Basic Ladies Medium Sock Fingering Weight Yarn

I use this pattern for Helen and Meghan

Basic Ladies Socks – (Fingering Weight Yarn) 2
9 inch circumference ankle/8.5 circumference ball of foot – 9 inch length
(This pattern combines two sock sizes.)

Materials: Fingering weight yarn – at least 400 yards (425 yards to increase foot length to 10 inches)

Needles – set of 5 double-pointed needles – sizes 2 and 0
Yarn – Any fingering weight
Gauge – @ 9 stitches/inch on size 2 needles

Pattern: For woman’s foot @ 9 inch circumference at ankle and 8.5 ball of foot and @ 9.5 inches in length.
(I use the Double-Needle Cast-On on pages 132-133 of The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt. This sock is knit on size 2 needles. The size 0 needle is used only for the cast-on and is removed before the stitches are joined for the first row. This provides a very expandable edge.)

I. Cast on and ribbing
Cast on 72 stitches
Divide – 18 stitches on each of 4 needles
With 5th needle, join, being careful not to twist stitches, and knit 1, purl 1 for 3 ½ inches (approximately 40 – 44 rows)
II. Leg
Continue in stockinette stitch (knit every row - in circular knitting) to 7 inches from beginning (approx. 40 rows). Decrease last row by 8 stitches – (k2tog every 8th and 9th stitch) 64 stitches
III. Heel
Re-arrange stitches onto 3 needles. (needle #1=32 stitches; needle #2=16 stitches; needle #3=16 stitches)
(Add reinforcing yarn if sock yarn nylon content is less than 25%)
Knit across 32 stitches of instep.
Heel (36 rows)
Repeat the following 2 rows until 34 rows are completed (17 rows each)
Row 1 – (wrong side) Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl to end of row, turn.
Row 2 – *With yarn in back (wyib) slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 1 stitch* Repeat between astericks (*) across to end of row.
Turn heel (on 32 stitches)
Row 1 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 17, p2tog, purl 1, turn
Row 2 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 5, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 3 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 6, p2tog, purl 1, turn
Row 4 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 7, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 5 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 8, p2tog, purl 1 turn
Row 6 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 9, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 7 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 10, p2tog, purl 1, turn
Row 8 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 11, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 9 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 12, p2tog, purl 1, turn
Row 10 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 13, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 11 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 14, p2tog, purl 1, turn
Row 12 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 15, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 13 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 16, p2tog, turn
Row 14 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 16, ssk, (18 stitches remain)
(Remove reinforcing yarn)
IV Gussets
With right side facing pick up 17 stitches on side edge of heel (needle #1)
Work across 32 instep stitches, dividing stitches onto 2 needles (needle #2 & #3)
With free needle (needle #4), pick up 17 stitches on side of heel. Knit 9 stitches from first needle onto fourth needle. Slide remaining stitches to first needle. Replace starting marker at center of heel (This is a move from beginning of round for leg – I usually place it after the 2nd stitch)
V Instep
Repeat next two rows until 64 stitches remain:
Round 1 – Knit
Round 2 – Needle 1 – Knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1
Needles 2 & 3 – Knit
Needle 4 – Knit 1, ssk, knit to end.
VI Foot
Continue stockinette stitch to 7 inches from beginning (edge) of heel (additional 3 ½ – 4 ½ inches) (approx. 45 - 49 rows – compensate for shorter instep by adding rows for length)
VII Toe (Add reinforcing yarn if nylon content of yarn is less than 25%)
Move stitches so that each needle has 18 stitches, starting at bottom of sole as needle #1
Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 16 stitches remain. (Check to be sure toe is in proper alignment with heel – don’t ask)
Round 1 – Needle #1 – Knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1
Needles #2 & #3 (this is easier if needles 2&3 are combined) – Knit 1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches of needle 3, k2tog, k1
Needle #4 – Knit 1, ssk, knit to end.
Round 2 – Knit
IX Finish
Knit 4 stitches of 1st needle and slip to last needle
Weave sole stitches to instep stitches using the kitchener stitch.
Weave in ends.