Rainbowsocks

Rainbow Socks

by Susanne Kitzmann

Using short rows in socks is nothing new. But they can do more than shaping the heel and toe. Combine them with self striping yarn and they will mix up the stripes and create a new pattern.

Difficulty level

Intermediate

Size

Women's Medium; foot length is adjustable

Materials

1 skein Regia Canadian (75% superwash wool, 25% polyamide; 459 yds [420 m] per 100 g), color #4735 Alberta

set of five US 1 [2.5 mm] double pointed needles

tapestry needle

Gauge

30 sts and 42 rows = 4" [10 cm] in stockinette

Notes

The sock is worked in the round on a set of 5 needles. The short row sections are worked back and forth in rows. Be careful to work the purl rows tightly and evenly, otherwise the knitted fabric will look quite uneven. Each short row section is followed by two rounds worked in stockinette over all stitches, so that all turned stitches will be knitted before the next short row section starts.

The beginning of the row/round changes from the beginning of needle 1 to the beginning of needle 3 after each short row section.

There must be an even number of short row sections on the leg and foot, for balance.

I prefer to work short rows as follows: Knit or purl the given number of stitches, turn your work, with yarn in front slip the first st purlwise to the right needle, then pull the working yarn to the back over the right needle. This leaves two loops on the right needle, which are knitted or purled together as one stitch on the following row.

There are various methods of working short rows--just search the web and choose the method which gives you the best results.

Pattern

Leg

Using long-tail method, cast on 56 sts, divide evenly over 4 needles, and join to beg working in the round, being careful not to twist. Work 20 rounds, or to desired length, in k2, p2 rib.

Set-up rnd: Work in stockinette, inc 4 sts evenly spaced around—60 sts.

Short row section:

At the beg of the rnd, k2, turn work, work turn st (see Notes), p3, turn work, work turn st. Knit to previously turned st, knit tog both loops of turned st, k4, turn work, work turn st. Purl to turned st, purl tog both loops of turned st, p4, turn work, work turn st.

Continue in this manner, working 4 more sts before turning on every row, until there are only 4 sts left unworked at end of row (RS). K3, turn work, work turn st, purl to turned st, purl tog both loops of turned st, p3, turn, work turn st. Now work 2 rounds over all sts, knitting together both loops of the last turned sts. Note that the beginning of the round has shifted from needle 1 to needle 3.

Work short row section a total of 4 times, or 6 times for a longer leg.

On the final round of the leg, stop 2 sts before the end of the round (that is, leave 2 sts unworked on needle 4).

Heel

The short row heel is worked in rows on the sts of needles 1 and 2. For a comfortable fit, the heel is worked on 34 sts, more than half the total number of sts. If you have a high instep, work the heel over 36 sts.

Slip 2 sts from needle 3 to needle 2, slip 2 unworked sts from needle 4 to needle 1—34 sts for heel.

Row 1 (RS): K34, turn.
Row 2: Work turn st, p33, turn.
Row 3: Work turn st, k32, turn.
Row 4: Work turn st, p31, turn.
Continue in this manner, working 1 fewer st before turning each row, until you have 12 turn sts on each side and 10 live stitches in the center. Now knit 2 rounds over all 60 sts, closing gaps by knitting together both loops of turned sts.

Continuing on heel sts only,
Row 1: K23, turn.
Row 2: Work turn st, p11, turn.
Row 3: Work turn st, knit to turned st, knit tog both loops of turned st, k1, turn.
Row 4: Work turn st, purl to turned st, purl tog both loops of turned st, p1, turn.
Rep Rows 3-4 until all 34 sts are worked. Redistribute sts evenly over 4 needles. Knit 2 rounds over all 60 sts, knitting together both loops of the last turned sts.

Foot

Work 6 short row sections as described under Leg.

Toe

(Round begins with needle 1.)

Rnd 1: K1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before end of needle 2, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before end of needle 4, k2tog, k1—4 sts dec'd.
Rnd 2-4: Knit.
Rnd 5: Rep Rnd 1.
Rnds 6-7: Knit.
Rnd 8: Rep Rnd 1.
Rnds 9-10: Knit.
Rnd 11: Rep Rnd 1.
Rnd 12: Knit.
Rnd 13: Rep Rnd 1.
Rnd 14: Knit.
Rnds 15-19: Rep Rnd 1—20 sts rem.

Break yarn, leaving a 10" [25 cm] tail for grafting.

Finishing

Graft toe closed. Weave in all ends. Wash and block.

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