Knee Socks Pattern #403

Sizes 8 ½ - 10 ½

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

GAUGE: 8 sts. = 1 inch

With No. 1 needles cast on 72 sts. Join, being careful not to twist sts. Work in ribbing K 2, P 2 for 2 inch. Change to No. 2 needles and work in plain K for 3 inch. Mark beg. of round. * Next round: K 2 tog., work all around to last 2 sts. of round, slip 1, K 1, and p.s.s.o. Work even for 1 inch. Repeat from * three times more. Work even until the entire sock measures 12 inch. or any des. length to heel. Divide the sts. as follows: Mark the last decr. as center back and slip 20 sts. from each side of center on one needle for heel (40 sts.). The rem. 32 sts. divide 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 17, 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. Slip 1, P 9, P 2 tog., P 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. (2nd needle). 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 1st needle, end at center of sole. Decr. for instep as follows: 1st round: On 1st needle K to within 3 sts., K 2 tog., K 1, work across all instep sts. 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 60 sts. in round. Work even until foot measures from tip of heel 6 ½ inch. for size 8 ½; 7 inch. for size 9, 7 ½ inch. for size 9 ½; 8 inch. for size 10; 8 ½ inch. for size 10 ½, or 2 inch. less than desired length when finished. Slip 1 st. from each end of instep needle to 1st and 3rd needle. Decrease for toe as follows: Attach Nylon. 1st 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 16 sts. are left over. Weave sts. tog. Steam lightly.