Knee Length Cable Socks Pattern #402

Sizes 9 to 11 ½

MATERIAL:
3 balls Sport yarn preshrunk (2 oz. ball)
1 set sock needles each No. 1 and No. 2
1 card Nylon for heel and toe reinforcement

GAUGE: 7 sts. = 1 inch

With No. 1 needles cast on 86 sts. (28-28-30). Join, being careful not twist sts. Work in ribbing K 1, P 1 for 1 ½ inch. Incr. 4 sts. at even intervals in last row of ribbing. Change to No. 2 needles and work in pattern as follows:

1st, 2nd and 3rd rounds: * K 3, P 2, K 8, P 2, repeat from * across round.

4th round: * K 3, P 2, slip next 4 sts. to an extra needle and hold in back of work, K next 4 sts., K the 4 sts. from extra needle (a cable made), P2 repeat from * across round.

5th to 8th round incl.: like 1st round.

9th round: like 4th round.

Continue to work this way (cable the K 8 sts. every 8th round) until sock measures 13 inch. or any des. length to heel. Divide the sts. as follows: Slip next 55 sts. (starting with P 1 and ending with P 1) to one needle for heel and divide the rem. 35 sts. on 2 needles for instep. Work over heel needle only and attach Nylon. K across row and decr. to 32 sts. P back. 1st row: * slip 1, K 1, repeat from * across row. 2nd row: P across row. Repeat these 2 rows for 24 rows. Now start to shape heel (right side facing you) slip 1, K 16, K 2 tog., K 1, turn. Slip 1, P 5, P 2 tog., P 1, turn. Slip 1, K 6, K 2 tog., K 1, turn. Slip 1, P 7, P 2 tog., P 1, turn. Slip 1, K 8, K 2 tog., K 1, turn. Continue this way, always working 1 st. more on each row until 18 sts. are left on heel needle. Cut off Nylon. With another needle (1st needle), pick up and K 12 sts. along one side of heel. Work across instep sts. in pattern. With another needle (3rd needle), pick up and K 12 sts. along other side of heel and K half of heel sts. to same needle. Slip the rem. heel sts. to first needle, end at center of sole. Decr. for instep as follows: 1st round: On first needle K to within 3 sts., K 2 tog., K 1, work across all instep sts. in pattern. On 3rd needle: K 1, slip 1, K 1, and p.s.s.o. the K st. K to end. 2nd round: Work even. Repeat these 2 rounds until there are 16 sts. each on 1st and 3rd needles. Work even until foot measures from tip of heel 7 inch. for size 9; 7 ½ inch. for size 9 ½; 8 inch. for size 10; and 8 ½ inch. for size 10 ½, or 2 inch. less than desired length when finished. Discontinue cable pattern on instep needle and decr. 1 st. in each of the 3 K stripes. There are now 64 sts. in round. Attach Nylon. Start to decrease for toe: First round: On 1st needle, K to within 3 sts., K 2 tog., K 1. On 2nd needle, K 1, slip 1, K 1, p.s.s.o. the K st., K across to within 3 sts., K 2 tog., K 1. On 3rd needle, K 1, slip 1, K 1, p.s.s.o. the K st., K to end. 2nd round: K around. Repeat these 2 rounds until 20 sts. are left over. Weave sts. tog. Steam lightly.