Simplified multi-color knitting with color charts. Stitch sequences numbered. Each row knitted across and purled back in the same colors.
Knit right and left socks, if you wish. Sizes 10 to 13.
IMPORTANT
Knit across and purl back each row before starting next row. Use size NUMBER ONE needles. Knitting tension should be tight enough to produce about 10 stitches per inch. If you do not obtain this gauge, then change to larger or smaller needles as your particular knitting tension requires. The size needle does not matter as long as the stitch gauge attained is correct. Note: 10 stitches per inch means 'as knit', without allowance for blocking. Socks then block to about 9 stitches per inch on usual size dryers, and will cling snugly to the average size leg when worn. For a very small size leg (such as 7 inches around above ankle) you may wish to knit to a tighter tension gauge than mentioned above, using the smallest possible needles. Use your own choice of yarn colors.
DIRECTIONS
(Directions herein are complete, including recommended methods for heel and toe. Free detailed instructions for beginners on how to knit, purl, etc., should be obtainable from the shop where yarn is purchased.)
MATERIALS—(Note Different brands of yarn vary in yardage. The following yarn quantities for an average size pair of socks, are approximate only.) 2 oz. basic color (blue), ⅛ oz. white, 8 yds. beige, 5 yds. red, 5 yds. brown. It is recommended that plain white yarn be used for the snow rather than Angora, for better clarity of the design. Socks illustrated are 7 inches long above top of heel, including 2 inches of ribbing. If longer or shorter socks are desired, change length of ribbing or plain rows at top. Use size No. One sock needles, double pointed, and regular 3-ply sock yarn.
IMPORTANT—Use needles and yarn in these accurate sizes in order to achieve proper size sock per this pattern. Knitting tension should produce an average gauge of about 10 stitches per inch. Note: It is well to carry your yarn in small quantities of each color, on bobbins which dangle clear of your work, avoiding entanglement. Thus beginning on the 6th row, 2 bobbins of blue and one of red are required for the 3 color groups: blue, red (1 stitch), blue. However for the small areas of red, brown and beige, the few stitches to be accommodated may be knit from strands of yarn 12 to 15 inches long, simply dangling free, rather than bothering to wind bobbins. The white areas will be best handled by using 2 bobbins. Where a single stitch interrupts a color sequence, as in the skiis and ski poles, simply carry the background color across the interrupting stitch. This practice of carrying one color yarn across the wrong side of another color to reach stitches farther along the row, may be utilized elsewhere on the pattern to save use of extra bobbins or strands. However do not attempt to thus carry one color across more than 2 stitches of another color unless the yarn carried is twisted properly with the yarn being worked, otherwise a loose loop is formed on inside of sock. If not twisted properly the stitches may be distorted and the clarity of the design may be spoiled. It is recommended that free use be made of additional bobbins and strands as necessary, in encountering new color groups as pattern progresses. You will need at least 3 bobbins of background color, 2 bobbins of white, and various short strands of the red, beige and brown.
LEG PATTERN—This part of sock is knitted in a flat piece, eventually to be folded and sewed together up the back. First cast on 72 stitches of basic color and knit 2, purl 2 for ribbing for 2 inches. Knit and purl back first 5 rows plain, then knit 6th row as shown in graph, that is, 49 blue, 1 red, 22 blue. These numbers are indicated on graph to save counting squares. In changing colors always twist yarns around each other once to avoid leaving a hole. Now turn and purl back ON THIS SAME ROW using the same colors in the same places. Now knit row No. 7 in the indicated color sequence, 22 blue, 4 brown … etc., and purl back as before. Continue knitting the successive rows in this manner using the color sequences indicated on the graph. After row No. 36 the work separates into instep and heel.
INSTEP—Divide the 72 stitches, taking 18 off each end, place on separate needles or stitch holders to work later (will be the heel). Now continue pattern down the instep of the sock using only the 36 center stitches. First row is 4 blue, 28 white … etc. Continue for 6 rows to end of pattern. Now discontinue work on this part of sock and knit the heel.
HEEL—(Reinforced type) Place the 2 groups of 18 stitches, previously divided from the instep pattern, on one needle. This folds the main pattern, or leg of the sock, into position for sewing up the back later. Now slip 1, knit 1 in sequence for the first row, then purl back. Continue thus in successive rows for 2 inches. On the last purl row, purl 20 stitches, then purl 2 together, purl 1 and turn work. Then:
Knit back 6, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn.
Purl back 7, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn.
Knit back 8, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn.
Purl back 9, … etc.
Knit back 10, … etc.
… Etc.
Continue in this manner, advancing the number of stitches worked at each end in this order, and thus making rounded bottom of heel, until all stitches are used, work then being all on one needle across bottom of heel. Now pick up stitches along the forward edges of the heel thus knitted, and add to the work in progress. About 21 or 22 stitches should be picked up on each side of the 2-inch long heel, and all of these heel stitches should be evenly divided on 2 needles. Now proceed to knit a row, purl a row, alternately, and decrease 1 stitch on each side of the foot ON EACH KNIT ROW ONLY, to form ankle gusset. When work evens up with instep pattern previously completed, join all work together on 3 needles, keeping the 36 instep stitches on the one needle, other stitches evenly divided on the 2 underfoot needles. Now continue with plain knitting round and round, and also continue to decrease the one stitch on each side of the foot ON EVERY OTHER ROW (on underfoot needles) until only 18 stitches remain on each underfoot needle. Then continue without decreasing until 2½ inches from desired length of foot.
TOE—Now start decreasing to shape toe, as follows: Decrease 4 stitches on the next row, these being the end stitches on the instep needle, and the stitches next to these, one on each under-foot needle. Knit 4 rows plain then 1 row decreasing 4 stitches as before, 3 rows plain, 1 decreasing, 3 plain, 1 dec., 2 plain, 1 dec., 2 plain, 1 dec., 1 plain, 1 dec., then decrease every row until only 16 stitches remain (8 on instep needle and 4 on each underfoot needle.) Weave toe as follows: Place yarn in a tapestry needle and, with yarn coming from back of knitting needle, put it in first stitch of front (instep) needle as if to knit and slip it off. Then put it in the next stitch of front needle as if to purl and leave it on. Go to back (underfoot) needle and insert as if to purl and take it off, then to next stitch of back needle as if to knit and leave it on. This designation may assist:
Front needle K—off P—on
Back needle P—off K—on
Repeat thus to the end of the 8 stitches on each needle.
FINISH—Sew sock up the back, using corresponding color yarn and tapestry needle. Sew foot of sock up each side where instep pattern was knitted separately from lower foot in that area. Finish inside of sock by weaving any thread ends into nearby seams, trimming ends, etc. Block socks on dryers of proper size.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS
Each square equals one stitch, knitted and/or purled. Sequences of stitches in particular colors to form a pattern are shown in color and by numbers on the specific pattern graphs. This saves counting squares. The number of rows and number of stitches in each, depend on the symmetry of the pattern design, also on the approximate size of sock desired in order to fit the wearer's leg. Size and dimensions are indicated in each particular pattern.
Each row is normally knitted and purled back in the same colors. For certain patterns which are easily repeated, the knitter may, in purling back, go to the next row. In this case the indicated pattern will be reduced in size by one-half, and the entire pattern must then be repeated in order to achieve the length indicated.
Heel, bottom of foot, and toe are knitted in the manner of plain socks. In certain patterns where the instep is a plain color, and the same color as the foot, this part of the sock may be knitted round and round as in plain socks.
