Argyle Socks Pattern #373

Sizes 10 to 12½

MATERIALS:
CHADWICK'S RED HEART SHETLAND FLOSS, 2 balls (1 oz. balls) of Wood Brown and 1 ball each of Rust, Paddy Green and Yellow for any size.
4 double-pointed steel needles No. 14.

The colors will be referred to as follows:
Wood Brown - M
Rust - B
Paddy Green - A
Yellow - C
Wind A and B into 2 balls; take 4 long strands of C (about 2 yds. each).

GAUGE: 9 sts make 1"; 12 rows make 1".

With M cast on 72 sts very loosely (for all sizes). Work in ribbing of k 2, p 2 tightly for 4½". Dec. 1 st at both ends of next row. Start diamonds as follows: 1st row: Knit 2A - 15M - 2C - 15M - 2B - (attach 2nd ball of M here) 15M - 2C - 15M - 2A. 2nd row: Purl back with same colors. Always twist yarns around each other once when changing colors, to prevent making a hole. 3rd row: Knit 3A - 13M - 1C - 2M - 1C - 13M - 4B - 13M - 1C - 2M - 1C - 13M - 3A. 4th and all even rows: Purl back with same colors. 5th row: Knit 4A - 11M - 1C - 4M - 1C - 11M - 6B - 11M - 1C - 4M - 1C - 11M - 4A. Continue in this way, knitting 1 more st on each half of A half diamonds and one more st on each side of the B diamond, moving the C diagonals 1 st toward outside and 1 st toward the center every knit row, until (about 1¼" below ribbing) sts are on needle as follows: 9A - 1M - 1C - 14M - 1C - 1M - 16B - 1M - 1C - 14M - 1C - 1M - 9A.
   Purl back and, for 1st cross of diagonals with diamonds, continue as follows: Knit 9A - 1C - 16M - 1C - 16B - 1C - 16M - 1C - 9A. Purl back. Next row: Knit 8A - 1C - 2A - 14M - 2B - 1C - 14B - 1C - 2B - 14M - 2A - 1C - 8A. Purl back.
   Continue in pattern to about 2½" below ribbing, when sts are on needle as follows: 2A - 1C - 14A - 2M - 14B - 1C - 2B - 1C - 14B - 2M - 14A - 1C - 2A. Purl back. Next row: 1A - 1C - 16A - 16B - 2C - 16B - 16A - 1C - 1A. Purl back. Following row: 2A - 1C - 14A - 2M - 14B - 1C - 2B - 1C - 14B - 2M - 14A - 1C - 2A.
   Continue in pattern until sts are on needle as follows: 9A - 1C - 16M - 1C - 16B - 1C - 16M - 1C - 9A. Purl back. Next row: 8A - 2M - 1C - 14M - 1C - 2M - 14B - 2M - 1C - 14M - 1C - 2M - 8A. Purl back. Following row: 7A - 4M - 1C - 12M - 1C - 4M - 12B - 4M - 1C - 12M - 1C - 4M - 7A. Purl back.
   Continue in pattern to just before the end of A and B diamonds, when sts are on needle as follows: 3A - 12M - 1C - 4M - 1C - 12M - 4B - 12M - 1C - 4M - 1C - 12M - 3A. Purl back. Next row; 2A - 14M - 1C - 2M - 1C - 14M - 2B - 14M - 1C - 2M - 1C - 14M - 2A. Purl back. Break off A and B balls. Tie on B at each end, and A at center of next row. Next row: 2B - 15M - 2C - 15M - 2A - 15M - 2C - 15M - 2B. Purl back. Following row: 3B - 13M - 1C - 2M - 1C - 13M - 4A - 13M - 1C - 2M - 1C - 13M - 3B. Purl back.
   Continue in pattern to center of B half diamonds, ending with the following row, knitted only, not purled back: 1B - 1C - 16B - 16A - 2C - 16A - 16B - 1C - 1B. Break off last C at this end. With B purl back for 18 sts.
   Work half heel on these sts as follows: 1st row: Turn, sl 1, k 1 alternately to end. 2nd row: Purl 18 sts. Repeat these 2 rows for 33 rows in all, ending with 1st row. Turn heel as follows: P 1, p 2 tog., p 1, turn, sl 1, knit to end. P 2, p 2 tog., p 1, turn, sl 1, knit to end. P 3, p 2 tog., p 1, turn, sl 1, knit to end.
   Continue in this manner until all sts are used, ending with a purled row. Break off this B ball and leave these 10 sts on needle. Pick up the A strand at bottom of heel and purl back across foot in pattern. Break off last C ball at this end. Work other half of heel with B on 18 sts as follows: Sl 1, k 1 alternately for 18 sts. Purl back on these 18 sts. Repeat these 2 rows for 34 rows in all, ending with a purled row. Turn this half of heel as follows: K 1, sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1, turn, sl 1, p 2, turn. K 2, sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1, turn, sl 1, p 3, turn. K 3, sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1, turn. Sl 1, p 4.
   Continue in this manner until all sts are used, ending with a knit row. With the same B ball, pick up and knit 17 sts down side of heel. Put a marker on needle and work across 34 sts of instep as follows: 1M - 14A - 1C - 2A - 1C - 14A - 1M. Put a marker on needle and with M ball, pick up and knit 17 sts on this side of heel, and the 10 sts left on needle. Purl back with M to marker; purl in pattern across instep to next marker. Break off B ball at this end, and purl the 27 sts outside marker with M. Work between markers in pattern and outside the markers each side with M. Shape instep on each knit row as follows: Work to 3 sts before the 1st marker, then sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1. After the 2nd marker, k 1, k 2 tog. Continue until 18 sts remain outside the markers on each side. Complete A diamond.
   Sts are now on needle as follows: 19M - 1C - 14M - 2A - 14M - 1C - 19M. Purl back. Break off A ball. Tie a ball of B where A was broken off. Next row: 19M - 1C - 14M - 2B - 14M - 1C - 19M. Purl back. Following row: 20M - 1C - 12M - 4B - 12M - 1C - 20M. Complete small B diamond in pattern and, when sts are on needle as follows: 33M - 1C - 2B - 1C - 33M, break off B ball. Purl back.
   Next row: 34M - 2C - 34M. Purl back. Break off all yarns but 1 ball of M and divide sts on 3 needles, working toe as follows: On 1st needle k 17; on 2nd needle k 36; on 3rd needle k 17. Join and knit in rnds until foot measures 8" from back of heel for small size; 9" for medium; 10" for large—or 2" less than the desired length from back of heel. Break off M ball and work toe with B as follows: Dec. 4 sts in 1 rnd, on 3rd st from each end of the front needle and on the 3rd st from the front end of each back needle.
Knit 4 rnds and dec. in same place.
Knit 3 rnds and dec. in same place.
Knit 2 rnds and dec. in same place.
Knit 1 rnd and dec. in same place.
   Then dec. on each rnd until there are 10 sts left on front needle and 4 sts on each back needle. Work 1 more rnd, decreasing on front needle only. Weave sts together. Press and sew seams.