Men's Sock Pattern No. 522 | Sizes 10 to 12½

What You Need:
BEEHIVE REAL SHETLAND WOOL, 2 Ply (1 oz. skeins).

3 skeins of main color and 1 skein of contrasting color for each size.

Royal Society Plastic Sock Needles No. 2.

GAUGE: 8 sts make 1 inch: 10 rows make 1 inch.

Sizes 10-10½ (11-11½, 12-12½)

With main color, cast on 68 sts very loosely. Using only 2 needles (as a pair), work back and forth in ribbing of k 2, p 2, for 5 inches, decreasing 1 st at end of last row. Take eight 2-yard strands of contrasting color. Note: Colors will be referred to as follows: Main color—M, Contrasting color—C. Always twist yarns around each other when changing colors to prevent making a hole, and be care­ful not to draw work up too tightly when carrying yarn on wrong side. 1st row: K 4 M, * attach a strand of C, k 3 C, k 3 M, attach another strand of C, k 2 C, k 1 M, k 1 C, k 1 M, k 2 C, k 3 M. Repeat from * across, ending with k 2 M. 2nd row: P 3 M, * 1 C, 3 M, 1 C, 5 M, 1 C, 5 M. Re­peat from * across. 3rd row: K 3 M, * 5 C, 3 M. Repeat from * across. 4th row: P 5 M, * 1 C, 5 M, 1 C, 3 M, 1 C, 5 M. Repeat from * across, end­ing with 3 M. 5th row: K 2 M, * 2 C, 1 M, 1 C, 1 M, 2 C, 3 M, 3 C, 3 M. Repeat from * across, ending with 4 M. 6th row: Same as 4th row. 7th row: Same as 3rd row. 8th row: Same as 2nd row. Repeat these 8 rows for pattern until piece measures in all, ending with a purl row, 10½" (11", 11½").

HEEL … Break off first 2 strands of C and work back and forth in rows of stockinette st with M over the first 17 sts for one-half of heel for 24 rows, ending with a purl row. To turn this half of heel, * k 6, then slip 1 st, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, turn. Slip 1 st, p 6, turn. Repeat from * until all sts are worked in and 7 sts remain on needle, ending with a knit row. With M pick up 14 sts along side of heel, then slip next 33 instep sts onto same needle. Attach a 2nd ball of M for other half of heel and work last 17 sts in stockinette st with M for 23 rows, ending with a knit row. To turn this half of heel * p 6, p 2 to­gether, turn. Slip 1 st, k 6, turn. Re­peat from * until all sts are worked in and 7 sts remain, ending with a purl row. Break yarn. Slip 33 instep sts back onto this needle, turn and work in pattern across instep sts, pick up 14 sts along side of heel, then knit last 7 sts with M. There are 75 sts on needle. Following row: P 21, in­sert a marker on needle, work in pat­tern across 33 sts, insert another marker on needle, p 21.

To Shape Instep: With M knit across to 2 sts before marker, then k 2 to­gether, slip marker, work in pattern across 33 sts, slip marker, with M slip 1 st, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, knit to end of row. 2nd row: Purl across to marker with M, slip marker, purl in pattern across 33 sts, slip marker, with M purl to end of row. Repeat these 2 rows alternately until 63 sts remain. Work in pattern with sts at outside of markers in M until piece measures from back of heel 7½" (8½", 9½") or 2½ inches less than desired size when completed.

Break off all strands of C. Divide sts on 3 needles, having the center 31 sts of instep on one (2nd) needle and dividing remaining sts on 2 needles for sole (1st and 3rd needles). Join and work around in stockinette st (knit each rnd) for ½ inch.

To Shape Toe: 1st rnd: Starting at center of sole, knit to 3 sts from end of 1st needle, then k 2 together, k 1. On 2nd needle, k 1, slip 1, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, knit across to last 3 sts, then k 2 together, k 1. On 3rd needle, k 1, slip 1, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, knit to end. 2nd rnd: Knit around. Repeat these 2 rnds alternately until 23 sts remain.

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