Striped Melon Socks

 

 Made available August 30th, 2014

PDF of pattern available

Striped Melon Socks are a solution to any different colored yet coordinating 50g sock yarn skeins. The yardages were insufficient for anything above ankle socks, so I thought, “Why not make a pair of striped socks?” Looking far and wide, I couldn’t find a striped sock pattern, as strange as that sounds, so I made my own pattern. The stripes repeat every four rows, but you can adjust the striping length any way you’d like.

Supplies:

[MC] Louet Gems Fingering Weight [100% Merino; 185yds/169m per 50g skein]; color: Fern Green; 1 skein

[CC] Louet Gems Fingering Weight [100% Merino; 185yds/169m per 50g skein]; color: Willow; 1 skein

24” US #2/3mm circular needle for magic looping OR

A set of five US #2/3mm DPNs

Scissors

Yarn needle

Split ring or stitch marker (to keep track of where you are in rows)

GAUGE:

 28 sts/ 44 rows = 4 inches of stockinette stitch

Instructions:

·       You can use any color you’d like. J I just happened to use green since those two skeins happened to be in my stash.

·       I find that if you use two skeins of the same type of yarn, it will look more uniform.

·       I used US #2 needles, but if your feet are smaller or larger, needle size change is recommended.

Usually when knitting stripes, a “jog” join will form through the start of the rows. I have found this tutorial for a “jogless” join to be the most helpful: http://jlyarnworks.blogspot.com/2009/02/tutorial-jogless-join_22.html

However, please do not move the beginning of the row (needle) as the jogless join goes around the sock. Keep all the stitches where they are from the beginning.

***Instructions are in for DPN usage, but you can use circulars as well.

PATTERN:

CUFF:

Long-tail CO 64 sts (16 on each needle) with color A.

K2, P2 for 3 rows of color A.

K2, P2 for 4 rows of color B.

K2, P2 for 4 rows of color A.

K2, P2 for 4 rows of color B.

LEG:

Pattern of colors:

Knit 4 rows of color A

Knit 4 rows of color B

Repeat the rows until the leg is as long as you want it to be (save 2” for the heel). Before you start the heel, only knit 2 rows of the opposite color you want to do the heel in. I knitted 2 rows with color B

Ideally, you should repeat the pattern of colors long enough until the jogless join reaches before the 2^nd needle.

SHORT ROW HEEL:

Knit first half of stitches with (32 sts).

Now working flat with the last 32 stitches and working with color A only.

Row 1 (RS): k to last stitch, wrap & turn.

Row 2 (WS): p to last stitch, wrap & turn.

Row 3 (RS): k to last wrapped stitch, w&t.

Row 4 (WS): p to last wrapped stitch, w&t.

Repeat rows 3&4 until there are 9 right wrapped stitches, 14 unwrapped stitches, and 9 left wrapped stitches (18 wrapped stitches in all) in total.

Row 5: k to first wrapped stitch, k the stitch w/ wrap, w&t

Row 6: p to first wrapped stitch, p the stitch w/ wrap, w&t

Repeat rows 5&6 until there is only one wrapped stitch on each side (two total)

Row 7: Switch to color B. k to last stitch, knit stitch with wraps, and continue working on instep. REMEMBER to pick up the first stitch after the instep.

Knit 1 more row in color B.

Continue on to foot.

FOOT:

Pattern of colors:

Knit 4 rows of color A

Knit 4 rows of color B

Continue with the pattern of colors until sock is 2” from the desired length.

Now work on the Toe Decrease.

TOE DECREASE:

Switch to the opposite color, and cut off the color you’ve just been working with.

*Knit to 3 stitches before the start of the instep.

K2tog, k1.

Next needle: k1, ssk, knit rest of needle.

*repeat to finish row.

Knit next row

Row 1:

1^st needle: K to 3 sts before end of needle, k2tog, k1.

2^nd needle: k1, ssk, knit rest of needle

3^rd needle: K to 3 sts before end of needle, k2tog, k1.

4^th needle: k1, ssk, knit rest of needle

Row 2:

Knit

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until there are 28 stitches (7 on each needle) left.

Knit off next needle. Now put half the stitches on one needle and half on the other (14 sts per needle)

FINISHING:

Kitchener st the rest of the stitches on the needle.

Repeat pattern for the second sock. Enjoy your Striped Melon socks after finishing (remember to sew in the ends)! :)

Please do not try to steal and say this was your pattern, no profit for finished product or pattern that is FREE.