Whee! Socks
An introduction to stranded knitting

DSCF0373

circ = circular needles
k = knit; p = purl
k2tog = knit 2 together
p2tog = purl 2 together
rnd(s) = round(s)
SS = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
Increases:
M1L: Make one left slant; using the left needle, pick up the horizontal strand from front to back. Insert the right needle into the back of the picked-up strand and knit.
M1R: Make one right slant; using the left needle, pick up the horizontal strand from back to front. Insert the right needle into the front of the picked-up strand and knit.

Yarn: Approximately 162 yards of 2 colors (approximately 324 total yards) of fingering/sock yarn for women’s size medium
Gauge: 8 stitches = 1 inch.
Needles: 1 size 2 and 1 size 3, 32” circular needle or set of 4, size 2 and size 3 DPNs, or size needed to get gauge.
Finished Measurements:
Circumference: leg = 6.25″ (7.50″, 8.12″); foot = 6.25″ (7.50″, 8.12″)
Length: cuff = 2.00″, leg = 6.50″, foot = 7.75″ (8.60″, 10.5″)

Instructions are for size small, with medium and large in parentheses.

Before You Start
Stranded knitting can look complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. There are some things to keep in mind.
•   The process of stranding—carrying yarn over stitches—adds a bit of bulk to the finished project. If your feet swell, you’re between sizes, or your yarn doesn’t have much elasticity, you might want to go up a size. You can also use a larger needle; this works especially well if you have heavy ankles and calves.
•   Do not pull the strands tight. This will likely make the sock next to, if not, impossible to get over the foot.
•   Be consistent in which color goes over the other and which goes under. This might sound trifle, and it probably isn’t the most important thing, but it can reduce tangling, make for a neater “wrong” side, and affect comfort.
•   Your yarn will probably tangle. Some people keep their colors in separate bags or other containers to reduce the tangling. Others find that using a guide ring (a ring with separate paths for multiple yarns) helps reduce tangling. If (when) you see a tangle, avoid headaches by untangling as soon as possible.
Don’t let these cautions turn you off of stranded knitting. The results are unique and beautiful.

Method
Using the Turkish or other invisible method, cast on 29 sts loosely in Color A.
Divide sts onto the smaller circ, with 14 on the needle (sole; needle 1) and 15 on the cable (instep; needle 2)
Mark the beginning of the rnd.

Rnd 1:
Needle 1: K1, M1R, work to last st, M1L, k1.
Needle 2: K1, M1R, work to last st, M1L, k1.

Work Rnd 1 until there are 37 (41, 41) total sts.

Rnd 2: Knit even.

Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 until there are 53 (61, 65) total sts (26 [30, 32] sts on needle 1 and 27 [31, 33] on needle 2). End with a Rnd 2.

Begin the Stranding portion.
Switch to larger needles.
Rnd 1: With *Color A, K2; attach Color B, K2. Repeat from * to end of rnd, ending with Color A, K1.

Rnd 2: With Color A, K1; * Color B, K2; Color A, K2. Repeat from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 3: With *Color B, K2; Color A, K2. Repeat from * to end of rnd, ending with Color B, K1.
Rnd 4: With Color B, K1; *Color A, K2; Color B, K2. Repeat from * to end of rnd.

Continue working in this pattern until foot measures approximately 1–1 1/2″ less than the total length of the foot. Make a note of where in the pattern you end, so you’ll be able to pick up from where you left off when the heel is completed. Cut Color A, leaving a tail long enough to be weaved in during finishing.

Heel:
There are several versions of this type of heel. This particular method was devised by Priscilla Wilde. Please feel free to use a heel method with which you feel comfortable.

You’ll only be working on Needle 1. Using Color B:

k to next to last stitch, turn
SS, p 23 (27, 29), turn
SS, k 22 (26, 28), turn
SS, p 21 (25, 27), turn
SS, k 20 (24, 26), turn
SS, p 19 (23, 25), turn
SS, k 18 (22, 24), turn
SS, p 17 (21, 23), turn
SS, k 16 (20, 22), turn
SS, p 15 (19, 21), turn
SS, k 14 (18, 20), turn
SS, p 13 (17, 19), turn
SS, k 12 (16, 18), turn
SS, p 11 (15, 17), turn
SS, k 10 (14, 16), turn
SS, p 9 (13, 15), turn
SS, k 8 (12, 14), turn
SS, p 7 (11, 13), turn
SS, K 6 (10, 12), turn
SS, P 5 (9, 11), turn
SS, K 4 (8, 10), turn

**Purl (or knit) to first stitch next to the first hole, p2tog. This closes the hole. Pick up 1 stitch with right needle (put needle through the top loop of the gap and pull through a new loop with yarn. Turn.
Slip the picked-up stitch to left needle, knit across to the stitch next to first hole, k2tog. Pick up 1 stitch in next hole with right needle. Turn.**
Repeat the instructions between the **s until all stitches are back in work. Finish by picking up a stitch on the end loop when at the end of the increasing.

Leg:
Pick up the stranding pattern where you left off. Attach Color A. Knit in the established pattern until the leg is 2″ less than the desired length. Cut Color B, leaving a tail long enough to be weaved in at finishing.

Cuff:
In Color A, work in a K1, P1 ribbing for 2″, ending at the beginning of a rnd. Bind off in rib pattern. Weave in ends.