Island of Misfit Patterns

Check your gauge. Multiply the number of stitches you get per inch by two. The result is x. In equation format:

(spi * 2 = x)

Cast on 4x stitches, x on each needle. Join into a round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Knit a cuff in the ribbing stitch of your choice for x rounds.

Switch to your leg pattern and knit 3x rounds for shorter socks, 4x rounds for longer socks.

Knit a heel in heel stitch for 2x rounds.

Repeat these two rows (right side: *sl1, K1*; wrong side, sl1, p remaining stitches) for 2x rows. Be sure to end on a wrong side row.

turn the heel as follows:

Row 1: Sl1, K (x + 2), K2tog, K1, turn. (Yes, turn. TURN IT AROUND. You’ll be fine.)
Row 2: Sl1, P7, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 3: Row 3: Sl 1, k to within one stitch of gap, k2 tog across gap, k1, turn. (look at your needles. See the gap in between the stitches you’ve worked in this short row in the middle and the stitches that still need to be worked ? That’s the gap I’m talking about.)
Row 4: Sl 1, p to within one stitch of gap, p2tog across gap, p1, turn.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches have been worked.

Pick up x stitches along either side of the heel flap, knitting across instep stitches as you come to them. Knit half the remaining heel stitches off of the first needle to the fourth. The beginning of the round is at the bottom of the heel.

GUSSET: This is the part where the sock decreases as your foot gets narrower over the instep.

Round 1: K to 3 stitches before end on N1, K2tog, K1. K across N2 and N3 in pattern. On N4, K1, SSK (or k2tog tbl), and knit to end. Round 2: Knit plain (instep stitches in pattern, if you’re doing that) Repeat these two rounds until the foot needles (N1 and N4) have x stitches on each of them.

Foot: Continue to knit the foot with no further decreases until the entire foot, including the gusset rows, measures 4x rows.

Toe: This is a wedge toe. Discontinue the pattern stitch, if you were carrying it down the instep. From here on out, knit plain.

Round 1: K to 3 stitches before end of N1, K2tog, K1. On N2, K1, SSK (or K2tog tbl), K to end. On N3, K to 3 stitches before end, K2 tog, K1. On N4, K1, SSK (or K2tog tbl), K to end.
Round 2: knit plain.
Repeat these two rounds until there are ((x-2)/2) stitches on each needle. Then repeat only round 1 until there are 2 stitches on each needle. Break yarn, run through all eight stitches twice, pull tight, and weave in ends. Knit another to match and you’re done!

Copyright 2004 Kathryn Tewson. Permission is granted to reproduce this pattern in any medium, as long as it is distributed for free and this copyright notice remains intact. Permission is also granted to produce items from this pattern for sale.