The Needle and the Damage Done: Noro Stripy Socks

I was so obsessed with watching the colors change from the two different colorways that the knitting of these was totally addictive. I finished them in 5 days (kitchnered the toe of the second on Thursday night!)

They clash, they don't match, they're totally ugly, and they're awesome. My new favorite pair of socks. I want to knit more. In fact, I might cast on for a "matching" pair in Daisy's size. (My husband's comment when he saw me knitting these in the webcam the other night: "Why would you waste your time knitting something that looks like a mistake?") I love them!!! (And I've sent him these pictures. So there.)

Wanna knit them too? I thought so. Here's the pattern:

Noro Stripy Socks
(Queue yours up here!)

Size:
Woman's medium (US size 7-9. Mine were knit to fit the length of my 8-1/2 sized foot.)

Gauge:
15 sts per 2 inches
27 rows per 2 inches

Needles:
2.5 mm (approx US size 1-1/2) 32” or longer circulars

Yarn:
Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn, two colorways of your choice (I used 188 and 164). You will only use the equivalent of one ball, so you'll definitely have enough for a second pair, should you so choose. Or you could use those two half-balls to combine with two other colorways for endless possibilities!

Abbreviations:
CO = cast on
K = knit
P = purl
tbl = through the back loop
sts = stitches
stst = stockinette stitch
MC = main color
CC = contrasting color
ssk = slip, slip, knit the two stitches together
p2tog = purl two together
k2tog = knit two together

1x1 twisted rib pattern stitch:
K1 tbl, p1, repeat to end.

NOTE:
These were knit on one circular needle, magic loop style, so the pattern is written as such. However, you can easily substitute needle style of your choice.

Pattern:
CO 64 sts. Join in round. Work 1x1 twisted rib pattern stitch for 12 rows. Knit one row plain (all knit sts).

Switch to CC, work in st st 4 rows. Switch to MC, work st st 4 rows.

Continue in this manner until you have 10 stripes each of MC and CC, or until leg is as long as you want it.

Turn your work to prepare for heel-flap.

Begin slip-stitch heel flap:
Row 1: Slip 1, purl 31 sts.
Row 2: Turn, *slip 1, k1. Repeat from * until all 32 sts are used up.
Repeat these 2 rows (ending on row 2) until you have 19 slipped sts along edge of heel flap.

Turn heel:
Slip 1, p16, p2tog, p1, turn.
Slip 1, k 5, ssk, k 1, turn.
Slip 1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn.
Slip 1, k7, ssk, k1, turn.
Slip 1, p8, p2tog, p1, turn.
Slip 1, k9, ssk, k1, turn.
Slip 1, p10, p2tog, p1, turn.
Slip 1, k11, ssk, k1, turn.
Slip 1, p12, p2tog, p1, turn.
Slip 1, k13, ssk, k1, turn.
Slip 1, p14, p2tog, p1, turn.
Slip 1, k15, ssk, k1, turn.
Slip 1, p16, p2tog, p1, turn.
Slip 1, k15, ssk, k1, 18 stitches remain.

Pick up 23 sts up the side of heel flap (or as many as needed to close up any holes in corners, etc.). Knit across instep sts, pick up 23 sts back down other side of heel (or however many to match the number from first side). You are now back to knitting st st in the round.

Gusset decrease rows:
Row 1: Knit across heel sts and back up heel flap to top corner and last 3 sts on that side. K2tog, k1. Knit across instep sts. First three sts of other side heel flap: k1, ssk.
Row 2: Knit plain.

Continue to knit these two rows until you are back to 64 sts total.

Make sure that your sts are evenly divided in half between each side of the “magic loop”, and knit st st, continuing to maintain stripe pattern until sock measures the proper length (for my size US 8-1/2 foot, I knit 7-3/4”).

Decrease for toe:
Row 1: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts on first half, ssk, k1. Repeat for second half of sts.
Row 2: K plain

Repeat these two rows until 12 sts remain on each side, 24 sts total. Kitchner toe closed. Weave in ends and lightly block (Noro softens nicely with a good soak in some wool wash – add a tiny bit of hair conditioner if they still feel a bit scratchy.)

Enjoy!

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If you want to use this pattern for anything -- selling your knitted socks, printing it out for your friends, whatever, that's fine. Just be sure this copyright information and my blog address are always included.

~Faith A D
flashbangfibers.blogspot.com

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