Women's Sock Pattern No. 533 | Sizes 8½ to 11

What You Need:

BEEHIVE REAL SHETLAND WOOL, 2 Ply (1 oz. skeins).

Sizes 8½-9 or 9½-10 – 2 skeins.

Size 10½-11 – 3 skeins.

Royal Society Plastic Sock Needles, 1 set each No. 1 and No. 3.

GAUGE: 5½ sts make 1 inch; 9 rows make 1 inch.

Pattern Stitch (a multiple of 2 sts) … Using only 2 of the No. 3 needles (as a pair), work as follows: 1st row: K 1, * yarn over, k 2 together. Repeat from * across ending with k 2 to­gether, k 1. 2nd row: Purl across. 3rd row: K 1, * k 2 together, yarn over. Repeat from * across ending with k 2 together, yarn over, k 1. 4th row: Purl across. Repeat these 4 rows for pattern.

Sizes 8½-9 (9½-10, 10½-11).

With No. 1 needles cast on 51 sts (54 sts, 57 sts).

Do not join but, using only 2 needles (as a pair), work as follows: 1st row: * K 1, p 2. Repeat from * across. 2nd row: * K 2, p 1. Repeat from * across. Repeat these 2 rows alternately for 2 inches ending with the 1st row. Change to No. 3 needles. Next row: Purl across decreasing evenly across to
38 sts (40 sts, 42 sts).

Work in Pattern Stitch until piece measures 4 inches in all ending with 4th row of pattern.

HEEL … Knit across 9 sts (10 sts, 10 sts) turn and purl across increasing 2 sts evenly across. Work back and forth in rows of stockinette st (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) over these 11 sts (12 sts, 12 sts) for 18 rows ending with a purl row.

To turn this half of heel: * Knit 4 sts (5 sts, 5 sts) then slip 1 st, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, turn. Slip 1 st, purl 4 sts (5 sts, 5 sts) turn. Repeat from * until all sts are worked in and there are on needle 5 sts (6 sts, 6 sts) (ending with a knit row).

Pick up 14 sts along side of heel, then slip the next 20 sts (20 sts, 22 sts) of instep on same needle.

Attach yarn for other half of heel and knit across remaining 9 sts (10 sts, 10 sts). Turn and purl across increasing 2 sts evenly across. Work back and forth in stockinette st over these 11 sts (12 sts, 12 sts) for 17 rows ending with a knit row.

To turn this half of heel: * Purl 4 sts (5 sts, 5 sts) p 2 together, turn. Slip 1 st, knit 4 sts (5 sts, 5 sts) turn. Repeat from * until all sts are worked in and there are on needle 5 sts (6 sts, 6 sts) (ending with a purl row). Break yarn.

Slip back onto this needle the 20 sts (20 sts, 22 sts) of instep. Turn and work as for 1st row of pattern across instep sts. Pick up 14 sts along side of heel. Then knit last 5 sts (6 sts, 6 sts).

There are on needle 58 sts (60 sts, 62 sts).

Following row: Purl 19 sts (20 sts, 20 sts). Insert a marker on needle, purl across next 20 sts (20 sts, 22 sts) insert another marker on needle, purl 19 sts (20 sts, 20 sts)

To Shape Instep: Knit across to 2 sts before marker, then k 2 together, slip marker, work in pattern across to other marker, slip marker, slip 1 st, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, knit to end of row. 2nd row: Purl across, slipping markers. Repeat these 2 rows alternately until there remain 42 sts (44 sts, 46 sts).

Work in pattern with sts at outside of markers in stockinette st until piece measures from back of heel ending with a purl row 6" (7", 8").

Divide sts on 3 needles, having the sts between markers (for instep) on one (2nd) needle. Divide remaining sts on 2 needles for sole (1st and 3rd needles). Join. Knit across 1st needle, increase 4 sts evenly across 2nd nee­dle, knit across 3rd needle. Work in rnds of stockinette st (knit each rnd) for ½ inch.

To Shape Toe: On sizes 8½-9 and 10½-11 only, slip 1 st from end of 2nd needle onto beginning of 3rd needle. On all sizes, work as follows: 1st rnd: Starting at center of sole, knit to 2 sts from end of 1st needle, then k 2 together. On 2nd needle, slip 1 st, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, knit across to last 2 sts, then k 2 together. On 3rd needle, slip 1 st, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, knit to end. 2nd rnd: Knit around. Repeat these 2 rnds alternately until there remain 18 sts (20 sts, 22 sts).

Weave sts together; or bind off, fold and sew. Sew back seam. Fold half of ribbing in on wrong side and sew down loosely.