Girls' Socks Pattern #306

Sizes 8½ – 11

REQUIREMENTS
YARN: 3-ounces of 3-ply sport yarn or 3-ply fingering or sock yarn.
NEEDLES: 1-pair #1 single-pointed. Two Stitch Holders.

GAUGE: 8 sts to an inch.

Starting at the cuff, cast on (60 sts–size 8½ to 9) (64 sts–size 9½ to 10) (68 sts–size 10½ to 11). Work in ribbing of k 2, p 2, for 2 inches, all sizes. Knit across, decreasing to (56 sts) (60 sts) (64sts). Now work even in stockinette stitch until the sock measures 4 inches in all.

HEEL: Knit 14 sts, leave on the needle; place the next (28 sts) (32 sts) (36 sts) for the instep onto st holder; place the remaining sts onto a 2nd st holder. On the 14 sts, work in stockinette stitch, (always slipping the first st on a purl row) for 24 rows; ending with a purl row.

SHAPING OF HEEL:
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, turn; sl 1, p 6, turn;
k 6, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 7, turn;
k 7, sl 1, k 1, psso, no k 1, (8 sts).
With the same needle pick up and knit 12 sts along side of heel, knit the instep sts from st holder; take all the sts from the needle back onto free st holder. Knit the 14 sts from 2nd st holder, and work in stockinette st for 25 rows, always slipping the first st on a knit row; ending with a knit row.

SHAPING 2ND HALF OF HEEL:
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, turn; sl 1, k 6, turn;
p 6, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 7, turn;
p 7, p 2 tog, no p 1, (8 sts).
With the same needle pick up and purl 12 sts along side of heel; purl sts off the st holder. NEXT ROW: Knit 20 sts, place a marker; knit (28 sts) (32 sts) (36 sts) for instep; place a marker; knit the remaining 20 sts. Purl across next row keeping markers in place.

GUSSET DECREASES: 1st dec: Knit to within 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 (56 sts) (58 sts) (64 sts) remain on the needle. Drop off the markers. Work in stockinette stitch until the sock from the back of the heel measures (6½ ins) (7½ ins) (8½ ins), ending with a knit row. Purl (14 sts) (14 sts) (16 sts); place a marker on the needle; purl (28 sts) (30 sts) (32 sts); place a marker on the needle; purl the remaining sts.

TOE DECREASES: 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 (16 sts) (18 sts) (20 sts). Bind off and sew across toe, having decrease at the sides. Sew sole and back seams. Make the other sock the same way.