Cable Socks Pattern #291

All sizes

MATERIAL:
2 balls Sock yarn 3 ply (1 oz. ball) for short socks
3 balls Sock yarn 8 ply (1 oz. ball) for long socks
1 set sock needles each No. 1 and No. 2
1 card Nylon for heel and toe reinforcement

GAUGE: 7½ sts. = 1 inch

Cast on 68 sts. with No. 1 needles, join and work in ribbing K 2, P 2 for 2 inch, for short socks (3 inch, for long socks). Incr. 2 sts. in last round of ribbing. Change to No. 2 needles and pattern. 1st, 2nd and 3rd rounds: * P 1, K 8, P 1, K 4, repeat from * across round. 4th round: * P 1, slip next 4 sts. to an extra needle and hold in front of work, K next 4 sts., K the 4 sts. from extra needle (a cable made), repeat from * across round. 5th to 11th rounds incl.: like 1st round. 12th round: like 4th round. Continue to work this way (cable the K 8 sts. every 8th round) until sock measures 7 inch, for short socks (10 inch, for long socks). Divide the sts. as follows: Slip next 32 sts. (starting with a K 4 rib and ending with a K 4 rib) to one needle for heel and divide the rem. 38 sts. on 2 needles for instep. Work over heel needle only and attach Nylon. 1st row: * Slip 1, K 1, repeat from * across row. 2nd row: P across row. Repeat these 2 rows for 28 rows. Now start to shape heel (right side facing you), Slip 1, K 17, K 2 tog., K 1, turn. Slip 1, P 5, P 2 tog., P J, turn. Slip 1, K 6, K 2 tog., K 1, turn. Slip 1, P 7, P 2 tog., P 1, turn. Slip 1, K 8, K 2 tog., K 1, turn. Slip 1, P 9, P 2 tog., P 1, turn. Continue this way, always working 1 st. more on each row until 18 sts. are left on heel needle. Cut off Nylon. With another needle (first needle), pick up and K 16 sts. along one side of heel. Work across instep sts. in pattern (2nd needle). With an­other needle (3rd needle), pick up and K 16 sts. along other side of heel and K half of heel sts. to same needle. Slip the rem. heel sts. to first needle, end at center of sole. Decr. for instep as follows: 1st round: On first needle K to within 3 sts., K 2 tog., K 1, work across all instep sts. in pattern. On 3rd needle: K 1, slip 1, K 1, and p.s.s.o. the K st. K to end. 2nd round: Work even keeping pattern on instep needle. Repeat these 2 rounds until there are 17 sts. on 1st and 3rd needles. Work even until foot measures from tip of heel 8 inch, for size 10; 8½ inch, for size 10½, or 2 inch, less than desired length when finished. Dis­continue pattern on instep needle and decr. 4 sts. at even intervals across this needle. There are now 68 sts. in round. Work even for 2 rounds. Start to decrease for toe: Attach Nylon. First round: On first needle, K to within 3 sts., K 2 tog., K 1. On 2nd needle, K 1, slip 1, K 1, p.s.s.o. the K St., K across to within 3 sts., K 2 tog., K 1. On 3rd needle, K 1, slip 1, K 1, p.s.s.o. the K st., K to end. 2nd round: K around. Repeat these 2 rounds until 20 sts. are left over. Weave sts. tog. Steam lightly.

This pattern was originally published in Fashions in Wool #69, New Sock and has passed into the public domain: the source states these designs "are no longer protected by copyright and you are free to do whatever you would like to do with them." It is reproduced here verbatim, including original vintage terminology, abbreviations, and measurements, which may differ from modern conventions. You can view the original transcription at freevintageknitting.com.