Men's Heavy Socks Pattern #308

Sizes: Small, Medium, Large

REQUIREMENTS
YARN: 6-ounces of 4-ply Knitting Worsted, for all sizes.
NEEDLES: 1-pair each #3 and #5 single-pointed.
Two Stitch Holders.

GAUGE: 5½ sts to an inch.

Starting at the cuff, using the #3 needles cast on 54 sts for all sizes. Work in ribbing of k 1, p 1, for 3½ inches. Change to the #5 needles and knit across, decreasing to: (44 sts–small size) (46 sts–medium size) (48 sts–large size). Now work in stockinette stitch until the piece measures 7 inches in all. 1st dec: K 1, k 2 tog, knit to within 3 sts of end of row, k 2, tog, k 1. Work an inch even. 2nd dec: Make a decrease as before, (40 sts) (42 sts) (44sts). Work even until sock measures 11 inches in all or desired length.

HEEL: Knit 10 sts, leave on the needle; place the next (20 sts) (22 sts) (24 sts), onto a st holder for instep; place the remaining 10 sts onto a 2nd st holder. On the sts that are on the needle, work in stockinette stitch, (always slipping the first st on purl row), for (20 rows) (22 rows) (24 rows); ending with a purl row.

SHAPING OF HEEL:
K 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 2 turn;
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, (6 sts).
With the same needle pick up and knit (11 sts) (12 sts) (13 sts) along side of heel; knit across the sts of instep from the st holder; now take all these sts from the needle, back onto the free st holder. Knit the 10 sts from st holder onto the needle. Work in stockinette stitch (always slipping the first st on a knit row), for (21 rows) (23 rows) (25 rows); ending with a knit row.

SHAPING 2ND HALF OF HEEL:
P 1, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 2, turn;
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, (6 sts).
With the same needle, pick up and purl (11 sts) (12 sts) (13 sts), along side of heel. Place a marker on the needle; purl (20 sts) (22 sts) (24 sts) of instep onto the needle; place a marker, purl remaining sts.

GUSSET DECREASES: 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 (40 sts) (42 sts) (44 sts), remain on the needle. Drop off markers. Work in stockinette stitch until the sock measures (8½ ins) (9½ ins) (10½ ins) from the back of the heel, ending with a knit row.
Purl (10 sts) (10 sts) (11 sts); place a marker on the needle; purl (20 sts) (22 sts) (22 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 on the needle (12 sts) (14 sts) (16 sts). Bind off, fold so that the decreases are at the side. Sew across toe, then the sole and back seams. Make the other sock the same way.