by DilysSutherland, (c) 1998
These are made in sport weight yarn, with a ribbed leg. You can do them in one colour, or in a combination of colours. I made a pair in orange, with black stripes at the top of the leg and black for the heel and toe. (they were for the baby of a teacher I work with, and these are the school colours!)
**Special Abbreviation: ssk - this is an alternative to the old psso decrease. To ssk, you slip the next two stitches knitwise, then insert the tip of the left hand needle into the front of these two stitches, then knit them together. If you prefer, you could always use the psso decrease instead. (Slip 1, knit one, pass slipped stitch over), but I find the ssk is quicker and neater.
Materials:
One set of 3.25 mm double-pointed needles.
Sport or DK weight yarn.
Optional: contrast for stripes, heel and toes.
Cast on 32 stitches, distributed evenly on three needles:
1st needle: 10 stitches
2nd needle: 12 stitches
3rd needle: 10 stitches
Rib in k1, p1 ribbing for 4 inches.
Heel:
k1, p1 for 8 stitches off of the first needle. Turn, p8, then p8 from third needle. You now have 16 stitches on one needle for the heel flap. Turn.
Work another 12 rows in stockinette stitch.
Turning the heel:
Row 1: k8, place marker, k2, ssk, k1, turn
Row 2: sl 1, purl to 2 stitches past the marker, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 3: sl 1, knit to 3 stitches past the marker, k2tog, k1, turn
Row 4: sl 1, purl to 3 stitches past the marker, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 5: sl 1, knit to 4 stitches past the marker, k2tog, turn
Row 6: purl to 4 stitches past the marker, p2tog, turn
Row 7: knit
Pick up 8 stitches along the first side of the heel flap. Using the second needle, knit across the 16 instep stitches. Using a third needle, pick up 8 stitches on the other side of the heelflap, and knit 5 stitches from the first needle.
Shaping the instep:
Next round: knit
Decrease round: 1st needle - knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1.
2nd needle - knit across.
3rd needle - k1, ssk, knit to end.
Repeat these two rounds until there are 32 stitches remaining.
Knit 15 rounds in stockinette stitch.
Shaping the toe:
Next round: knit
Decrease round: 1st needle - knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1.
2nd needle - knit 1, ssk, knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1.
3rd needle - k1, ssk, knit to end.
Repeat these two rounds until there are 8 stitches remaining. Graft toe stitches using Kitchener Stitch, OR cast off and sew up.
