Knee Socks Pattern #403

Sizes 8 ½ - 10 ½

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

GAUGE: 8 sts. = 1 inch

With No. 1 needles cast on 72 sts. Join, being careful not to twist sts. Work in ribbing K 2, P 2 for 2 inch. Change to No. 2 needles and work in plain K for 3 inch. Mark beg. of round. * Next round: K 2 tog., work all around to last 2 sts. of round, slip 1, K 1, and p.s.s.o. Work even for 1 inch. Repeat from * three times more. Work even until the entire sock measures 12 inch. or any des. length to heel. Divide the sts. as follows: Mark the last decr. as center back and slip 20 sts. from each side of center on one needle for heel (40 sts.). The rem. 32 sts. divide on 2 needles for instep. Work over heel needle only and attach Nylon. K across row and decr. to 32 sts. P back. 1st row: * slip 1, K 1, repeat from * across row. 2nd row: P across row. Repeat these 2 rows for 24 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 1, 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 (1st needle), pick up and K 12 sts. along one side of heel. Work across instep sts. (2nd needle). With another needle (3rd needle), pick up and K 12 sts. along other side of heel and K half of heel sts. to same needle. Slip the rem. heel sts. to 1st needle, end at center of sole. Decr. for instep as follows: 1st round: On 1st needle K to within 3 sts., K 2 tog., K 1, work across all instep sts. On 3rd needle: K 1, slip 1, K 1, and p.s.s.o. the K st. K to end. 2nd round: Work even. Repeat these 2 rounds until there are 60 sts. in round. Work even until foot measures from tip of heel 6 ½ inch. for size 8 ½; 7 inch. for size 9, 7 ½ inch. for size 9 ½; 8 inch. for size 10; 8 ½ inch. for size 10 ½, or 2 inch. less than desired length when finished. Slip 1 st. from each end of instep needle to 1st and 3rd needle. Decrease for toe as follows: Attach Nylon. 1st round: On 1st 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 16 sts. are left over. Weave sts. tog. Steam lightly.

This pattern was originally published in Fashions in Wool #77, Socks and Mittens 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.