Men's Sock Pattern #512

What You Need:
BEEHIVE SCOTCH FINGERING, 3 Ply (1 oz. skeins).

Slack-Length Socks:
Sizes 10-10½ or 11-11½ - 2 skeins.
Size 12-12½ - 3 skeins.

Regulation-Length Socks:
3 skeins for each size.

Royal Society Plastic Sock Needles, 1 set each of No. 1 and No. 2.

GAUGE: 11 rnds make 1 inch.

Sizes 10-10½ (11-11½, 12-12½).

With No. 1 needles cast on 64 sts (68 sts, 72 sts).

Divide sts on 3 needles, join, being careful not to twist sts, and work in ribbing of k 1, p 1, for 2½ inches for Slack-Length Socks, or for 5 inches for Regulation-Length Socks. Change to No. 2 needles and work in ribbing of k 2, p 2, until piece measures in all, 6 inches for Slack-Length Socks, or 12 inches for Regulation-Length Socks.

HEEL … Mark for center back one purl rib (knit rib, knit rib).

Divide the sts so that there are on 1st needle for the heel 30 sts (34 sts, 34 sts) (the marked rib being in center of heel) and the remaining sts divided between the 2nd and 3rd needles for instep. There are on each instep nee­dle 17 sts (17 sts, 19 sts).

Work 1 rnd, ending with the heel needle. Turn and work back and forth over the heel sts only as follows: 1st row: * Slip 1 st, p 1. Repeat from * across. 2nd row: Slip 1 st, knit re­maining sts. Repeat last 2 rows alter­nately for 29 rows, ending with a purl row.

To Shape Heel: Slip 1 st, knit 16 sts (18 sts, 18 sts) k 2 together, k 1, turn.

Slip 1 st, p 5, p 2 together, p 1, turn. Next row: Slip 1 st, k 6, k 2 together, k 1, turn. Following row: Slip 1 st, p 7, p 2 together, p 1, turn. Continue in this manner, always working 1 st more on each row until there remain 18 sts (20 sts, 20 sts).

Knit 1 row. With another needle (1st needle) pick up 16 sts along left side of heel. With 2nd needle work in pattern across all instep sts. With 3rd needle pick up 16 sts along other side of heel, then with same needle, knit across half of the heel sts. Slip the remaining heel sts onto the 1st needle. There are now on each heel needle 25 sts (26 sts, 26 sts).

Decrease for instep as follows: 1st rnd: Knit to last 3 sts on 1st needle, then k 2 together, k 1. Work in pat­tern across 2nd needle. On 3rd nee­dle, k 1, slip 1 st, k 1, pass slipped stitch over knit st, knit to end. 2nd rnd: Knit across 1st needle, work in pattern across 2nd needle, knit across 3rd needle. Repeat the last 2 rnds alternately until there remain 60 sts (62 sts, 64 sts).

Work straight until piece measures from back of heel 7½" (8½", 9½").

Discontinue rib pattern and work straight in stockinette st (knit each rnd) for ½ inch, or until foot meas­ures 2 inches less than desired length when completed. Slip from beginning of 2nd needle onto end of 1st needle 2 sts (1 st, 3 sts).

Slip from end of 2nd needle onto be­ginning of 3rd needle 2 sts (2 sts, 3 sts).

There remain on instep needle 30 sts (31 sts, 32 sts).

To Shape Toe: 1st rnd: Knit to last 3 sts on 1st needle, then k 2 together, k 1. On 2nd needle, slip 1 st, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, knit across to last 3 sts, then k 2 together, k 1. On 3rd needle, slip 1, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, knit to end. 2nd rnd: Knit around. Repeat these 2 rnds alternately until there remain 20 sts (22 sts, 24 sts).

Weave sts together; or bind off, fold and sew.