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What You Need:

BEEHIVE NON-SHRINK SOCK WOOL (1 oz. skeins), or

BEEHIVE NON-SHRINK MOORLAND, 3 Ply (1 oz. skeins).

Size 7½-8 – 1 skein of main color.

Sizes 8½-9 or 9½-10 – 2 skeins of main color.

1 skein each of two contrasting colors.

Royal Society Plastic Sock Needles No. 1.

Note: Colors will be referred to as follows: Main color—M, Block color—A, Overplaid color—B. Take four 1-yard strands each of M and A, and eight 1-yard strands of B.

GAUGE: 8½ sts make 1 inch; 11 rows make 1 inch.

Sizes 7½-8 (8½-9, 9½-10).

With M, cast on 56 sts very loosely. Using 2 needles (as a pair) work back and forth in k 2, p 2 ribbing for 1 inch. Start pattern as follows: 1st row: * Attach a strand of A and k 3 A, attach a strand of B and k 1 B, k 3 A, attach a strand of M and k 3 M, attach a strand of B and k 1 B, k 3 M. Repeat from * across. 2nd row: Always twist yarns around each other once when changing colors, to prevent making a hole. * P 3 M, 1 B, 3 M, 3 A, 1 B, 3 A. Repeat from * across. 3rd row: Knit across, using colors as they are on needle. 4th row: Attach a 2-yard strand of B and purl across with B. 5th row: Knit across with B. 6th, 7th and 8th rows: Same as 2nd, 3rd and 2nd rows respectively. 9th row: Being careful not to draw work too tightly when carrying yarn on wrong side, work as follows: * With next strand of M, k 3 M, 1 B, 3 M, with next strand of A, k 3 A, 1 B, 3 A. Repeat from * across. 10th row: Purl across, using colors as they are on needle. 11th row: Knit across using colors as they are on needle. 12th and 13th rows: Same as 4th and 5th rows respectively. 14th, 15th and 16th rows: Same as 10th, 11th and 10th rows respectively. These 16 rows constitute pattern. Work first 8 rows once more.

HEEL … Break off all strands of yarn. Attach a ball of M and work back and forth in stockinette st with M over the first 14 sts for one half of heel for 22 rows, ending with a purl row. To turn this half of heel, k 3 sts, slip 1, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, k 1, turn. Slip 1 st, p 4, turn. Knit 4 sts, slip 1, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, k 1, turn. Slip 1 st, p 5, turn. Knit 5 sts, slip 1, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, k 1, turn. Continue in this manner until all sts have been worked and 9 sts re­main on needle, ending with a knit row. With M, pick up 11 sts along side of heel, then slip next 28 instep sts onto same needle. Attach a 2nd ball of M for other half of heel and work last 14 sts in stockinette st with M for 21 rows, ending with a knit row. To turn this half of heel, p 3, p 2 together, p 1, turn. Slip 1 st, k 4, turn. P 4, p 2 together, p 1, turn. Slip 1 st, k 5, turn. Con­tinue in this way until all sts have been worked and 9 sts remain on needle ending with a purl row. Break yarn. Slip 28 instep sts back onto this needle, turn and, attaching yarn as necessary, work in pattern across instep sts. Attach another ball of M and pick up 11 sts along other side of heel, then knit last 9 sts with M. There are 68 sts on needle. Following row: P 20 M, insert a marker on needle, work in pattern across instep sts, insert another marker on needle, p 20 M.

To Shape Instep: 1st row: With M, knit across to 2 sts before marker, then k 2 together, slip marker, work in pattern across next 28 instep sts, slip marker, with M, slip 1 st, k 1, pass slipped st over knit st, knit to end of row. 2nd row: Purl across to marker with M, slip marker, purl in pattern across next 28 instep sts, slip marker, with M purl to end of row. Repeat these 2 rows alter­nately until 56 sts remain. Work in pattern with sts at outside of markers in M until piece measures from back of heel about 5½" (6¼", 7") ending with either the 8th or 16th rows of pattern.

Break off all but 1st ball of M. Di­vide sts on 3 needles, having the center 28 sts of instep on one (2nd) needle and dividing remaining sts on 2 needles for sole (1st and 3rd needles). Join and work around in stockinette st (knit each rnd) until piece measures from back of heel 6" (7", 8").

To Shape Toe: 1st rnd: Starting at center of sole, knit to 2 sts from end of 1st needle, then k 2 together. On 2nd needle, k 2 together, knit across to last 2 sts, then k 2 together. On 3rd needle, k 2 together, knit to end. 2nd rnd: Knit around. Repeat these 2 rnds alternately until 20 sts re­main.

Weave sts together; or bind off, fold and sew. Sew back seam.