The body of the sock is a simple technique which creates a nice geometric pattern. The cuff and heel are a novel design which adds to the interest. I modified the toe to end “in pattern”. The hardest part of these socks was picking the color!

Summary

• I’m using the German Twisted Cast on for these socks.

• I modified how the Right Cross stitch is done: For the 2 stitches used in this stitch, Knit the second stitch (leftmost stitch), leaving the original stitch on the left needle. Knit the first stitch, slip both original stitches off the left needle. The two stitches just knit will be on the right needle.

• The heel starts after the decrease row. all of the decreases are on one side of the sock. This is the side where the heel is started. Do not space the decreases evenly around the leg. The decreases are only on one side of the leg. The heel flap will be knit on the decrease side of the leg. When the time comes for picking up stitches, and knitting the instep in pattern, it will work out, since you have 30 stitches on the instep.

• My row gauge is 21 rounds/ 2”. Pattern calls for 27 rounds / 2”. The sock’s toe has 4 rounds, followed by 6 repeats of the k row, dec row pair plus dec row 6 more times for 4 + 12 + 6 or 22 rows. The pattern calls for stopping 2” before start of toe. This doesn’t make sense given the gauge specified in the pattern. However, a 2” toe works for my gauge.

• I modified the toe as follows: Using color A, knit rows 5 & 6 from the pattern (depending on where you end you may need to knit rows 1 & 2 instead). Continue with the toe as written or to fit. I also modified the toe a little & knit rows as follows: 5, 6, K, K, K, K, K D, K D, K D, K D, K D, K D, D, D, D, D, D.

Journal

2013-02-15: Started left sock. Cast on 64 stitches using the German twisted cast on. Completed cuff and 3 pattern repeats.

2013-02-16: Completed left leg. I stopped at the 8th repeat since my foot is smaller.

2013-03-02: Completed right cuff.

2013-03-03: Complete 4 pattern repeats, right leg.

2013-03-04: Complete right leg, heel flap & heel turn. Complete right gusset. I’m stopping at 32 stitches on the sole. I’l decrease the last 2 stitches when I get closer to the toe.

2013-03-05: Complete left heel flap, heel turn & gusset. Complete one pattern repeat on foot.

2013-03-08: Completed Left Sock.

2013-03-08: Completed right sock. I realized what was bothering me about the left sock; the toe ends with a straight line and not with the diamond pattern. So I started the right toe with 2 slip stitch rows in pattern before starting the 4 stockinette rows (I needed the extra toe room anyway).

Now I need to rip out the left sock toe! Bummer!

Ripped and reknit toe. Kitchenered toe, wove in ends. Socks are blocking now.

Watch Out For

• when you get to the foot, you are combining stockinette on the sole with a slip stitch pattern on the instep. The slip stitches will shorten the instep relative to the sole. This is not a huge difference, but it will affect fitting of the toe.

Next Time

• While I can get the sock over my ankle, it is a bit tight. Next time I would reduce the number of decreases on the heel as follows: 1) if i maintain the cable pattern, reduce to 34 stitches (8 * 4) + 2, or 2) don’t decrease and do a more standard heel pattern. Since the the toe starts with 4 plain rows, any necessary decreases can be handled on the bottom of the toe (or for that matter, anywhere along the foot).