The Knitting Fiend

Design your sock

Select from the pulldown menu, then enter your show size in the box. The boxes below right will fill with your foot length and circumference. Man Woman Child Custom US Shoe Size: If you selected 'custom' from the pulldown menu, measure your foot length and that below.. Then measure the circumference and enter 90% of that value in the box for circumference. Foot length: inches. Sock foot circumference:
Enter ribbing length you want: For these socks, I recommend 1/2" of ribbing. Ribbing Length: inches.
Sock length: inches

Directions:

Your two socks will require approximately yards -- meters.

Special note: Because you are knitting a chevron stitch, you need a large number of stitches compared to stockinette. If this sock were knit in stockinette at the gauge you entered, I'd be telling you to cast on approximately stitches.

Special pattern stitches:

Your chevron pattern is worked over a multiple of stitches. For your chevron pattern, work rounds 1 and .

Note: When these socks are worked on DPNs, the needle tips should cross after the L1A. To keep the tip at that location, you must work the "L1" increase in the back (or side) of the loop of the stitch you worked on a previous (left hand) needle; after creating this stitch place it on the previous (left hand) needle. This is illustrated in Lifted Increase for Zag Socks.

Warning: I have only knit a version following instuctions containing round 2B. I will eventually knit a pair in a different yarn weight to fine tune the instructions for 2A. (The calculations should be correct, but I will need to double check some specific instructions about organizing stitches when working the flap and gusset. The organization follows the principle: "keep the chevrons symmetric over the instep".)

• Begin wrong side facing, working over stitches on this needle only (that is, the inside of the sock should face you.)
• Row 1: Slip 1, then purl turn; right side now faces you. (I slip the first stitch as to purl.)
• Row 2: * Slip 1, knit 1 repeat from *; turn. (Note, I slip first stitch as to knit, and all others as to purl.)
• Repeat rows 1 and 2.

Knitting Directions

• Cast on stitches. Divide on four needles placing 1/4 of the stitches on each needle. Join.
• Ribbing: Knit 2 x 2 ribbing for inches.
• On next round, knit 1 stitch, then begin knitting following the directions for row 1 the chevron stitch pattern, but increase stitches evenly -- stitches. After increasing, distribute so 1/4th of stitches are on each needle; the first stitch on each needle will correspond to the first stitch in the chevron pattern repeat.
• Leg: Knit in chevron pattern stitch until length measures inches from cast on, end by completing a "row 2" type round.
(Note, to be sure both socks are the same length, you may wish to note the number or rounds knit.)

• Work up to the '|' symbol in the next round of the chevron stitch. If you are working a "row2B" type pattern, knit 1 more stitch. Place the stitches just knit on a stitch holder. These will be the instep stitches are not worked for the time being.
• Collect the remaining stitches on one needle. You will begin knitting rows back and forth over these stitches only.
• Prep/ Decrease row: Right side facing. Knit all stitches on working needles, decreasing evenly by sprinkling in a few k2togs -- stitches remain. Turn work.
• Start working heel stitch beginning with row 1 of the heel stitch pattern. Work pairs of rows times; end after a knit row. (The heel flap will measure approximately inches in length.)

• 1st row: slip 1, purl , p2tog, p1; turn; ( stitches will remain on the left hand needle when you turn.)
• 2nd row: slip 1, knit , ssk, k1; turn; ( stitches will remain on the left hand needle when you turn.)
• 3rd row: slip 1, purl , p2tog; p1; turn; ( stitches will remain on the left hand needle.)
• 4th row: slip 1, knit ssk, k1; turn; ( stitches will remain on the left hand needle.)
• Continue working pairs of rows in pattern established until stitches remain on the left hand needle when you would need to turn.
• If one stitch remained on the left needle when you needed to turn after the knit row, work another pair of rows, but skip the extra knit or purl after the decrease. (That is, end with an ssk on the knit row and a p2Tog on the purl row. You'll be forced to do this because that stitch won't be there!)
• You should now have stitches on your needle.

• With knit side facing, the yarn is dangling on the left side of the heel flap. Call the needle holding the flap stitches needle "0".
• Pick Up Stitches: With another needle, knit up stitches along the left side of heel flap; (you will be picking up one stitch for every slipped stitch on the edge). Call the needle holding the stitches you picked up "needle 1".
• With another needle, knit across the stitches you set aside for the instep. Call the needle holding these stitches needle 2. (This is working a "row 1" type row in chevron pattern.)
• With another needle, pick up stitches along the other side of the heel flap. Call this needle 3.
• Now, still using the fourth needle, knit stitches off needle "0". (You have reached the center of the heel. I like to hang a safety pin or string to mark this.) Now, slide the stitches still on needle "0" to needle "1".
• If you are knitting pattern "B", slip 1 stitch from each edge of needle two to needles 1 and 3 -- stitches on needle 2.

• Round 1:
1. Needle 1: knit to last 2 stitches; k2tog.
2. Needle 2: knit stitches in row 2 of chevron pattern, as established. (The first stitch on needle 2 will be an L1B. )
3. Needle 3: SSK. Knit to end of needle.
• Round 2:
  1. Knit all stitches on Needles 1 and 3, work stitches on needle 2 in chevron pattern.
• Repeat these two rows until stitches remain. Afterwards, work even in pattern established, but slip the final stitch on needle 1 and the first stitch on needle 2 every other round. This will create a decorative line coming out of the gussett.

• Work until foot measures inches measured from the point where you picked up the stitches on the side of the heel flap.
• If you are working a "row2B" type chevron, slip edge stitches on needles 1 and 3 back onto needle 2.
• On next round, knit all stitches, but decrease stitches evenly over the instep stitches on needle 2 -- stitches remain on needle 2.
• Knit all stitches in every round until foot measures inches measured from the point where you picked up the stitches on the heel. (The toe adds inches to the foot; the heel turn adds inches.)

• First row:
  1. Needle 1: knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
  2. Needle 2: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
  3. Needle 3: k1, ssk, knit to end of row.
• Second round: knit all stitches.
• Repeat last two rows until stitches remain. Knit stitches from first needle onto third needle . You will then have stitches on each of two needles.
• Graft the two sets of stitches together to finish the toe.