Diamonds On My Ankles
Mar 27th, 2010 by knittykat
Diamonds On My Ankles
By Katherine Myers
I constantly look for patterns that are easy and uncomplicated while giving some interest–the kind that has people saying “I love your socks. Did you knit them?” Why yes I did and they are deceptively simple! The only perplexing thing about this pattern is that if you are a dpn knitter you will probably want to move stitches from one needle to the next to make the end of row yo’s smoother. No biggie! If that sort of thing bothers you it will not be a problem when using two circulars and not even a big deal with double pointed needles. Enjoy!
Materials: sock weight yarn (fingering), 100 grams.
Needles: Size US #2 dpn’s. Of course I use Comfort Zone Needles. You can also use two circulars or Magic Loop.
Gauge – 8 stitches per inch.
Cast on 60 stitches loosely. (Note: I usually cast on using a size US #3 to make the stitches stretchy). Arrange on four double pointed needles (15 – 15 – 15 – 15). Switch back to US #2 needles. Work one to two inches of k2, p2 ribbing. Then work two rounds of straight stockinette.
Continue with chart or instructions:
Instructions:
After two inches of ribbing and two rows of stockinette begin pattern
Abbreviations:
yo = yarn over
k2tog = knit two stitches together
sl1 = slip one stitch from left to right needle
psso = pass slipped stitch over
NOTE: Chart and written instructions incorporate 30 stitches or two of four needles. You will have to repeat the chart/instructions on the remaining two needles.
Row 1: k5, (yo, k2tog, k8) 2 times, yo, k2tog, k3. Repeat around.
Row 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 & 11: knit around
Row 3: k4, (yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, k2tog, k6) 2 times, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, k2tog, k2. Repeat around.
Row 5: k3, (yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, k2tog k4) 2 times, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, k2tog, k1. Repeat around.
Row 7: k4, (yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6) 2 times, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2. Repeat around.
Row 9: k5, (yo, sl1, k1, psso, k8) 2 times, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k3. Repeat around.
Row 12: k5, (yo, k2tog, k8) 2 times, yo, k2tog, k3. Repeat around.
Row 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 22: knit around
Row 14: k3, (yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, k2tog k4) 2 times, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, k2tog, k1. Repeat around.
Row 16: k3, (yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, k2tog k4) 2 times, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, k2tog, k1
Row 18: k4, (yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k6) 2 times, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2. Repeat around.
Row 20: k5, (yo, sl1, k1, psso, k8) 2 times, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k3. Repeat around.
Repeat rows 1 through 22 a second time for longer top. If you prefer a short ankle length one repeat will be enough.
NOTE: Using heel and toe reinforcement thread in cotton, nylon or nylon wrapped cotton will make your socks stronger and wear longer.
Heel flap:
Row 1: Sl 1 knitwise, p29.
Row 2: Sl 1 knitwise, * K1, Sl 1* repeat from * until last stitch, K1.
Repeat above 2 rows until heel flap is approximately 2” deep or slightly less for a smaller foot.
Turning the heel: (Begin on a purl row)
Row 1:sl1, purl 17, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 2: sl1, k5, k2tog, k1, turn
Continue across each knit and purl row as follows:
Purl to the gap created by the short-row, p2tog across the gap, p1 and turn.
On the knit row, knit across the row to the gap created by the short-row, k2tog, k1 and turn. Continue in this manner until all stitches on the needle are finished.
When the heel flap and cup are completed, start the gusset.
Finish the heel cup on a knit row, and begin to pick up stitches along the side of the heel flap. Pick up one more stitch in the gap where the heel flap meets the front stitches to prevent a hole. Now knit across the 30 stitches on the two front needles. (Note: If you have removed the stitches from needles 1 and 2 to waste yarn, this is the point at which you need to replace the stitches on the two needles). When you reach the end of the front needles pick up at least the same number of stitches along the other side of the heel flap with your extra needle.
Gusset:
As you knit across the heel stitches you are back to four needles with 15 and 15 on the front needles and all the extra stitches divided evenly on the back two needles.
NOTE: At this point you may choose to continue the diamond pattern on the front needles 1 & 2 (instep to toe) if you wish. If you do so you will want to knit across the chart one time instead of two and continue plain stockinette across what will be the sole of the sock.
Your gusset rows start from here.
Round 1 – Knit across the front two needles (in pattern or in stockinette). On needle #3 k1, ssk and continue across both back needles to the last 3 stitches on the fourth needle, then k2tog, k1. You have decreased 2 stitches in the heel gusset.
Round 2 – Knit around.
Continue these two rows until all needles once again contain 15 stitches each. (Note: if you have narrow feet you may want to decrease one more row until you have 14 stitches on each needle and reduce again to 13 stitches after an inch or two of knitting).
Foot:
Knit until the foot is two inches short of the end of the toes. (When you start the foot you can try on the sock to keep track of the length. There are also charts available telling exactly how many inches to knit before the toe for each shoe size).
Toe:
Attach reinforcement thread
Round 1, Needle 1 – K1, ssk.
Round 1, Needle 2 – Knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
Round 1, Needle 3 – K1, ssk.
Round 1, Needle 4 - Knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
Round 2 – K all sts.
Continue this until there are 3 stitches left on each needle. Cut yarn about 6 inches long and, using tapestry needle, weave yarn end through all stitches and pull tight. Run yarn through to inside and weave in end.
You may also knit until there are 12 stitches remaining and use Kitchener stitch to join the remaining stitches. If you choose to graft the toe in this way you may want to add a Round 3 of knit all stitches to make the toe at least 2 inches long.
Copyright © 2010 by Katherine Myers. All rights reserved. These instructions are intended for your own personal use. You may distribute them freely as long as copyright is intact and attributed to designer. Any questions or comments may be sent to knittykat AT sbcglobal DOT net.
