Children's Striped Socks Pattern #302

Sizes 5½ – 6½ – 7½

REQUIREMENTS
YARN: 2-ounces of Sport Yarn Navy Blue for back ground, main color; ½ ounce each of white and maroon for contrast.
NEEDLES: 1-pair #1 single pointed.
Two Stitch Holders.

GAUGE: 8½ sts to an inch.

Starting at the cuff, with the main color, cast on (48 sts–size 5½) (52 sts–size 6½) (56 sts–size 7½). Work in ribbing of k 1, p 1, for 1¾ inches. On the last row decrease to (40 sts) (44 sts) (48 sts).

STRIPE PATTERN:
K 1 row, p 1 row, for 8 rows, with the main color,
k 1 row, p 1 row, with the white,
k 1 row, p 1 row, with maroon,
k 1 row, p 1 row, with white.
Repeat these 14 rows throughout the sock until the toe. Tie in the contrasting colors and work in the stripe pattern, until the sock measures 4½ inches in all, or length desired, ending with 2nd row of navy. Break off the contrasting colors.

HEEL: (For all sizes) Knit 11 sts, leave on the needle; place the next (18 sts) (22 sts) (26 sts) onto st holder for the instep; place the remaining sts onto a 2nd st holder. On the sts that are on the needle, work in stockinette stitch, always slipping the first st on a purl row for 18 rows, ending with a purl row.

SHAPING:
K 2, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 3, turn;
k 3, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 4, turn;
k 4, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 5, turn;
k 5, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, (7 sts).
With the same needle pick up and knit 11 sts along side of heel, knit the sts off instep st holder, place all these sts back onto the free st holder, knit the 11 sts off 2nd st holder. Work on these sts in stockinette stitch, always slipping the first st on a knit row, for 19 rows, ending with a knit row.

SHAPING:
p 2, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 3, turn;
p 3, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 4, turn;
p 4, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 5, turn;
p 5, p 2 tog, p 1, (7 sts).
With the same needle, pick up and purl 11 sts along side of heel; place a marker on the needle; purl the (18 sts) (22 sts) (26 sts) of the instep; place a marker on the needle; purl the remaining sts.

GUSSET DECREASE: (Note–After the 2nd decrease, tie in contrasting colors and continue with the stripe pattern as before). 1st Decrease: Knit to within the 3 sts of first marker, k 2 tog, k 1; slip marker; knit across instep sts; slip marker; k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to end of row. NEXT ROW: Purl across, keeping markers in place. Repeat these last 2 rows until you have on the needle (40 sts) (44 sts) (48 sts). Drop off markers. Now work in the stripe pattern until the sock measures from the back of the heel; (4½-ins.) (4¾-ins.) (5½-ins). Break off the contrasting colors. With the wrong side of the work facing you, purl (10 sts) (11 sts) (12 sts); place a marker on the needle; purl (20 sts) (22 sts) (24 sts); place a marker on the needle; purl the remaining sts.

TOE DECREASES: 1 dec: Knit to within 3 sts of first marker, k 2 tog, k 1; slip marker; k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to within 3 sts of 2nd marker, k 2 tog, k 1; slip marker; k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to end of row. NEXT ROW: Purl across, keeping markers in place. Repeat these last 2 rows until there remain on the needle (16 sts) (16 sts) (20 sts). Bind off and sew across toe, having decreases at the side. Sew sole and back seams. Make the other sock the same way.