Outside the Box Socks
I designed these socks years ago for a book that someone was compiling, but they were never published. I hope you can use them.
K – Knit
P – Purl
S – Slip
PSSO – Pass Slipped Stitch Over
K2 Tog – Knit 2 together
C - Color
MC – Main Color
CC – Contrasting Color
The gauge is 7 st. = 1"
Squares
At the first stitch of each row knit through back of loop.
Cast on 30 st. using two needle cast on.
Row 1 - K 14, K 2 tog, K14
Row 2 and all even rows Knit
Row 3 - K 13, K 3 tog, K 13
Row 5 - K 12, K 3 tog, K 12
Row 7 - K 11, K 3 tog, K 11
Row 9 - K 10, K3 tog, K 10
Row 11 - K 9, K 3 tog, K 9
Row 13 - K 8, K3 tog, K 8
Row 15 - K 7, K 3 tog, K 7
Row 17 - K 6, K3 tog, K 6
Row 19 - K 5, K 3 tog, K 5
Row 21 - K 4, K 3 tog, K 4
Row 23 - K 3, K 3 tog, K 3
Row 25 – K 2, K3 tog, K 2
Row 27 - K 1, K3 tog, K 1
Row 29 - K 3 tog,
*After a square is knitted you have one st. remaining on needle.
Square 2
Hold square with cast on edges on left side and top and diagonal running from lower right to upper left. We will consider this to be right side up. Pick up 14 st. from bottom right corner to upper right corner then cast on 15 st. and make square 2. *
Square 3
Hold square right side up, then pick up 14 st. from bottom right corner to upper right corner then cast on 15 st. and make square 3. *
Square 4 made same as Squares 2 and 3. At final stitch pull thru and break off. This finishes your top row of squares.
Square 5
Cast on 15 stitches. Hold top row of squares right side up, pick up 15 stitches working from bottom left to bottom right side of square 1. Make square. *
Square 6
Holding all squares right side up, pick up 14 stitches on right side of square 5 and 15 stitches across bottom side of square 2. Make square. *
Square 7
Hold all squares right side up, pick up 14 stitches on right side of square 6 and 15 stitches across bottom side of square 3. Make square *
Square 8
Hold squares right side up, pick up 14 stitches on right side of square 7 and 15 stitches across bottom side of square 4. Make square. At final stitch pull thru and break off
Sew your squares into a tube 2 squares high and 4 squares around.
Ribbing
With a MC of your choice, pick up 56 stitches (14 from each square) at top. K1, P1 ribbing for ¾ inch. Change color each row thru the colors selected for matching your squares. K1, P1 in main color until ribbing is 2” wide and bind off very loosely.
Foot
With MC pick up 56 stitches (14 from each square) on side away from ribbing. Knit in stockinet st. until cuff is the height you like.
Heel
Heel Flap - Put 28 stitches on 1 needle and 14 stitches on remaining 2 needles. Working on the needle with 28 stitches using your MC and a CC chosen from colors in your variegated yarn. This heel will have vertical stripes.
Row 1 – S 1 in MC, K1 in CC, to end of needle and turn.
Row 2 – Purl using colors as on row 1
Repeat these 2 rows until heel flap measures 2 - 2.5 inches. End with Purl row.
Heel Bottom – Using main color doubled
Row 1 - S 1, K17, K 2 together, turn
Row 2 – S 1, P 8, P 2 tog, turn
Row 3 – S 1, K 8, K 2 tog, turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until 10 stitches remain on needles. End on knit row (if you have 10 st. after Purl row, knit across)
Set up instep gusset –
Pick up 16 stitches up left side of heel flap (Needle 1), knit across front of sock (Needle 2 - 28 st.) and pick up 16 stitches down other side of heel flap. Arrange stitches on needles (dividing 10 stitches from across back of heel between Needles 1 and 3) as follows: Needle 1 - 21, Needle 2 – 28 and Needle 3 - 21
Instep gusset -
Row 1 - Needle 1 - K to last 3 stitches on needle, K 2tog, K1, Needle 2 - Knit across, Needle 3 - K1, S1 K1, PSSO Knit to end of needle
Row 2 - Knit around
Repeat these two rows until Needles 1 and 3 have 14 stitches each. This is the end of the gusset.
Foot - Knit in stockinet stitch for 1”. With chosen yarns in same order as cuff knit in the following pattern; MC is C1, and C2, C3, C4, will follow by your choice
Round 1 - K 1 C1, K1 C2
Round 2 – K C2
Round 3 – K1 C2, K1 C3
Round 4 – K C3
Round 5 – K 1 C3, K 1 C4
Round 6 – K C4
Round 7 – K 1 C4, K 1 C5
(Repeat for as many colors as you have)
The sample sock goes thru the rainbow, then has a solid strip of main color 6 rows wide, then goes backwards thru the rainbow. The number of colors you use and the size of your foot will control the width of this color band.
When foot is 1 1/2" - 2” shorter than length desired, use MC and begin decreases. You will work one row in MC and one row in the same CC used in the heel stripes. Stripes on the toe will be circular rather than vertical.
Toe Shaping
Row 1 - Needle 2 - K1, S1 K1 PSSO to within 3 stitch of other end, K 2 tog, K 1. Needle 3 - K 1, S 1 K1 PSSO and knit to end, Needle 1 - Knit to within 3 stitch of end then K 2 tog, K1
Row 2 - Knit around
Row 3 - Repeat Row 1
Row 4 - Knit around
Row 5 - Repeat Row 1
Repeat only Row 1 until 10 stitches remain
Finish with Kitchner stitch.