Basic Ladies Large Sock Fingering Weight Yarn

I use this pattern for Heather, Puja, Me, and Ethan (add 1 inch to foot length)

Basic Ladies Socks – (Fingering Weight Yarn)
9 inch circumference – 9/10 inch length

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 ball of foot and @ 9.25 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).
III. Heel
Re-arrange stitches onto 3 needles. (needle #1=40 stitches; needle #2=16 stitches; needle #3=16 stitches)
(Add reinforcing yarn if sock yarn nylon content is less than 25%)

Decreasing 4 stitches evenly spaced across, knit across 40 stitches on needle #1. =36 stitches (Decrease by k2tog every 9th and 10th stitches). Turn
Heel (36 rows)
Repeat the following 2 rows until 36 rows are completed (18 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 36 stitches)
Row 1 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 20, p2tog, purl 1, turn
Row 2 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 7, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 3 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 8, p2tog, purl 1, turn
Row 4 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 9, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 5 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 10, p2tog, purl 1 turn
Row 6 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 11, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 7 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 12, p2tog, purl 1, turn
Row 8 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 13, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 9 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 14, p2tog, purl 1, turn
Row 10 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 15, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 11 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 16, p2tog, purl 1, turn
Row 12 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 17, ssk, knit 1, turn
Row 13 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, purl 18, p2tog, purl 1, turn
Row 14 – Slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 19, ssk, knit 1 (22 stitches remain)
(Remove reinforcing yarn)
IV Gussets
With right side facing pick up 20 (18) 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 20 (18) stitches on side of heel. Knit 11 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
Work 1 round, decreasing 1 stitch on needles 1 & 4 (That is: on needle 1 knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1. Knit across 32 stitches on needles 2 & #. On needle 4, k1, ssk, knit to end.)

Repeat next two rows until 72 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 (8) inches from beginning (edge) of heel (additional 3 ½ – 4 ½ inches) (approx. 40 – 42 rows)
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 20 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 5 stitches of 1st needle and slip to last needle
Weave sole stitches to instep stitches using the kitchener stitch.
Weave in ends.