“I’VE NEVER known a man who can resist a pair of knitted socks, and if they’re Fair Isle socks, then that’s a bonus,” says designer Jean Moss. “This cosy pair is robust enough to wear either with or without shoes; the decorative striping in the heel does a good job of reinforcing it. For a less pronounced striped effect, swap the colours in the chart around to give a consistent background throughout, as in the second version.” Jean has used Rowan Felted Tweed Aran for a rustic-looking fabric and a warm feel.
SIZE: Small: To fit a man's small foot, circumference 231/2cm (91/4in)
Medium: To fit a man's medium foot, circumference 261/4cm (101/2in)
YARN: Rowan Felted Tweed Aran (Aran weight; 50% merino, 25% rayon, 25% alpaca; 87m/95yds per 50g ball)
Blue socks (colourway 1): A Storm Blue (730); 2 x 50g balls B Pebble (720); 1 x 50g ball
Grey socks (colourway 2): A Dusty (728); 2 x 50g balls B Soot (729); 1 x 50g ball
NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES
1 set of 4mm (UK 8/US 6) DPNs
1 set of 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) DPNs
1 set of 5mm (UK 6/US 8) DPNs
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
TENSION
16 sts and 23 rows to 10cm over st st on 5mm needles
SOCK
Using 4.5mm needles and yarn A, cast on 40 sts using the long-tail cast-on method to give an elastic edge. Change to 4mm needles and divide the sts evenly onto three double-pointed needles (DPNs). Place marker at beg of round, then join in the round, being careful not to twist sts. Knit 1 round tbl in yarn A, then work 4 rows in bicoloured rib, taking care not to strand the yarn too tightly on the back of work:
Round 1: *K2 using yarn A, P2 using yarn B, rep from * around.
Change to 5mm needles, then work 17 rounds of Hugs Chart as foll:
Round 1: Work the 8 sts of Hugs Chart 5 times. Note: For a different look with no contrasting stripe, swap the colours in the chart as in Grey Socks.
When chart is completed, cont in st st using yarn A, working decs on first round as foll:
Size Small only: SSK, K4, (SSK, K5) 4 times, SSK, K4. 34 sts.
Size Large only: (SSK, K18) twice. 38 sts. When work measures 19cm from cast-on edge, turn the work inside out and work in opposite direction to finish sock, wrapping yarn when you change direction to avoid a hole.
DIVIDE FOR HEEL
Place the first 8 (9) sts and the last 9 (10) sts of the round onto one needle for the heel. Place the remaining 17 (19) sts onto another needle for the instep. Work heel sts:
Row 1: With RS facing, join both yarns. *K1A, K1B. Rep from * ending K1A. Turn.
Row 2: *P1A, P1B. Rep from * ending with P1A. Turn. Rep these 2 rows 5 more times. Note: Slip the first st on every row except the first.
TURN HEEL
Foundation row (RS): Work in pattern for 11 (13) sts, skpo (Sl 1, K1, psso), turn.
Row 1 (WS): Sl 1, work in pattern for 5 (7) sts, P2tog, turn.
Row 2 (RS): Sl 1, work in pattern for 5 (7) sts, skpo, turn. Rep rows 1 and 2 until all the sts have been worked. Turn work so that RS is facing for next row.
SHAPE GUSSETS
Place 17 (19) instep sts on one needle and the rem 7 (9) sts for heel on another needle. With RS facing and using yarn A, knit the heel sts, then:
Needle 1: Using a new needle and yarn A, pick up and knit 8 sts along the selvedge of the heel, using the loops made by slipping the first sts.
Needle 2: Using a new needle and yarn A, knit across the instep sts.
Needle 3: Using a new needle andyarn A, pick up and knit 8 sts along the selvedge of the heel, using the loops made by slipping the first sts. With the same needle, knit 4 (5) sts from the needle with the heel sts. Transfer the rem 3 (4) sts onto Needle 1.
Round 1
Needle 1: Using yarn A, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.
Needle 2: Using yarn A, knit.
Needle 3: Using yarn A, K1, skpo, knit to end.
Round 2: Knit.
Rep these 2 rounds until there are 34 (38) sts. Continue to knit in st st until work meas I61/2 (18) cm from start of gusset, or until foot length meas 5cm less than desired finished length.
SHAPETOE
Distribute sts on DPNs:
Needle 1: 8 (9) sts starting at the centre of the heel.
Needle 2: 17 (19) sts over the top of the foot.
Needle 3: 9 (10) rem sts.
Round 1
Needle 1: Using yarn B, knit to 3 sts from the end, K2tog, K1.
Needle 2: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts from the end of needle, K2tog, K1.
Needle 3: K1, SSK, knit to end of round.
Round2: Using yarn A, knit. Rep these last 2 rounds until there are 4 (5) sts on needle 1, 9 (11) sts on needle 2, and 5 (6) sts on needle 3. Continuing in stripes pattern, rep round 1 (dec round only) until there is 1 st on needle 1,3 sts on needle 2, and 2 sts on needle 3. Break yarn, leaving a 25cm tail. Thread a tapestry needle. Draw it through the remaining 6 sts. Tighten on inside to finish the toe. Securely weave ends into like colours.
