The Unique Sheep’s Super Easy, Basic Fingering Weight Socks

 

Yarn: any fingering weight wool or wool blend yarn
Needles: 4 size 1 double pointed needles
Gauge: 7 sts = 1”
Size: women’s medium

Cuff and Leg

  1. Cast on 64 stitches using the long-tail cast on method.
  2. Divide stitches evenly onto needles and join for working in the round
  3. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 1” (or desired length)
  4. Switch to stockinette stitch and work leg of sock for desired length (I like about 4” but its up to you how long you want your socks) **if desired, you can continue to work in ribbing for the rest of the leg and the instep of the foot. I would not recommend using ribbing for the sole stitches though**

Heel Flap

  1. Redistribute your sts so that you have 32sts on one needle and 16 sts each on the other 2 needles.
  2. You are now going to work only on the needle holding 32sts—ignore the other 32sts for now. If the double pointed needles are getting in your way or you are afraid that the stitches will fall off simply slip the stitches onto a stitch holder until you are done with the heel. These stitches will later become your instep (the top of the foot).
  3. You will now knit a heel flap on 32 sts, working back and forth rather than in the round.
  4. Repeat the next 2 rows for a total of 33 rows, ending with a right side row. This type of heel flap is done using the heel stitch.

    Right Side Rows: Sl 1, P3, *K1, Sl 1* repeat between ** until 4 stitches remain, K4
    Wrong Side Rows: Sl 1, K3, P to last 4sts, K4

(Online Tutorial:The Heel)

Turning the Heel
To turn the heel you will use short row shaping. You will begin with a wrong side row.

  1. P16, P2tog, P1, turn (you will leave the rem sts unworked)
  2. Sl 1, K2, SSK, K1, turn
  3. Sl 1, purl until 1 st before gap, P2tog, P1, turn
  4. Sl 1, knit until 1 st before gap, ssk, K1, turn

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches have been worked (17sts remaining)

Gusset

You are now going to pick up stitches along the sides of the heel flap and rejoin with the instep stitches to work in the round. If your stitches are tight it might help to use a crochet hook to pick up sts. (Online Tutorial:Picking Up Stitches )

With right side of heel facing you pick up 18sts along left side of heel flap. On second needle, knit 32 instep stitches (the stitches you did not work for the heel flap), with third needle pick up 18 sts along right side of heel flap, knit first 8 sts of heel. Slip remaining 9 sts onto first needle. (85 sts)

  1. Knit 9 sts from sole, pick up and knit 17sts on edge of heel flap, knit 1 stitch one row down at top of heel flap, work instep stitches in pattern, knit 1 stitch one row down at top of heel flap, pick up and knit 17sts on edge of heel flap, knit remaining 8 sole sts
  2. Knit sole and gusset stitches until 3sts before instep begins; SSK, K1; knit 32 instep sts; K1, K2tog, knit remaining sts
  3. Knit around

 

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until a total of 64sts remain

Foot
Work even until foot measure 2” shorter than desired length of foot.  

Toe

  1. On 1st needle: knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1
    On 2nd needle: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1
    On 3rd needle: K1, SSK, knit rem sts
  2. Knit 

Repeat these 2 rounds until for a total of 16 rounds

Repeat rnd 1 until 16 sts remain

Redistribute yarn onto 2 needles (8 sts each); cut yarn, leaving 12” tail for finishing; finish toe using Kitchener Stitch. (Online Tutorial: Kitchener )