alt rounds until 24 sts rem.
Place the remaining sts onto stitch holders. Turn work inside out. Place the 12 instep sts onto one needle and the 12 sole sts onto another. Graft the sts together using Yarn A.
FINISHING
Carefully soak the socks and allow to dry flat. Lightly steam if needed.