Army Inspired Socks
By Valeria Kerkkä
Difficulty: Advanced beginner. Techniques used: short-row heel, knitting in the round.
Pattern inspiration: These socks were inspired by army uniforms, green colors and urban space. They are almost knee-high with a twisted stitch ribbing that gives them an interesting look. The decorative button tabs are imitated from similar decorations usually seen on coats and jackets. You also have a chance to choose some funky buttons to use for this pair of socks!
[photographer: Valeria Kerkkä/model: Taina Koskinen
SIZE
To fit calf circumference of about 12.5 - 13.5 inches. This pattern has negative ease of at least 2 inches for a tight fit.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Widest circumference (unstretched): 10.5 inches
Cuff length: 12 inches or as needed.
MATERIALS
[MC] Colinette Jitterbug [100% merino wool; 320 yd per 110g skein]; Velvet Leaf; 2 skeins.
[CC] Colinette Jitterbug [100% merino wool; 320 yd per 110g skein]; Wasabi Squeeze; 1 skein (25 yards).
1 set US Size 1/2.25mm double-pointed needles
12 split ring or locking ring stitch markers (to mark button placement)
12 – 1 inch buttons
sewing needle and thread
GAUGE
28 sts X 36 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch
PATTERN NOTES
MPMK's list of abbreviations.
*Sock is worked from Cuff to Toe. Accentuating tabs are worked separately and attached with buttons.
*Sock heel is worked using short rows. For first sock, knit heel as written. For second sock, work first Row of heel as foll: *k1tbl, p1; rep from * 17 times; then work Heel as written for first sock. This will give the socks and accentuating tabs a mirrored look when worn.
IM (Insert Marker): with split ring stitch marker or locking ring stitch marker, insert ring onto next st, and work as written. Markers are used to mark button placement and should not be moved until Tabs are attached.
PATTERN
Sock
With MC, CO 88 sts, using long-tail or another cast-on with some stretch. Divide sts evenly among 4 ndls and join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist. Place marker to note start of rnd.
Cuff
Rnd 1: *K1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 2-6: P18, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 7: P2tog, p14, p2tog, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end.Rnds 8-13: P16, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 14 (insert markers): P2tog, p12, p2tog, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * once more, im, *k1tbl, p1, rep from * 30 times more, im, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnds 15-20: P14, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 21: P2tog, p10, p2tog, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnds 22-27: P12, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 28 (insert markers): P2tog, p8, p2tog, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * once more, im, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * 30 times more, im, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnds 29-34: P10, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 35: P2tog, p6, p2tog, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 36-41: P8, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 42 (insert markers): P2tog, p4, p2tog, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * once more, im, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * 30 times more, im; *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnds 43-48: P6, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 49: P2tog, p2, p2tog, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnds 50-55: P4, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 56: [P2tog] twice, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnds 57-62: P2, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 63: P2tog, *K1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Rnd 64: P1, *k1tbl, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, end k1tbl, sl 1 st to RH ndl, remove m, sl st back to LH ndl, P2tog, replace m. [70 sts rem]. Rnd 65: *K1tbl, p1; rep from * to end. Work even in k1tbl, p1 rib until cuff meas 12 inches or until top of cuff reaches from 1/2” above widest part of calf to ankle.
Heel
Row 1 (RS): K35, turn. Divide rem 35 sts evenly between 2 ndls for instep, and set extra ndl aside. Row 2: P34, sl 1 pwise, wrap stitch, sl st back to LH ndl and turn. Row 3: K33, wrap stitch, turn. Row 4: P32, wrap stitch, turn. Row 5: K31, wrap stitch, turn. Cont in this fashion, wrapping one more st at the end of each row, until 17 sts rem unwrapped. Next row (RS): K17, sl 1 wrapped st pwise to RH ndl, pick up wrap onto LH ndl, replace wrapped st onto LH ndl and k2tog, turn. Next row (WS): P18, sl 1 wrapped st pwise to RH ndl, pick up wrap onto LH ndl, replace wrapped st onto LH ndl and p2tog, turn. Cont in this fashion, working wraps together with sts until all wrapped sts have been worked.
Foot
Next rnd: knit 1 rnd, working across sts for heel and sts held for instep. [70 sts]. Divide sts evenly among 4 ndls and work even in St st for 5 more rnds. Dec rnd: *K33, k2tog; rep from * once. [68 sts rem]. Next rnd: Knit. Work even in St st until Foot meas approx 2 inches short of total foot length.
Shape ToeRnd 1: *K15, k2tog; rep from * to end. Rnd 2: *K14, k2tog; rep from * to end. Cont in this manner, dec last 2 sts at end of each ndl, until 8 sts rem. Cut yarn leaving a 12” tail, thread onto tapestry ndl, and thread through rem sts. Pull tightly and weave in ends.
Knit second sock similarly, keeping in mind the mirroring of the heel (see Pattern Notes).
Sew buttons to sock using markers as a guide.
Tabs
(Make 1 of each size for each sock, 6 Tabs total)
With CC, CO 17 (19, 21] sts. Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1; rep from * to the last st, end k1. Row 2: P1, m1, p15 [17, 19], m1, p1. [19 (21, 23) sts]. Row 3: K1, m1, *k1, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, end k1, m1, k1. [21 (23, 25) sts]. Row 4: P3, BO 3 sts, purl to last 6 sts, end BO 3 sts, p3. [15 (17, 19) sts rem]. Row 5: K1, p1, k1, CO 3 sts, *k1, p1; rep from * to last 3 sts, end CO 3 sts, k1, p1, k1. [21 (23, 25) sts]. Row 6: P2tog, purl to last 2 sts, end p2tog. [19 (21, 23) sts. Row 7: ssk, *k1, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, end k2tog. BO rem 17 (19, 21) sts.
FINISHING
Wet block tabs, to minimize curling, and fasten them to buttons.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
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Valeria Kerkkä is a Finnish knitter and appreciator of all kinds of creativity. A university student by day, she spends most of her nights knitting, spinning or creating art. Her blog can be found here. |