Skating Queen Pattern #310

Sizes 8½ to 10

REQUIREMENTS
YARN: 4-ounces of White Knitting Worsted. 1-ounce of Blue Knitting Worsted.
NEEDLES: 1-pair of each #3 and #6 single-pointed.
Two Stitch Holders.

GAUGE: 6 sts to an inch.

With the #6 needles and using the blue yarn, cast on 48 (52) sts, purl 1 row. Tie in white yarn and work in the following pattern:
1st row: K 2 white, k 2 blue, repeat across, end with k 2 blue.
2nd row: P 2 blue, p 2 white, repeat across, end with p 2 white.
3rd row: K 2 blue, k 2 white, repeat across, end with k 2 white.
4th row: P 2 white, p 2 blue, repeat across end with p 2 blue.
Repeat these 4 rows, twice more. Knit across with blue. Next row: With the blue knit across increasing 2 sts. 50 (54) sts on the needle. Fasten off the blue and with the white, finish the remainder of the sock. Change to #3 needles. Work in ribbing of k 2, p 2 for 5 inches from the cuff.

HEEL: Knit 12 sts, leave on the needle; place the next 26 (30 sts), for the instep onto a st holder, place remaining 12 sts onto a 2nd st holder. Work on the 12 sts in stockinette stitch for 14 (16) rows; always slipping the first st on a purl row, 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, no k 1, (7 sts).
With the same needle pick up and knit 9 (10) sts, along side of heel, rib the sts of the instep onto the needle; place all these sts from the needle onto a free st holder. Knit the 12 sts off st holder, and work in stockinette stitch for 15 (17) rows, always slipping the first st on a knit row, ending with a knit row.

SHAPING 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, no p 1, (7 sts).
With the same needle pick up and purl 9 (10 sts), along side of heel; place a marker on the needle; work the 26 (30) sts, of the instep onto the needle; place a marker on the needle; purl the remaining 16 (17) sts.

GUSSET DECREASES: Knit to within 3 sts of first marker, k 2 tog, k 1; slip marker; rib across to 2nd marker; slip marker; k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to end of row. 2nd row: Purl across to marker; slip marker; rib across to 2nd marker; slip marker; purl to end of row. Repeat these last 2 rows until you have 48 (52) sts on the needle. Drop off the markers. Keep 11 sts at each end of the work in stockinette stitch and the center sts in ribbing, work until the sock measures 6 (7) inches from the back of the heel. With the wrong side of the work facing you, purl 12 (13) sts; place a marker on the needle; purl 24 (26) sts; place a marker on the needle; purl the remaining 12 (13) 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 12 sts remain on the needle. Bind off, fold so that the decreases come at sides. Sew across toe. Sew sole and back seams. Make the other sock the some way.