Cable Socks Pattern #291

All sizes

MATERIAL:
2 balls Sock yarn 3 ply (1 oz. ball) for short socks
3 balls Sock yarn 8 ply (1 oz. ball) for long socks
1 set sock needles each No. 1 and No. 2
1 card Nylon for heel and toe reinforcement

GAUGE: 7½ sts. = 1 inch

Cast on 68 sts. with No. 1 needles, join and work in ribbing K 2, P 2 for 2 inch, for short socks (3 inch, for long socks). Incr. 2 sts. in last round of ribbing. Change to No. 2 needles and pattern. 1st, 2nd and 3rd rounds: * P 1, K 8, P 1, K 4, repeat from * across round. 4th round: * P 1, slip next 4 sts. to an extra needle and hold in front of work, K next 4 sts., K the 4 sts. from extra needle (a cable made), repeat from * across round. 5th to 11th rounds incl.: like 1st round. 12th round: like 4th round. Continue to work this way (cable the K 8 sts. every 8th round) until sock measures 7 inch, for short socks (10 inch, for long socks). Divide the sts. as follows: Slip next 32 sts. (starting with a K 4 rib and ending with a K 4 rib) to one needle for heel and divide the rem. 38 sts. on 2 needles for instep. Work over heel needle only and attach Nylon. 1st row: * Slip 1, K 1, repeat from * across row. 2nd row: P across row. Repeat these 2 rows for 28 rows. Now start to shape heel (right side facing you), Slip 1, K 17, K 2 tog., K 1, turn. Slip 1, P 5, P 2 tog., P J, turn. Slip 1, K 6, K 2 tog., K 1, turn. Slip 1, P 7, P 2 tog., P 1, turn. Slip 1, K 8, K 2 tog., K 1, turn. Slip 1, P 9, P 2 tog., P 1, turn. Continue this way, always working 1 st. more on each row until 18 sts. are left on heel needle. Cut off Nylon. With another needle (first needle), pick up and K 16 sts. along one side of heel. Work across instep sts. in pattern (2nd needle). With an­other needle (3rd needle), pick up and K 16 sts. along other side of heel and K half of heel sts. to same needle. Slip the rem. heel sts. to first needle, end at center of sole. Decr. for instep as follows: 1st round: On first needle K to within 3 sts., K 2 tog., K 1, work across all instep sts. in pattern. On 3rd needle: K 1, slip 1, K 1, and p.s.s.o. the K st. K to end. 2nd round: Work even keeping pattern on instep needle. Repeat these 2 rounds until there are 17 sts. on 1st and 3rd needles. Work even until foot measures from tip of heel 8 inch, for size 10; 8½ inch, for size 10½, or 2 inch, less than desired length when finished. Dis­continue pattern on instep needle and decr. 4 sts. at even intervals across this needle. There are now 68 sts. in round. Work even for 2 rounds. Start to decrease for toe: Attach Nylon. First round: On first needle, K to within 3 sts., K 2 tog., K 1. On 2nd needle, K 1, slip 1, K 1, p.s.s.o. the K St., K across to within 3 sts., K 2 tog., K 1. On 3rd needle, K 1, slip 1, K 1, p.s.s.o. the K st., K to end. 2nd round: K around. Repeat these 2 rounds until 20 sts. are left over. Weave sts. tog. Steam lightly.