Mens Argyle Socks Pattern #612

Size: 10-12

REQUIREMENTS:
YARN: 3-ounces of Tan 3-ply Fingering; ½-ounce each of Yellow & Red 3-ply Fingering
NEEDLES: 1-pr single pointed

GAUGE: 9½ sts to an inch.

   STARTING AT THE CUFF: With the tan yarn, cast on 80 sts and work in ribbing of k 1, p 1, for 3½-inches. NEXT ROW: Knit 38 sts, knit 2 sts together. Place the remaining sts (40) onto a st holder. On the sts that are on the needle, turn. Purl across row. Decrease row: Knit across to within the last 2 sts, knit 2 together; turn. Slip first st, purl remainder of row. Repeat these last two rows until all sts are decreased. Break yarn. Place the sts from stitch holder back onto the needle; tie tan yarn in at the beginning of a knit row. 1st decrease row: Knit 2 sts together, knit to end of row; turn. Purl across row. Repeat these last 2 rows until all sts are decreased. Break yarn.
   CENTER DIAMOND: Using the yellow; pick up 2 sts on the right side of the work in space between decreases; turn. Slip 1 st, p 1, insert needle from right side of work, (always picking up sts through both loops between each knot made by decrease); pick up 1 st on edge of tan, turn. Slip 1 st, k 2, pick up a st on corresponding row of tan, turn. Continue in this manner picking up a stitch at end of each row, until there are 20 sts on the needle; turn. Purl across next row. Diamond decreases: * knit 2 sts together; knit to within last 2 sts, knit 2 together. Purl across next row. * Repeat between *'s until all sts are decreased. Break yarn.
   2ND DIAMOND: Using the red; pick up 2 sts between tan point and yellow diamond and work a diamond as before.
   3RD DIAMOND: Using the yellow; work another diamond between tan point and red diamond.
   4TH DIAMOND: Using the red; pick up sts between tan and yellow diamond, until you have 20 sts on the needle; place these sts onto a st holder, for one half of the heel. Work diamonds on the other side of leg to correspond, leaving 20 sts on a 2nd st holder for heel part.
   LARGE CENTER: Using the tan; pick up 2 sts in space between the two red diamonds. Continue to pick up the sts on both sides of the red and then yellow diamonds until all sts are picked up, (there should be 40 sts). Purl back, do not break the yarn; place these 40 sts onto a st holder for instep. Now purl the 20 sts off first st holder onto the needle. Work on these sts as follows: 1st row: Knit across row, turn. 2nd row: * Slip 1, p 1, repeat from * across row. Repeat these last 2 rows for 36 rows, ending with a purl row.
   SHAPING OF HEEL: K 2, slip 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; slip 1, p 3, turn; k 3, slip 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; slip 1, p 4, turn; k 4, slip 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; slip 1, p 5, turn; k 5, slip 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; slip 1, p 6, turn; k 6, slip 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; slip 1, p 7, turn; k 7, slip 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; slip 1, p 8, turn; k 8, slip 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; slip 1, p 9, turn; k 9, slip 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; slip 1, p 10, turn; k 10, slip 1, k 1, psso, (11 sts). With the same needle, pick up and knit 18 sts along side of heel; knit across the 40 sts of instep. Place all sts from the needle onto a free st holder. Knit across the 20 sts of 2nd heel st holder. Work 37 rows as on the other side, ending with a knit row.
   SHAPING OF HEEL: P 2 sts, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; slip 1, k 3, turn; p 3 sts, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; slip 1, k 4, turn; p 4 sts, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; slip 1, k 5, turn; p 5 sts, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; slip 1, k 6, turn; p 6 sts, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; slip 1, k 7, turn; p 7 sts, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; slip 1, k 8, turn; p 8 sts, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; slip 1, k 9, turn; p 9 sts, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; slip 1, k 10, turn; p 10 sts, p 2 tog, (11 sts). With the same needle pick up and purl 18 sts along side of heel; place the marker on the needle, purl the center 40 sts for instep; place a 2nd marker on needle; purl the remaining 29 sts.
   GUSSET DECREASES: Knit to within 3 sts of marker, k 2 tog, k 1; slip marker; knit 40 sts; slip marker; k 1, slip 1, k 1, psso, knit to end of row. 2nd row: Purl across row, keeping markers in place. Repeat these last 2 rows until 76 sts remain on the needle. Drop off markers. Work even in stockinette stitch until the piece measures 8½-inches from the back of heel, or 2-inches less than the size you need, ending with a knit row. Purl 19 sts; place a marker on the needle; purl 38 sts; place a 2nd marker on needle; purl the remaining 19 sts.
   TOE DECREASES: Knit to within the 3 sts of first marker, knit 2 tog, k 1; move marker; k 1, slip 1, k 1, psso, knit to within 3 sts of 2nd marker, k 2 tog, k 1; move marker; k 1, slip 1, k 1, psso, knit to end of row. 2nd row: Purl across row. Repeat these last 2 rows until 24 sts remain on the needle. Bind off and sew across toe, having decreases at sides. Sew sole and back seams. Make the other sock the same way.