Stitch-n-Snitch

Nancy Drew’s Socks

Needles: Size 2 double-point needles, set of 5
Gauge: 8 stitches/inch
Notions: Crochet Hook Steel 4 (2mm), Darning Needle
Yarn: Approximately 230 yds of sock yarn to fit women’s 7 shoe

Pattern Key:
CO: Cast on
K: Knit
P: Purl
S1pwise: Slip 1 stitch as if to purl
K2tog: Knit 2 stitches together, making them one stitch
Ssk: Slip 1 stitch as if to purl, slip another stitch as if to purl, then knit into the back of the stitches, making them one stitch
P2tog: Purl 2 stitches together, making them one stitch
* *: Repeat action as specified

Leg: CO 64 stitches over 2 double-point needles (referred to hereafter as “needles”), divide stitches over 4 needles and join round. Knit 1 inch of k2, p2 ribbing (approximately 12 rows), then knit 2 inches in stockinette stitch (approximately 24 rows), for a total leg length of 3 inches.

Heel Flap: (Turning Row) Knit 16, turn, S1pwise, p31.
Row 1: *S1pwise, k1* across row.
Row 2: S1pwise, p across row.

Repeat these 2 rows 15 more times, for a total of 32 heel flap rows.

Turn Heel:
Row 1: S1pwise, k17, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 2: S1pwise, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 3: S1pwise, k to 1 stitch before gap, ssk (1 from each side of gap), k1, turn.
Row 4: S1pwise, p to 1 stitch before gap, p2tog (1 from each side of gap), p1, turn.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all heel stitches have been worked, ending with a ssk on the last Row 3 and a p2tog on the last Row 4 of the heel. (You are now ready to work a right-side row and 18 stitches will remain after turning heel.)

On a new needle, knit across 9 stitches so that you’re halfway across heel. All following rounds will begin halfway across the heel.

Gusset: On a new needle K9, then pick up 17 stitches on the heel flap with a crochet hook. Knit across instep stitches on their existing needles. On a new needle, pick up 17 stitches on the heel flap with a crochet hook, then k9.

(Before you start the gusset decreases, make sure there are 26 stitches on the 1st needle, 16 instep stitches on the 2nd needle, 16 instep stitches on the 3rd needle and 26 stitches on the 4th needle with new rounds beginning at the middle back of the heel. Adjust stitches if necessary.)

Decreases: (Set-up Rows) K22, k2tog, k2tog; knit instep stitches; ssk, ssk, k22. Knit next row straight (with no decreases) in stockinette stitch.

Row 1: Knit to 3 stitches before end of 1st needle, then k2tog, k1. Knit instep stitches in pattern on the 2nd and 3rd needles. K1, ssk at beginning of 4th needle, then knit to the end.
Row 2: Knit row straight (with no decreases) in stockinette stitch.

Repeat these 2 rows 7 more times, then do 1 additional decrease row (Row 1), for a total of 64 stitches remaining (16 on each needle).

Foot: Knit straight (with no decreases) in stockinette stitch until approximately 2 inches less than desired foot length.

Wedge Toe: Make sure there are 16 stitches on each needle before beginning toe shaping.

Row 1: Knit to 3 stitches before end of 1st needle, then k2tog, k1. K1, ssk at beginning of 2nd needle, then knit to end. Knit to 3 stitches before end of 3rd needle, then k2tog, k1. K1, ssk at beginning of 4th needle, then knit to end.
Row 2: Knit row straight (with no decreases) in stockinette stitch.

Repeat these 2 rows 7 more times (until 32 stitches remain), then DO ONLY THE DECREASE ROW (Row 1) 4 more times for a total of 16 stitches remaining (4 on each needle). Break yarn, leaving about a 10-inch tail.

Grafting: Option 1: Kitchener Stitch: (Set-up Row) Rearrange stitches onto 2 needles (with front of sock toe on 1 needle and back of sock toe on the other needle. (You will need to knit across 4 stitches on back of sock toe in order for yarn to be at the left side of the 2nd needle for grafting the toe.)

Use Kitchener Stitch to graft toe closed.

Grafting: Option 2: Gathered Toe: With a darning needle, slip stitches off of double-point needles starting at the middle back of heel going left and ending at your starting point, and pull them tightly to gather them together. Secure yarn end tightly inside sock.

Weave in ends at toe and at cast-on edge, and block socks.

© 2006 Me

Items made from this pattern are for personal use only and may not be sold for any reason.