February Lady Sock: Free Pattern!

You might recall that I knitted a February Lady Sweater.

Being a socky sort of girl, I decided that a pair of socks might be nice, to go with it. The lace pattern lends itself very nicely to socks - it's a nice ribby sort of look.

SIZES:
Ladies’ S (up to shoe size 7), L (shoe size 7½ and up) - for a wider foot work the larger size.

MATERIALS:
400yds/365m sock yarn that knits to gauge
1 set 2.5 mm double pointed needles OR 1 long 2.5mm circular needle for magic loop method
stitch marker if you're using magic loop

TENSION:
36 sts = 4”/10 cm in stocking stitch using 2.5mm needles
28 sts = 4”/10 cm in gull lace pattern using 2.5mm needles

GULL LACE PATTERN: Over a multiple of 7 sts, worked in the round.
Round 1: *K1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2: Knit all sts.
Round 3: *K2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4: Knit all sts.

METHOD:
Directions are for smallest size, with numbers for larger size in parentheses.

Cuff & Leg:
Cast on 50 [56] stitches. Distribute stitches evenly across needles and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Ribbing round: *K1, p1; rep from * to end of round.
Repeat ribbing round until sock measures 1 [1.25] inch/2.5 [3] cm from cast on. For smaller size ONLY, k2tog at end of final round.

Change to Gull Lace Pattern and work until leg measures 6.5 [7] inches/17 [18] cm, ending with Round 4.

Turn Heel:
This portion is knitted flat, in stocking stitch.

Knit first 28 [28] stitches. (Slip the rem 21 [28] sts to a holder if you wish.) Starting with a purl row, work 21 [23] rows of stocking stitch on these sts, slipping the first stitch of every row. RS is facing for next row.

Heel turn row 1 (RS): Knit 19 [19] stitches, ssk, turn.
Heel turn row 2 (WS): Slip 1, purl 10 [10] stitches, p2tog, turn.
Heel turn row 3 (RS): Slip 1, knit 10 [10] stitches, ssk, turn.
Heel turn row 4 (WS): Slip 1, purl 10 [10] stitches, p2tog, turn.

Repeat last two rows until all stitches have been worked. Ensure RS is facing for next row. 12 [12] sts rem.

Re-establish Round and Create Gusset:
Knit the heel stitches. Pick up and knit 15 [16] stitches along selvedge edge at first side of heel, using slipped stitches as a guide. Work across the 21 [28] stitches of instep as per lace pattern round 1. Pick up and knit 15 [16] stitches along selvedge edge at other side of heel, using slipped stitches as a guide. Work 6 [6] stitches from the heel. 63 [72] sts total.

The beginning of the round is now at the centre of the heel. Place a marker if required for magic loop method.

Decrease Gusset:
First gusset round: K6, k 15 [16] tbl; work across 21 [28] sts of instep in lace pattern as established; k 15 [16] tbl, k6.

Gusset decrease round: Knit to 2 sts before instep, k2tog; work across 21 [28] sts of instep in lace pattern as established; ssk, k to end of round.
Work 2 even rounds.

Repeat these last three rounds until 36 sts remain on the sole - 57 [64] sts total.

Foot:
Work even in pattern as established until foot measures 5 cm/2 inches less than desired length, ending with Round 4 of the lace pattern.

Setup for toe: K to instep sts; *k2, m1, k3, m1, k2; rep from * 2 [3] more times; k to end of round. 63 [72] sts.

If required, rearrange your sts so that there are 31 [36] on your instep needle, and 32 [36] for the sole.

Shape Toe:
Work a decrease round: Knit to 3 sts before instep, k2tog, k2,ssk, k to last 3 sts of instep, k2tog, k2, ssk, k to end of round.
Work 3 rounds even.

Work a decrease round followed by 2 even rounds. Repeat these last three rounds once more.
Work a decrease round followed by 1 even round. Repeat these last two rounds twice more.
Work decrease rounds until 11 [8] stitches rem.

To finish, cut yarn, draw through the final stitches and tighten. Weave in ends.

These socks will benefit from blocking: get them soaking wet, roll them in a towel to wring out most of the water, and then put them on. Remove them immediately, and hang to dry.