U.S. HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES

Sizes 8 ½ – 9

REQUIREMENTS

YARN: 2-ounces of sock yarn or 3-ply fingering or shetland.

NEEDLES: 1-pair #1 single-pointed. Two Stitch Holders.

GAUGE: 11 rounds make an inch.

Starting at the cuff, cast on 60 sts and work in the following pattern:

1st row: K 2, * p 2, k 4, repeat from * across row, ending with p 2, k 2. 2nd row: P 2, * k 2, p 4, repeat from * across row, ending with k 2, p 2. Repeat these 2 rows for 5 inches.

HEEL: Knit 14 sts, leave on the needle; place the next 32 sts onto a st holder for the instep; the remaining sts onto a 2nd st holder. On the 14 sts, work in stockinette stitch for 22 rows always slipping the first st on a purl row, ending with a purl row.

SHAPING OF HEEL:

K 2, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 3, turn;

k 3, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 4, turn;

k 4, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 5, turn;

k 5, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 6, turn;

k 6, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 7, turn;

k 7, sl 1, k 1, psso, no k 1, (8 sts).

With the same needle, pick up and knit 11 sts along side of heel, work in rib pattern the 32 sts off st holder, place all the sts from the needle back onto the free st holder. Knit the 14 sts off 2nd st holder, work in stockinette st for 23 rows, always slipping the first st on a knit row, ending with a knit row.

SHAPING OF 2ND HALF OF HEEL:

P 2, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 3, turn;

p 3, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 4, turn;

p 4, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 5, turn;

p 5, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 6, turn;

p 6, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 7, turn;

p 7, p 2 tog, no p 1, (8 sts).

With the same needle, pick up and purl 11 sts along side of heel, off the st holder work the 32 sts of the instep in ribbing; purl the last 19 sts. NEXT ROW: K 19 sts; place a marker on the needle; work across 32 sts in rib pattern; place a marker on the needle; k 19 sts. NEXT ROW: Purl to first marker; slip marker, rib across instep sts; slip marker; purl the remaining sts.

GUSSET DECREASES: Knit to within 3 sts of first marker; k 2 tog, k 1, slip marker; rib across instep sts; slip marker; k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to the end of row. Repeat the last 2 rows until 60 sts remain. Continue work, keeping 14 sts at each side in stockinette stitch and the center sts in ribbing, until the sock measures 6 ½ inches from the back of the heel. With the wrong side of the work facing you; purl 15 sts; place a marker on the needle; purl 30 sts; place a marker on the needle; purl the remaining 15 sts.

TOE DECREASES: Knit to within 3 sts of first marker, k 2 tog, k 1, slip marker; k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to within 3 sts of 2nd marker, k 2 tog, k 1; slip marker; k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to end of row. NEXT ROW: Purl across, keeping markers in place. Repeat these 2 rows until 16 sts are left. Bind off and sew across toe, having decrease at the sides. Sew sole and back seams. Make the other sock the same way.