For men's socks:
SIZES
10 to 11 ½ (length, 7 inches).
MATERIALS
Germantown yarn: 3 ounces white; 1 ounce red.
Knitting needles: 1 set (4) double-pointed needles, No. 2.
GAUGE
7 ½ stitches = 1 inch.
With white yarn, cast on 64 stitches and divide them on 3 needles. Join, being careful not to twist the stitches. Work in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2 for 1 ¼ inches, then purl 8 rounds. Work another 1 ¼ inches in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2 (cuff completed). Work in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until sock measures 7 ½ inches from beginning.
Next round: 1st needle: Knit 16 stitches for heel. 2nd and 3rd needles: Slip next 32 stitches on 2 needles for instep. Slip remaining 16 stitches on first needle for heel.
HEEL
Work in rows across the 32 heel stitches as follows: 1st row: Purl across. 2nd row: * Slip 1, knit 1. Repeat from * across. Repeat last 2 rows for 2 ½ inches, ending with a purl row.
TO SHAPE HEEL
1st row: Knit 23, knit 2 together, turn. 2nd row: Purl 15, purl 2 together, turn. 3rd row: Knit 15, knit 2 together, turn. Repeat last 2 rows until 16 stitches remain, ending with a purl row. Turn. Work in rounds as follows:
Next round: 1st needle: Knit 16, then pick up and knit 16 stitches across one side of heel. 2nd needle: Knit across the 32 stitches on instep. 3rd needle: Pick up and knit 16 stitches across other side of heel and on same needle knit off the first 8 stitches of first needle.
INSTEP
1st round: 1st needle: Knit to within last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. 2nd needle: Knit across. 3rd needle: Knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch, knit to end. 2nd round: Knit around. Repeat last 2 rounds until 64 stitches remain, then work even until foot measures 2 ¼ inches less than desired length from heel.
TO SHAPE TOE
1st round: 1st needle: Knit to within last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. 2nd needle: Knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch, knit to within last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. 3rd needle: Knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knit stitch, knit to end.
2nd round: Knit around. Repeat last 2 rounds until 28 stitches remain. Break off, leaving an 18 inch end. Join stitches with Kitchener Stitch.
CABLE TRIMMING
With red and 2 needles, work a cable strip as follows:
Cast on 16 stitches. 1st row: Knit across. 2nd row: Knit 2, purl 12, knit 2. Repeat last 2 rows once. 5th row: Knit 2, slip next 3 stitches on a toothpick and leave at back of work. Knit next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches off toothpick; slip next 3 stitches on a toothpick and leave at front of work, knit next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches off toothpick; knit 2. 6th row: Repeat 2nd row. Repeat these 6 rows until strip is long enough to fit loosely around stockinette stitch band of cuff. Bind off. Sew ends of strip together and slipstitch to cuff over stockinette stitch band, allowing for stretching.
EMBROIDERED TRIMMING
For embroidered socks follow directions for Man's Ski Socks with Cabled Cuffs. Substitute a few yards of red and of blue for 1 ounce of red.
When socks are completed, using 2 strands of red in a tapestry needle, embroider herringbone stitch (see close-up photograph) over stockinette stitch band of cuff. With 2 strands of blue, work another row of herringbone stitch going over, then under, previous stitches.
For women's socks:
SIZES
Teen sizes (length, 7 inches; foot, 9-9 ½-10 inches).
MATERIALS
Three-ply fingering yarn: 2 ounces white, 1 ounce red. Knitting needles: 1 set (4) double-pointed needles No. 2.
GAUGE
8 ½ stitches = 1 inch.
Follow directions for the men's socks.
Other great patterns from All-American Sock Book, Volume 8:
Knitting Patterns
Man's Striped Socks
Man's Shaded Socks
Man's Little Fish Socks
Men's and Boys' Ski Socks with Cross-Bands
Man's Argyle Socks
Man's Cabled Socks with Squares
Men's and Boys' Fair Isle Sport Socks
Man's Gray Socks with Black and White
Man's Fair Isle Socks
Man's Two-color Cable Socks
Man's Short Cable Socks
Men's and Women's Ski Socks with Cabled Cuffs
Big Girl's Lace-Rib Socks
Big Girl's High Socks
Youngster's All-Over Design Socks
Youngster's Fair Isle Socks
Child's Striped Socks
Little Girl's Lacy Socks